[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,
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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