[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 135 (Thursday, July 15, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41157-41161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17203]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Cleantech Trade & Investment Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce's International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS), and 
Economic Development Administration (EDA) are holding the first ever 
U.S. Clean Technology Trade & Investment Mission to Lyon, France, 
November 29-December 2, 2010 and to Brussels, Belgium, December 2-4, 
2010. This joint mission will be led by senior Department of Commerce 
officials Brian McGowan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic 
Development, and Karen Zens, Deputy Assistant Secretary for 
International Operations (OIO) of the USFCS. This mission is designed 
to advance President Obama's economic growth initiatives and Secretary 
Locke's goal of simplifying access to the Department of Commerce's 
diverse suite of resources-all for the purpose of employment 
generation. This initiative will support both bureaus' job creation 
goals by increasing exports and attracting foreign direct investment 
(FDI), placing a particular emphasis on the clean technology sector.
    This mission is especially significant as it includes, for the 
first time ever, both U.S. companies and delegates from U.S. 
communities. Please see the section titled ``Participation 
Requirements'' below for more information on community delegates and 
selection criteria that will be used to evaluate applicants. While 
traditional trade missions are limited to business-to-business 
connections, the addition of communities in this model provides much 
broader access to U.S. companies by leveraging regional business 
networks. Community delegates will

[[Page 41158]]

focus on clean technologies as a key component of their regional 
strategies for increasing exports and attracting FDI. Therefore, this 
new model allows the mission to advance a variety of Presidential and 
Department of Commerce priorities simultaneously, including job 
creation, export development, attracting FDI, building the green 
economy, and advancing regional innovation clusters.

Commercial Setting

France

    France is an economic and political leader in the Eurozone due to 
its size, location, large economy, membership in European 
organizations, and energetic diplomacy. With a GDP of $2.865 
trillion,\1\ France is the world's fifth-largest economy. France's 
economy also ranks the second highest in trade volume for Western 
Europe (after Germany).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ All currencies given are in U.S. dollars.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Both trade and investment between the U.S. and France are strong 
and are key factors for companies and communities to participate in the 
mission. On average, over 1 billion dollars in commercial transactions 
take place between France and the U.S. every day, with the U.S. being 
France's sixth largest supplier and its sixth largest customer. France 
ranks as the United States' eighth largest trading partner for total 
trade. Currently, there are approximately 2,300 French subsidiaries in 
the U.S. that provide more than 520,000 jobs and that generate an 
estimated $235 billion in turnover annually. As for investment, the 
U.S. is the top destination for French investments worldwide. In 2008, 
French direct investment inflow to the U.S. was approximately $14 
billion. Foreign firms have invested in the U.S. through acquisitions 
and with greenfield investments. Between 2004 and 2008, France's FDI 
stock in the United States increased from $138 billion to over $163 
billion. This makes this mission an ideal platform for companies and 
communities to position themselves for investment and export successes. 
Further, French FDI to the U.S. supports almost 500,000 jobs. 
Concurrently, the U.S. is the largest foreign direct investor in 
France, employing over 650,000 French citizens with aggregate 
investment estimated at $75 billion in 2008. This makes the U.S. more 
attractive to French investors and foreign direct investment.

Renewable Energy

    France possesses vast renewable energy resources, including wind, 
geothermal energy, and biomass, all of which have shown substantial 
growth in recent years. France is also currently ranked 2nd highest in 
the EU in terms of biofuel production and use. A continued increase in 
the level of production helps consolidate the nation's position. Both 
tax reductions and capital grants are in place to promote biofuels. In 
addition, major potential exists in the area of solid biomass. Biomass 
accounts for two thirds of all the renewables used in France today and 
hydro power for another third.
    As France's government sets new goals in terms of green energy, 
U.S. communities have a window of opportunity to promote their regional 
businesses to play a pivotal role in providing the means to increase 
renewable energy capacity. Wind and solar power especially are at the 
core of a new push by the French government to increase the renewable 
share of total energy consumption from 6.7 percent in 2004 to 20 
percent by 2020. Also, installed capacity for photovoltaic (PV) power 
is to increase from 32.7 MW in 2006--about 100 times less than 
Germany--to 3,000 MW by 2020. In addition, 5 million solar thermal 
units are to be installed in buildings by 2020, 80 percent of these in 
homes. All these factors considered create a large market of potential 
buyers for U.S. businesses, and therefore provide strong job creation 
potential for U.S. communities that are working to develop regional 
innovation clusters focused on the cleantech sector.

Water Resources Equipment and Services

    One of the ``best prospects'' for U.S. business in France is water 
resources equipment and services. The total French market for water 
treatment equipment and related services is estimated to be worth $23 
billion. A stable economy and financial institutions, stronger European 
Union (E.U.) regulations, and greater public awareness and the 
increasing costs associated with polluting have played a major role in 
an expanding market for water treatment equipment and services. In 
addition, greater interest in complying with environmental regulations 
by national and local government officials has stimulated this market. 
Despite the current financial and economic challenges, the water sector 
is still expected to grow at a stable rate and provide continued market 
opportunities in a number of areas.
    Best prospects include wastewater sludge treatment; installation 
and maintenance of stand-alone sewage treatment tanks; remote 
monitoring technology; and membranes and water filters. Non point 
source pollution management and water conservation including leak 
detection and reclamation are becoming of major importance.

Pollutec

    Pollutec is an International Exhibition of Environmental Equipment, 
Technology and Services for industry and local authorities. Pollutec is 
a key exhibition for U.S. companies and community delegates to attend 
as it is the world's leading event for the environmental market with 
8,422 professionals from 110 countries all in search of comprehensive 
solutions to the environmental and economic challenges today. This 
creates the perfect atmosphere to meet industry professionals and key 
players in order to create expansion opportunities and to publicize 
products and regions. In its 24th edition, Pollutec will also bring 
together 2,400 exhibitors offering products across a range of sectors 
and 75,000 trade visitors from industry, local authorities, 
construction and the service sector. This year especially the 
exhibition has seen a shift in its visitors' prime focus with 39.7% of 
the visitors interested in energy, more specifically renewables, energy 
saving and efficiency, combating greenhouse gases, and urban mobility. 
Companies and communities will be amongst the first to capture this 
shift in focus and turn it into tangible exports sales and FDI.
    For four days, U.S. community delegates and companies will network 
with potential trading and investment partners in the cleantech sector 
through customized one-on-one meetings with foreign companies arranged 
through a DOC/Pollutec partnership. Meanwhile, they will also learn 
about the latest cleantech trends and technologies through the Pollutec 
exhibition, which will feature all the techniques for prevention and 
treatment of various sources of pollution and more generally the 
preservation and implementation of environmental preservation and 
sustainable development. Pollutec offers an assortment of exhibition 
sectors including: Treatment of pollutant gases; analysis, measurement 
and monitoring; energy and greenhouse gases; renewable energy; 
CO2 collection and storage; eco-management; biofuel; low 
consumption vehicles; electric vehicles; industrial, natural, and 
sanitary risks; services and

[[Page 41159]]

sustainable development; waste treatment and services; and recycling. 
An outstanding conference program will also run parallel including 320 
seminars, presentations, and technical conferences by experts and 
associations.

Belgium

    Densely populated Belgium is located at the heart of Europe's most 
industrialized region. Belgium per capita GDP ranks among the world's 
highest with a total of $390.2 billion in 2008. The U.S. ranks as 
Belgium's 5th principal trading partner; with Belgium ranked 18th for 
largest U.S. trading partner. The Belgian market is small enough that a 
huge European-wide commitment to a new product is not necessary, yet 
diverse and competitive enough that it offers a representative sample 
of potential buyers and competitors. Belgium's trade advantages are 
derived from its central geographic location and its highly skilled, 
multilingual, and productive workforce. With a total of 10.5 million 
people, the population density is the second highest in Europe, after 
the Netherlands, and is heavily reliant on international trade for its 
prosperity. Belgium's central location in the wealthy region of Europe 
makes the country an ideal gateway for exports to Europe. Within a 
radius of 300 miles, 140 million EU consumers can be reached 
(equivalent to almost 50% of the U.S. population) representing 60% of 
Europe's purchasing power. The government has focused its national 
reform program on key priorities intended to achieve long-term 
sustainable growth prospects, such as protecting the environment.
    Belgium is one of the top 20 markets for U.S. environmental 
exports. U.S. green exports to Belgium grew by 50% since 2002 and in 
2009, U.S. green exports reached \1/2\; billion dollars (40% water, 30% 
air pollution control, 24% solid waste, and 6% other). These exports 
include products such as chemicals and supplies, and services such as 
consulting and engineering. Some of Belgian's leading commercial 
sectors for U.S. export and investment are solid waste disposal, water 
and wastewater, air, green building, and renewable energy.
    The total stock of Belgian FDI in the U.S. was $18.6 billion in 
2008, making it the 15th largest direct investor in the U.S. The flow 
of FDI from Belgium to the U.S. was negative $5.8 billion in 2008, a 
substantial decrease from the $13.9 million inflow to the U.S. in 2007. 
However, overall between 2004 and 2008, Belgian FDI stock in the United 
States increased from $12.6 billion to $18.6 billion. Belgian FDI in 
the U.S. supports 141,000 jobs.

Invest In America

    Belgium has also hosted two Department of Commerce Invest In 
America (IIA) events, and those events resulted in greater success than 
other IIA events in any other country to date. The first IIA event from 
just a year and a half ago has produced five investment successes in 
California, Indiana, Virginia and Florida. However there are other 
successes that have not yet been recorded making it an even larger 
success. The most recent IIA event held a few months ago has already 
produced three investments. The Council of American States in Europe 
(C.A.S.E.), which helps European companies locate production sites or 
sales and distribution operations for their products and services in 
the U.S., has stated emphatically that Brussels holds the most 
qualified participants and generates the most investment results 
compared with other investment roadshows. The past events have 
attracted participants from the Netherlands, Germany, France and the 
UK, and we expect similarly broad participation in this portion of the 
mission as well.

Water & Wastewater

    In 2009, 40% of U.S. environmental exports to Belgium are related 
to water and wastewater. This equaled over USD 200 million in products 
and services. Trends and best prospects for this sector are 
infrastructure projects to build wastewater treatment plants or more 
specifically small--scale ``start to finish'' wastewater treatment 
projects or water filtration systems for drinking water.

Solid Waste Disposal and Treatment

    As Belgium faces numerous pollution problems, they realize that 
proper management of solid waste is a central pillar of forward-
looking, sustainable environmental policies. As a result, it is 
attempting to figure out how to minimize the environmental impacts from 
waste treatment, while optimizing energy and material recovery and 
minimizing the costs.
    In 2009 24% of U.S. environmental exports to Belgium were related 
to solid waste, recycling and soil remediation. This equaled USD 110 
million in products and services. Compared to other EU countries, 
Belgium is at the forefront of solid waste disposal and treatment. For 
example, Belgium has a voluntary waste policy program. This means that 
municipalities, under certain agreements, can receive subsidies by 
achieving pre-specified residential solid waste targets. Also, through 
their advanced separate trash collection programs, the residual waste 
items in Flanders (Flemish speaking part of Belgium) have been reduced 
to about 160 kg per capita, per year whereas the European average for 
waste items is about 320 kg per capita. Best prospects for U.S. firms 
in this sector include but are not limited to plastic sorting 
technology, waste separation, selective collection systems, and waste-
to-energy technologies.
    It is also important to note that a trade and investment mission to 
Belgium does not preclude exposure and partnership opportunities with 
other European countries. On the contrary, groups from other countries 
operate a large part of the Belgian waste market, making Belgium an 
optimal choice for U.S. companies and communities to pursue trade and 
FDI opportunities.

Energy

    The energy sector has long been one of Belgium's leading 
industries. Current shifts such as de-regulation and liberalization, 
the discussion on the phasing or non-phasing out of nuclear energy and 
the push for renewable energy creates a great export opportunity to 
U.S. companies to enter the market. Nuclear energy still accounts for 
more than 50% of Belgium's electricity production. However, under the 
efforts from the former ``green'' government to phase out nuclear 
energy between 2015 and 2025, there is major room for improvement on 
energy efficiency. A commission of experts concluded that phasing out 
nuclear energy should be compensated by the construction of gas plants, 
the exploitation of wind energy, biomass and cogeneration and a 
reduction in electricity consumption, or higher efficiency of 
electricity production. Each region actively promotes these new 
technologies through various financial incentives. The level of 
subsidies varies according to the type of enterprise and the 
introduction of new energy efficiency policies, particularly 
environmental. This drive towards clean energy provides a prime 
opportunity for U.S. cleantech regional innovation clusters to boost 
exports to Belgium.

Mission Goals

     Support the President's initiative to double exports 
during the next five years to support 2 million American jobs by 
connecting U.S. communities and companies with potential European 
trading partners.
     Promote the U.S. green economy by connecting 
representatives of U.S. regional innovation clusters focused on

[[Page 41160]]

cleantech with potential foreign investors and trading partners.
     Progress in addressing cleantech market access barriers to 
trade and investment between participating nations.
     Increase awareness of President Obama's priorities in 
promoting exports.
     Welcome foreign direct investment in the cleantech sector.
     Help companies gain valuable international business 
experience in the rapidly growing renewable energy and cleantech 
market.
     Help U.S. communities strengthen their engagement in the 
worldwide marketplace, which will lead to increased exports and FDI, 
and, in turn, job creation.

Mission Scenario

    Participants will gain from operating on a two track mission: 
Export promotion and foreign direct investment attraction. Companies 
will promote their products and services while communities will promote 
the competitiveness of their economic regions as promising investment 
opportunities for foreign companies. U.S. companies and communities 
will benefit through open opportunities via matchmaking support to 
facilitate discussions with international firms at Pollutec in Lyon, 
and in networking forums in Brussels. ITA will be able to expand its 
trade mission model from a ``U.S. company to foreign company'' to 
``U.S. community to foreign company'' format. As each U.S. community 
represents many companies, this format offers the potential for 
exponential growth in U.S. exports and of FDI in the U.S.

Timetable

     The proposed schedule allows for four days in Lyon and two 
days in Brussels.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Day of week                      Date                                                     Activity
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday............................  Nov 29, Lyon.........  Clean technology site visit organized by ERAI (Rhone-Alps Economic Development Agency) TBC.
                                                           Delegation Greeting Briefing by ERAI and U.S. Commercial Service.
                                                           Social/networking mixer with ERAI TBC.
Tuesday...........................  Nov 30, Lyon.........  Exhibition and Conference Opening ceremonies.
                                                           U.S. Technology Country of Honor Networking Luncheon TBC Conference presentations.
                                                           Evening Lyon City Hall Reception--500 guests (U.S. delegation as the guest of honor) TBC.
Wednesday.........................  Dec 1, Lyon..........  Conference Presentations.
                                                           One-on-One Matchmaking.
                                                           U.S. Pavilion Exhibition activities.
Thursday..........................  Dec 2, Lyon/Brussels.  Conference Presentations.
                                                           One-on-One Matchmaking.
                                                           U.S. Pavilion Exhibition activities.
                                                           U.S. Pavilion afternoon onsite reception.
                                                           Depart for Brussels via train or air.
                                                           U.S. Ambassador's Reception (TBC).
Friday............................  Dec 3, Brussels......  Company Delegates Visit to Nike Logistics Center/Business Roundtable.
                                                           Community Delegates hold Invest in America program at U.S. Commercial Service Offices.
                                                           Combined business networking luncheon.
                                                           NATO Visit to discuss cleantech needs for new NATO/HQ.
Saturday..........................  Dec 4, Brussels......  Depart.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Package Includes:
     Matchmaking and networking.
     Access to VIP lounge.
     Networking receptions and luncheon (TBC).
     U.S. Pavilion exposure including promotion through shared 
exhibit space (literature display) and meeting point.
     Access to Pollutec trade exhibition, conference, and 
presentations.
     Visit to cleantech cluster in Rhone-Alps region (TBC).

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Cleantech Trade 
& Investment Mission must complete and submit an application package 
for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be 
evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy 
the selection criteria as outlined below. A maximum of 20 companies and 
20 community delegates will be considered for the mission.
    I. Fees and Expenses: After a company or community delegate has 
been selected to participate on the mission, a participation fee paid 
to the U.S. Department of Commerce is required.
    The participation fees are:
 Companies:
    [cir] Large company (for one representative): $3588
    [cir] Small or medium-sized (less than 500 employees) company (for 
one representative): $3395
 Community delegate (one person): $2195 \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ The Department continues to review the fee for community 
delegate participation and options for direct financing of the 
economic development component mission expenses, which could lower 
the cost for community delegates. Please see the trade mission 
website at [insert web address] for the most current information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Additional representatives (company or community 
delegate): $400 per participant
    Expenses for travel, including airfare, lodging, in-country 
transportation (except for airport transfers and bus transportation to/
from group meetings), meals, and incidentals, will be the 
responsibility of each mission participant.
    Companies and community delegates can also choose to separately 
purchase their own exhibit in the U.S. Pavilion. Hotels are at a 
premium and sell out quickly; an early commitment to Pollutec is highly 
recommended.
    II. Conditions for Participation:
    All Applicants, whether a company or a community delegate, must:
     Submit a completed and signed mission application, and, if 
selected, a signed Participation Agreement, and a completed Market 
Interest Questionnaire.

[[Page 41161]]

     Certify that the products and services to be promoted 
through the mission are either produced in the United States or 
marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent 
U.S. content of the value of the finished product or service.
     If the Department of Commerce receives an incomplete 
application, the Department may reject the application, request 
additional information, or take the lack of information into account 
when evaluating the applications.
    Companies must include adequate information on:
     The company's products and/or services, primary market 
objectives, and goals for participation, and previous company 
activities or initiatives participated in to advance regional economic 
development.
    Community Delegates may be a:
     State or local government official,
     University official,
     Non-profit representative, or
     Representative of an EDA-recognized regional entity.
    In addition, each Community Delegate must be

 The authorized representative of the governmental entity or 
entities responsible for implementing a regional, State, or local 
economic development strategy. At the time of application, a community 
delegate must demonstrate that they are the authorized representative 
by providing documentation as follows:
    [cir] For delegates representing the entity responsible for 
implementing a regional plan and EDA-recognized regional entities, the 
delegate must provide either:
    [cir] A letter from the director or governing body of the regional 
entity, or
    [cir] A letter or resolution from each governmental entity that 
makes up a region (for example, a resolution passed by the county 
commission of each county that makes up a region),
    [cir] For delegates representing a State, the delegate must provide 
a letter from the applicable Governor or the Governor's designated 
representative, and
    [cir] For delegates representing a local government, the delegate 
must provide a resolution passed by or letter from the local government 
(for example, a letter from the city's mayor or a resolution passed by 
the county commission, as applicable).
     The Department of Commerce may consider applications from 
non-profit organizations that represent such communities on a national 
basis. Authorized representative documentation is not required for such 
organizations.
 Community Delegates must demonstrate at the time of 
application how their community's economic development strategy 
promotes increased exports and foreign direct investment in general, 
and the green economy in particular.
 Additional representatives accompanying community delegates 
must adhere to the selection criteria applicable to community 
delegates.
    III. Selection Criteria for Participation:
    The following factors will be used to select participants:

 Companies:
    [cir] Suitability of the company's products or services for the 
renewable energy and cleantech market,
    [cir] Participation in coordinated economic development strategies 
for their community,
    [cir] Potential for business in France and Belgium, including the 
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission,
    [cir] Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with the 
stated scope of the mission.
 Community delegates:
    [cir] Consistency of the community's economic strategic plan with 
the stated scope of this mission,
    [cir] Broad U.S. geographic diversity,
    [cir] Industry cluster representation related to advancing the 
green economy, and
    [cir] Community economic distress levels.

    Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing 
references to partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) will be removed from an applicant's submission and not 
considered during the selection process.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and 
trade media, e-mail, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry 
trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at 
industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows. The ITA and 
EDA will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested 
organizations, including other U.S. Government agencies. Recruitment 
for the mission will begin immediately and close on August 15, 2010 for 
community delegates and October 15, 2010 for companies. The staggered 
timeline allows for logistical flexibility for community delegates. 
Applications received after that time will be considered only if space 
and scheduling constraints permit.
    Information can also be obtained by contacting the mission contacts 
listed below.

Contacts

    Companies, please contact:

U.S. Commercial Service, Name: Teresa Yung, E-mail: 
[email protected], Phone: (202) 482-5496;
    Community delegates, please contact:
Economic Development Administration, Name: Bryan Borlik, E-mail: 
[email protected].

Teresa Yung,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-17203 Filed 7-14-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P