[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 132 (Monday, July 11, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40697-40699]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-17255]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Water and Wastewater Trade Mission to Australia Taking Place 
September 12-15, 2011; Now Opened to Multiple Sectors

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) is 
organizing a Trade Mission to Australia September 12-15, 2011, to help 
U.S. firms find business partners and sell equipment and services in 
Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, Australia. This trade mission is 
designed to provide a key opportunity for U.S. suppliers of equipment 
and services to explore the Australian market. This mission will be led 
by a senior Department of Commerce official and will include business-
to-business matchmaking with local companies, market briefings, and 
networking events.

Commercial Setting

    Australia is the 14th-largest export market for U.S. goods. The 
USD12 billion trade surplus with Australia is one of the largest trade 
surpluses the United States has with any country. In addition, 
Australia has weathered the global financial crisis better than many 
other countries, and has managed to enjoy continuous economic growth. 
The U.S.-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) allows U.S. products to 
enter Australia duty free. U.S. exports to Australia have jumped 56 
percent since the FTA was signed in 2005.
    Australia possesses a sound legal system, which is hospitable to 
foreign investors and exporters, and generally provides strong 
Intellectual Property Rights protection and enforcement. Reports of 
corruption remain low, and Australia maintains rule of law, 
transparency, a strong banking system, and a strong Australian dollar 
that increases the competitiveness of U.S. products and services.
    The top two sectors for this trade mission include:

Water and Wastewater Treatment Equipment and Services

    Despite the recent flooding that for the moment eased the drought 
situation in Victoria, New South Wales (NSW), and Queensland, Western 
Australia still faces critical water shortages. Although water storage 
levels have improved in most regions, the Australian Government, at 
federal and state levels, is working on strategies and projects aimed 
at securing future water supply. Australia spends an estimated USD4.2 
billion each year on water and wastewater treatment. Direct purchases 
of capital equipment account for 20 to 30 percent of total spending. We 
estimate the annual market size to be USD500 million-USD1 billion. This 
mission immediately follows the International Desalination Association 
(IDA) Annual World Congress, which takes place on the West Coast of 
Australia in Perth, Sept 4-9, 2011.

Mining Equipment

    Mining is a large industry in Australia. The total market size for 
mining equipment is in excess of US$500 million and the industry 
imports 70 percent of its equipment. Australia is the second-largest 
export market for U.S.-manufactured mining equipment. Companies 
recognize U.S. products for their quality and will pay a premium to 
avoid heavy losses associated with equipment failure or production 
delays. In addition, AIMEX, Asia-Pacific's International Mining 
Exhibition, is taking place in Sydney September 6-9, 2011, allowing 
interested companies to travel a few days in advance of the mission to 
take advantage of the show to learn how their technologies can also be 
used in support of the mining industry.
    Additional Key sectors for this trade mission include:

Construction Machinery

    Industry experts continue to be optimistic for the construction 
sector's potential over the medium term, with annual average industry 
real growth of 3.8% anticipated between 2013 and 2018. The key factor 
influencing the growth is major infrastructure projects that are 
planned in Australia in different industries. Key sectors include: 
transport infrastructure, mining,

[[Page 40698]]

electricity, telecommunications, sewerage and water supply, and other 
civil projects.

Composites, Chemicals and Plastics

    A wide variety of chemicals are in demand in Australia; and both 
the water and wastewater and mining industries rely heavily on chemical 
processes. The plastics and chemicals industries turnover approximately 
AU$32.5 billion every year, directly employ 85,000 people and represent 
between 9 and 10 per cent of total Australian manufacturing activity. 
Australia presents favorable opportunities for U.S. companies with 
technological advanced products in the composites, chemicals and 
plastics Industries.

Oil and Gas Field Machinery

    Oil and gas is a US$10 billion a year production industry. There 
are approximately US$150 billion of projects under construction or 
well-along in the planning stages. Modernization and restoration of 
existing machinery and infrastructure will continue. Coal bed methane 
is a fast growing industry with the bulk of onshore drilling and 
production focused within the state of Queensland.

Additional Industries

    While priority will be given to applicants from the above industry 
sectors, applications will also be considered from all sectors 
depending upon how well the company's products or services fit into the 
overall Australian market. Additional best prospects include: aircraft 
and parts, automotive parts and accessories, biotechnology, cosmetics, 
franchising, information technology services and software, renewable 
energy, and travel and tourism.

Mission Goals

    The goals of the Australian Mission are (1) To increase U.S. 
equipment and services sales to Australia through one-on-one meetings 
with potential partners, and through establishing long-term business 
relationships; (2) to provide a high-profile opportunity for U.S. 
participants to gain exposure in, and further access to, this market 
through meeting key Australian decision makers; and (3) to provide 
general advocacy for all mission participants in support of their 
export efforts.

Mission Scenario

    The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Mission to Australia will 
visit Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. In each city, participants will 
meet with new business contacts. Mission participants are encouraged to 
arrive on or before September 11, 2011 and the mission program will 
proceed from September 12-15, 2011.
    Tentatively, U.S. participant's one-on-one meetings will be at the 
local Australian firm's facilities, to give participants an opportunity 
to fully access the true business potential. The precise schedule will 
depend on the availability of local business representatives and the 
specific goals and objectives of the mission participants. Our offices 
in Australia will help companies make their daily travel arrangements 
once the final schedule is confirmed.

                       Proposed Mission Timetable
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          Day of week                  Date               Activity
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Sunday........................  Sept. 11--Sydney.  Arrive in Sydney.
                                                   No-host meet and
                                                    greet dinner.
Monday........................  Sept 12--Sydney..  Mission Meetings
                                                    Officially Start.
                                                   Breakfast briefing
                                                    from U.S. Consulate
                                                    General and local
                                                    industry experts.
                                                   One-on-one business
                                                    appointments.
                                                   Evening business
                                                    reception.
Tuesday.......................  Sept 13--Sydney..  One-on-one business
                                                    appointments.
                                                   Travel to Brisbane.
Wednesday.....................  Sept 14--Brisbane/ One-on-one business
                                 Melbourne.         appointments.
                                                   Travel to Melbourne.
Thursday......................  Sept 15--          One-on-one business
                                 Melbourne.         appointments.
                                                   Trade Mission
                                                    Officially Ends in
                                                    Early Evening.
Friday........................  Sept 16--           Company participants
                                 Melbourne.         return to U.S.
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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.

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 to select a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 
U.S. companies to participate in the mission from the applicant pool. 
U.S. companies already doing business in the target markets as well as 
U.S. companies seeking to enter these markets for the first time should 
apply.

Fees and Expenses

    Confirmed participants will pay a participation fee to the U.S. 
Department of Commerce: $2,000 for a small or medium-sized enterprise 
(SME) \1\ and $2,500 for large firms. The fee for each additional firm 
representative (SME or large) is $450. Expenses for travel, lodging, 
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

[[Page 40699]]

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 
Australian market.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope and design of the mission.
     Applicant's potential for business in Australia, including 
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
    Diversity of company size, type, location, and demographics, 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.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr), posting on ITA's trade mission calendar--http://www.trade.gov/trade-missions--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 
July 15, 2011, unless extended by the Department of Commerce. 
Applications received after July 15, 2011, will be considered only if 
space and scheduling constraints permit.
    The U.S. Department of Commerce will inform applicants of selection 
decisions as soon as possible after July 15, 2011.

Contacts

    U.S. Commercial Service, Lisa Huot, International Trade Specialist, 
Global Trade Programs, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: 202-482-2796, Fax: 
202-482-9000, E-mail: [email protected].

Elnora Moye,
U.S. Department of Commerce, Commercial Service Trade Mission Program.
[FR Doc. 2011-17255 Filed 7-8-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P