[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 179 (Thursday, September 16, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56509-56511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23028]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Multi-Sector Trade Mission to Nigeria

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Statement: Multi-Sector Trade Mission to Nigeria, March 8-10, 
2011

I. Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a Trade Mission 
to Nigeria March 8-10, 2011, to help U.S. firms find business partners 
and sell equipment and services in Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria. Targeted 
sectors include, but are not limited to, energy and power generation, 
health care, information technology, transportation and construction. 
This mission will be led by a senior official and will include 
business-to-business matchmaking with local companies, market 
briefings, and meetings with key government officials.

II. Commercial Setting

    In 2009, the Nigerian economy was among the top 20 fastest growing 
in the world at 6+%, and is one of the two largest economies in Africa. 
The International Monetary Fund projects Nigeria's economy to continue 
to grow at 6+% for the next 4 years. With a population of 150 million 
people, the largest in Africa and 8th largest in the world, Nigeria has 
a thriving consumer market. Total U.S.-Nigeria trade did fall from $3.4 
trillion to $2.6 trillion in 2008 and 2009 but is expected to surge in 
conjunction with Nigeria's growing economy. U.S. exports to Nigeria in 
2009 consisted mostly of cereals, vehicles, machinery, fuel and 
aircraft.
    There is significant business potential for U.S. businesses willing 
to conduct due diligence and draw on Commercial Service assistance in 
screening prospective partners and customers in Nigeria.
    Nigerians prefer U.S. products due to quality, name brand 
recognition and seek competitive pricing. The business culture relies 
heavily on the strength of personal contacts to consummate deals. This 
trade mission offers U.S. company

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representatives an excellent introduction to a broad range of credible 
Nigerian business partners and Nigerian officials.

Best Prospects

    Energy: At 20% of GDP, the oil and gas industry continues to 
dominate the Nigerian economy. With an estimated 36.24 billion barrels 
of oil, Nigeria has the 10th largest proven oil reserves in the world. 
It also has the 8th largest proven gas reserves with an estimated 187 
trillion standard cubic feet. In addition, Nigeria is the 12th largest 
market for U.S. oil and gas equipment sales. A recent Government of 
Nigeria (GON) directive will require the end of gas flaring on December 
31, 2010. Compliance with this GON directive potentially could create a 
lucrative market for U.S. industry. The estimated life expectancy of 
Nigeria's proven crude oil reserve is 35 years, while that of gas is 
over 100, ensuring that the oil and gas industry will continue to offer 
lucrative opportunities in oil and natural gas equipment and services. 
The President and Minister for Power have unveiled a roadmap for reform 
of the power sector (http://www.nigeriapowerreform.org) which will 
provide concrete opportunities for U.S. suppliers over the next two-
three years in the power generation and distribution sectors. Note: 
Companies interested in this sector of the Nigerian economy should take 
into account ongoing security issues in and around the oil fields in 
the Niger delta for pricing and delivery purposes.
    Healthcare: In 2006, the GON spent $1.2 billion per year on health 
care and plans to increase spending as it reforms Nigeria's healthcare 
policies and rebuilds health care infrastructure. Industry watchers and 
analysts indicate potential opportunities for U.S. suppliers and 
manufacturers of cutting-edge medical equipment used especially for 
medical examination, on-line training and telemedicine, particularly 
for complex and difficult operations where international expertise is 
needed.
    Information Technology: The success of Nigeria's telecommunications 
industry subsector is fueling demand for computers, software, 
peripherals and professional services such as electronic banking, 
internet services, e-learning, e-government, e-health and digital 
security services. Current bandwidth in Nigeria is provided through the 
SAT-3 cable of 350 gigabits. Two additional broadband cables are 
expected to increase the broadband capacity by 2.6 terabits for a total 
of almost 3.0 terabits for the entire country in the coming year. With 
over 1,800 licenses managed by the Nigerian Communications Commission 
(NCC), the market generated about $10 billion in telecommunications 
services revenue in 2009 and recorded an average annual growth rate of 
about 30 percent.
    Transportation: The United States currently accounts for more than 
70% of all categories of automobiles supplied to Nigeria, most of which 
are used cars and trucks. The government of Nigeria continues to fund 
efficiency efforts for the aeronautics and aviation industries. The 
transport ministry (aviation division) is planning to fix, purchase and 
install additional navigation and landing aids for the airports across 
the country within a short period of time, as there has been an 
increase in air transportation in the country with more aviation 
companies joining the sector. In addition, the Federal Airport 
Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) stated recently that five new terminals are 
to be built in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu. The United 
States Federal Aviation Administration granted Nigeria Category 1 
status under the international aviation safety assessment program, 
which means a country has the laws and regulations necessary to oversee 
air carriers in accordance with minimum international standards, and 
that its civil aviation authority--equivalent to the FAA for aviation 
safety matters--meets international standards for technical expertise, 
trained personnel, recordkeeping and inspection procedures.
    Construction: There are also plans to construct or reconstruct 
existing expressways as well as over 40 separate dredging and related 
projects scattered in the Niger-Delta region. State governments have 
also awarded major contracts to provide infrastructure, including 
railroad and housing in major cities as well as creating new 
settlements in urban areas. It is also expected that the GON will 
upgrade the major seaports in Nigeria as well as set up Free Trade 
Zones where importation of equipment and heavy machinery can easily be 
undertaken.

III. Mission Goals

    The goal of the Nigeria Trade Mission is to provide U.S. 
participants with first-hand market information, access to government 
decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, 
including potential agents, distributors and partners, so they can 
position themselves to enter or expand their presence in the Nigerian 
market. A presence in Nigeria can be used to enter other West African 
markets, allowing for better market penetration/saturation.

IV. Mission Scenario

    The Nigeria Trade Mission will visit both the commercial center and 
political capital of Nigeria: Lagos and Abuja, to give participants 
access to decision makers in Nigeria. In each city, participants will 
meet with new business contacts.

Proposed Timetable

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         Day of week                 Date                                    Activity
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Monday.......................  March 7, Lagos..  Arrive in Lagos, Nigeria.
Tuesday......................  March 8, Lagos..  Mission Meetings Officially Start.
                                                 Breakfast briefing from Lagos Consulate staff.
                                                 One-on-one business appointments.
                                                 Evening business reception.
Wednesday....................  March 9, Lagos/   One-on-one business appointments continue.
                                Abuja.           Afternoon departure for Abuja.
Thursday.....................  March 10, Abuja.  Briefing by Abuja Embassy Staff.
                                                 One-on-one business and government meetings.
                                                 Trade Mission Officially Ends.
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    *Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend 
on the availability of local government and business officials, 
specific goals of mission participants, and air travel schedules.

V. Participation Requirements

    All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. 
The mission is designed for a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies

[[Page 56511]]

already doing business in the target markets as well as U.S. companies 
seeking to enter these markets for the first time are encouraged to 
apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a 
participation fee to the U.S. Department of Commerce is required. The 
participation fee for one representative is $2,975 for a small or 
medium-sized enterprise (SME) \1\ and $3,515 for large firms. The fee 
for each additional firm representative (SME or large) is $450. 
Expenses for travel, lodging, some meals, and incidentals will be the 
responsibility of each mission participant.
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    \1\ An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or 
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations. 
See http://www.sba.gov/contractingopportunities/owners/basics/whatismallbusiness/index.html. Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The 
dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service's user fee schedule 
that became effective May 1, 2008. See http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html.
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Conditions for Participation

     An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission 
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate 
information on the company's products and/or services, primary market 
objectives, and goals for participation. If the U.S. 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.
     Each applicant must also certify that the products and 
services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in 
the United States, or, if not, 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.

Selection Criteria for Participation

     Suitability of the company's products or services to the 
mission goals.
     Applicant's potential for business in Nigeria, including 
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission.
    Diversity of company size, sector or subsector, and location may 
also be considered during the review process.
    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.

VI. Selection Timeline

    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, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade 
associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry 
meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately, and conclude 
January 18, 2011. Applications received after January 18, 2011, will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
    Contacts:

Ryan Kane, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, 
Washington, DC 20230, Tel: 202-482-5740, Fax: 202-482-9000, E-mail: 
[email protected].
Rebecca Armand, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Consulate, Lagos, 
Nigeria, Tel: 234-1-460-358, E-mail: [email protected].

Ryan Kane,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-23028 Filed 9-15-10; 8:45 am]
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