[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 140 (Thursday, July 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43654-43657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-18360]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Executive Business 
Development Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing 
a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to Turkey on 
December 4-10, 2011. Led by a senior Department of Commerce official, 
the mission will include representatives from a variety of U.S. firms 
specializing in the following product areas:
     Wind Turbines;
     Geothermal Exploration, Drilling and Geophysical 
Engineering Services;
     Geothermal Power Plant Equipment;
     Biomass Power Generation;
     Hydroelectric Power Plant Equipment Supply;
     Solar Power Generation Systems;
     Cogeneration Systems;
     Energy Efficiency Systems and Solutions;
     Fuel Cells, Heat Pumps Exc.
    Mission participants will be introduced to international agents, 
distributors, and end-users whose capabilities and services are 
targeted to each participant's needs. This mission will contribute to 
the National Export Initiative and the Renewable Energy and Energy 
Efficiency Export Initiative goals through increased sales of U.S. 
equipment/services in Turkey. The participants will also have a site 
visit to the Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone, targeted by the 
U.S. Department of Energy for a Near-Zero Zone Project (NZZ) to promote 
industrial energy efficiency and potential U.S. export opportunities. 
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with other U.S. 
agencies, is launching the Near-Zero Zone project. This interagency 
project has the support of the Turkish government and business 
organizations, and will help industrial companies operating within the 
Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone (IAOSB) reduce their energy 
usage through a series of cost-effective efficiency upgrades.
    One-on-one meetings with NZZ industrial participants will also be 
included, to follow quickly on an energy efficiency survey to be 
completed in September 2011. This mission will be an important 
deliverable for our bilateral Framework for Strategic Economic and 
Commercial Cooperation mechanism, a new process of engagement with the 
government of Turkey on economic and trade issues, chaired by Secretary 
Locke and U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk.
    Participants will have an opportunity to meet with major buyers, 
and potential

[[Page 43655]]

agents and distributors operating in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir, 
Turkey. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is targeting a minimum 
of 15 and a maximum of 20 U.S. companies.

Commercial Setting

    Turkey is a country offering significant opportunities for foreign 
investors and exporters with its geographically favorable position to 
function as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. 
Opportunities exist not only in the dynamic domestic market in Turkey, 
but also throughout the region.
    Hospitality and tolerance being the traditional cornerstones of the 
Turkish way of life, the country is open to foreign firms. Foreign 
Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey slowed to $7.9 billion in 2009 during 
the height of the world economic crisis, but has reached $20 billion in 
previous years. There are approximately 24,000 companies with foreign 
capital in Turkey. Corporate income tax is only 20%, dividends can be 
transferred, foreign capital companies enjoy the same rights as local 
companies, international arbitration is possible, and expatriates can 
be employed.
    A treaty between the U.S. and Turkey exists for the protection of 
foreign investments and another treaty between the U.S. and Turkey 
exists for the avoidance of double taxation. Turkey has a customs union 
agreement with the EU that covers trade in all goods, except 
agriculture goods: the export and import of these industrial goods from 
the EU have a zero percent customs duty. Turkey has agreed to implement 
most EU Directives regarding the safety of products and recognizes the 
CE certification of those types of products.
    As announced by the International Monetary Fund, Turkey has the 
16th largest economy in the world. In 2010, Turkey's GDP reached $958.3 
billion. Turkey has a young, dynamic, well-educated and multi-cultural 
population of 73 million, the second largest population after Germany 
in Europe. Sixty percent of the population is under the age of 35.
    Turkish imports in 2010 are estimated at $166 billion and Turkish 
exports about $114 billion for the same period (2010 official results 
are not announced yet). U.S. exports to Turkey in 2010 will exceed $10 
billion and Turkish exports to the U.S. over $4 billion. Total U.S. FDI 
in Turkey is over $7 billion, a conservative figure given investment by 
European subsidiaries of U.S. parent corporations.
    Turkey is strategically located. Turkey is often referred to as 
`The Energy Bridge between East and West'. Seventy-three percent of the 
world's proven oil reserves and seventy-two percent of the world's 
proven gas reserves are located in the surrounding regions of Turkey: 
the Middle East, Caspian Region and Russia. This makes Turkey a crucial 
bridge between energy rich regions and Europe, which spends 
approximately $300 billion annually for imported energy resources.
    Turkey is a manufacturing center with ambitions to become a 
regional energy hub. The international image of Turkey in terms of a 
destination for investment is generally shaped by the diverse market 
opportunities--both domestic and export-oriented--that Turkey offers. 
The potential of these markets covers over one billion consumers, 
including a large and growing domestic market (approx. 72 million 
people); high-income European markets (600 million people); emerging 
Russian, Caucasian and Central Asian markets (250 million people); and 
the expanding Middle East and North Africa markets (160 million 
people). These markets have approximately $25 trillion in combined GDP.
    Turkey emerged from the world economic crisis much better than 
expected. The banking sector was strong and did not suffer any major 
crisis. Turkey's economy grew by 7-8% in 2010 and unlike the general 
trend; this was not a jobless recovery. Throughout the crisis Turkey 
was the only country whose credit rating was upgraded by two grades. 
Credit rating agencies and financial markets praised the strong 
performance and healthy state of the Turkish economy and demonstrated 
confidence in Turkey's economic policies.
    In the 2010--2014 Energy Strategy Paper announced recently by the 
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) Taner Yildiz, 
Turkey plans to have 20,000 MW of wind energy and 600 MW of geothermal 
energy capacity by 2023 (100th year anniversary of the Turkish 
Republic). Turkey plans to have 5,000 MW new hydroelectric power 
plants, 10,000 MW wind power farms, 300 MW geothermal power plants come 
into operation by 2015. As part of the energy efficiency programs, the 
Turkish government plans to decrease the primary energy intensity by 
10% before 2015 and 20% before 2023.
    Turkey ranks No.1 in Europe and No. 7 in the world in terms of 
geothermal power potential. Power generation from biomass will become 
more important as large municipalities are considering more efficient 
methods of disposing of municipal waste. After Spain, Turkey has the 
second largest potential for solar power development in Europe.
    Turkey also has large hydroelectric potential. Currently 30% of 
Turkey's installed capacity is from hydroelectric resources. Many 
Turkish private companies are investing in run of river type of 
electromechanical equipment which is mostly supplied from China, 
Austria, Norway and Germany. The US&FCS Turkey receives a considerable 
amount of inquiries from Turkish companies, asking for hydro 
electromechanical equipment from the U.S. with U.S. Ex-Im Bank 
financing.
    The Government of Turkey has adopted a new legal framework to 
increase the feed-in tariff for the electricity to be delivered from 
different types of renewable energy resources. Over the next five 
years, Turkey's investments on renewable energy are estimated to expand 
to $20 billion.
    U.S.-Turkish relations focus on areas such as strategic energy 
cooperation, trade and investment, security ties, regional stability, 
counterterrorism, and human rights progress. President Barack Obama 
paid a historic visit to Turkey on April 5-7, 2009, as the first 
bilateral visit of his presidency. During the visit, he spoke before 
the Turkish Parliament and outlined his vision of a model U.S.-Turkish 
partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect. The inaugural 
Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation meeting was 
held in Washington, DC in October 2010. In addition to the new 
framework, the U.S. and Turkey hold annual meetings of the Trade and 
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, which met in Washington, 
DC in July 2010, and Economic Partnership Commission (EPC), which last 
convened in Turkey in June 2010.
    On May 14, 2010, Under Secretary of Commerce for International 
Trade, Francisco S[aacute]nchez and Undersecretary for Foreign Trade of 
Turkey Ahmet Yakici signed the Terms of Reference for the establishment 
of a newly formed U.S.-Turkey Business Council (Council). The Council 
will bring together U.S. and Turkish business leaders to provide policy 
recommendations to both governments jointly on ways to strengthen 
bilateral economic relations.

Mission Goals

    The trade mission will assist representatives of U.S. companies in 
the Renewable Energy and energy efficiency industries responsible for 
business activity in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, the Middle East 
and North Africa markets with their efforts to identify profitable 
opportunities and new

[[Page 43656]]

markets for their respective U.S. companies and to increase their 
export potential in joint cooperation with Turkish companies.

Mission Scenario

    In Turkey, mission members will also be presented with a briefing 
by the U.S. Embassy Country Team, the Commercial Specialist for the 
renewable energy sector and other key government and corporate 
officials. Participants will take part in business matchmaking 
appointments with Turkish private sector companies, which may be 
potential candidates for agent/representative or distributors. The 
trade mission will visit: Ankara, the capital of Turkey, a growing 
industrial base and the seat of government; Istanbul, where 
headquarters of most private sector companies are located; and Izmir, 
Turkey's third largest city with strong renewable energy and energy 
efficiency potential.
    U.S. participants will be counseled before and after the mission by 
the domestic mission coordinator. Participation in the mission will 
include the following:
     Pre-travel webinars on subjects ranging from industry 
briefings to business practices in Turkey;
     Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, 
distributors, end users, or local industry contacts;
     Transportation to all mission-organized meetings inside 
the cities (all air transportation within Turkey is the responsibility 
of the mission participant);
     Meetings with key government decision makers and private 
sector firms;
     Participation in networking receptions in Turkey; and
     Meetings with CS Turkey's energy specialists in Ankara, 
Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey.

Mission Timetable

    Mission participants will arrive in Ankara on December 4, 2011 and 
the mission program will take place from December 5-9, 2011. Departure 
to the United States or other onward destinations will be on December 
10, 2011.

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Sunday, Dec. 4, 2011.........................   Arrival in
                                                Ankara, Turkey.
Ankara, Turkey...............................
Day 1........................................   Wreath laying at
                                                the Ataturk's Mausoleum
                                                (Anitkabir) (optional).
Monday, Dec. 5, 2011.........................   Agenda review
                                                and market briefings by
                                                U.S. mission officials.
Ankara, Turkey...............................   Meeting with
                                                Minister of Energy and
                                                Natural Resources or
                                                designate.
                                                Meeting with
                                                State Minister for
                                                Foreign Trade or
                                                designate.
                                                Briefing by
                                                Ministry of Energy,
                                                Regulator EMRA and EIE.
                                                Networking
                                                reception.
Day 2........................................   Morning 1-1
                                                matchmaking meetings.
Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011........................   Afternoon
                                                departure to Istanbul.
Ankara--Istanbul, Turkey.....................   Evening Bosporus
                                                Cruise (working
                                                reception and dinner
                                                with American and
                                                Turkish business
                                                communities).
Day 3........................................   Morning meeting
                                                with the Mayor of
                                                Istanbul or designate
                                                and site visit to waste
                                                to energy facilities
                                                (optional).
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2011......................   Afternoon 1-1
                                                matchmaking meetings.
Izmir, Turkey................................   Evening
                                                departure to Izmir.
Day 4........................................   Morning 1-1
                                                matchmaking meetings.
Thursday, Dec. 8, 2011.......................   Afternoon site
                                                visit to wind farms in
                                                Cesme (optional).
Izmir, Turkey................................   Evening
                                                networking reception.
Day 5........................................   Site visit to
                                                Ataturk Industrial Zone
                                                for U.S. DOE led ``Near
                                                Zero Zone'' Energy
                                                Efficiency Project
                                                (optional).
Friday, Dec. 9, 2011.........................   1-1 matchmaking
                                                meetings.
Izmir, Turkey................................   Wrap-up session.
Day 6........................................   Departure to the
                                                U.S. (same day arrival
                                                in U.S.).
Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011......................
Izmir, Turkey................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Commercial Service 
Trade 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 minimum of 15 companies and 
a maximum of 20 companies will be selected to participate in the 
mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies already doing business 
with Turkey as well as U.S. companies seeking to enter to the Turkish 
market for the first time may apply.
    Expenses:
    After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a 
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation 
fee is required. The participation fee will be $4,055 for large firms 
and $3,285 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)\*\ or small 
organization, which will cover one representative.
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    \*\ 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/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/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 for additional information).
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    The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) 
is $500.
    Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be 
the responsibility of each mission participant. Delegation members will 
be able to take advantage of U.S. Mission discounted rates for hotel 
rooms.
    Conditions for Participation:
     An applicant must submit in a timely manner 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 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

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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: Selection will be based on 
the following criteria:
     Suitability of the company's products or services to the 
market.
     Applicant's potential for business in Turkey and in the 
region, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission.
    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 posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar--
http://www.trade.gov/trade-missions--and other Internet websites, 
publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters, 
direct outreach to internal clients and distribution lists, posting in 
the Federal Register, and announcements at industry meetings, symposia, 
conferences, and trade shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than October 17, 2011. The U.S. Department of Commerce will 
review all applications immediately after the deadline. We will inform 
applicants of selection decisions as soon as possible after the 
deadline. Applications received after this date will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Commercial Service Ankara, Turkey

    Serdar Cetinkaya, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy--
Ankara, Tel: +90 (312) 457-7278 or 457-7203, Fax: +90 (312) 457-7302, 
E-mail: [email protected].

U.S. Commercial Service Bakersfield, California

    Glen Roberts, Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center Bakersfield, 
Tel: 661-637-0136, Fax: 661-637-0156, E-mail: [email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Commercial Service Trade Mission Program, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2011-18360 Filed 7-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P