[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73595-73596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30684]



[[Page 73595]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Healthcare Technology, Policy & Trade Mission: Mexico City, 
Mexico, May 13-16, 2012

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

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 
an executive-led healthcare technology policy and trade mission to 
Mexico City, May 13-16, 2012. This mission is intended to focus on a 
variety of U.S. suppliers of healthcare information technologies (IT), 
medical devices, and other medical technology.
    The mission will introduce U.S. company participants to industry 
leaders and government officials in Mexico City to learn about various 
opportunities in the IT healthcare, medical devices, and other medical 
technology industries in Mexico. Participating in an official U.S. 
industry delegation, rather than traveling to Mexico independently, 
will enhance the companies' ability to gain access to key players and 
thought leaders in the healthcare field and obtain important policy 
information regarding their respective markets. The mission will 
include group meetings with government officials and with private 
sector industrial groups and visits to hospitals and other healthcare 
institutions. An optional day of Gold Key meetings will be offered for 
an additional fee.

Commercial Setting

    The Mexico IT healthcare sector is an emerging market as healthcare 
institutions have begun identifying, seeking out and implementing 
technologies to become more efficient and competitive. Currently, the 
most popular IT applications include patient control, electronic 
filing, supplies inventory control, pharmacy inventory and services 
management, and security systems.
    Potential clients for IT in Mexico's healthcare sector are mostly 
large public and private hospitals with resources to purchase 
sophisticated technologies to automate patient services, administrative 
processes and supplies control systems. In the Mexican public sector 
there are 1,578 hospitals of which, only 310 have more than 120 beds. 
In the private sector, of the 3,140 hospitals, only 80 have over 50 
beds. Most of these hospitals offer highly specialized healthcare 
services and are located in medium and large Mexican cities. There are 
also some medium-sized private hospitals that offer specialty services 
and focus on high income, insured patients. These hospitals also 
represent potential users of IT healthcare applications.
    In addition, Mexico is a good market for medical devices. In 2010, 
total imports of medical equipment, instruments and other medical 
devices reached $3.5 billion. Of these imports 57%, or $2 billion, were 
of U.S. origin. With the clarification and pronouncement of regulations 
for medical technologies, Mexico is expected to become an even more 
attractive market for U.S. companies.

Best Prospects

    Hospitals in Mexico are upgrading facilities and seeking high 
technology equipment and medical devices, as well as greater 
automation, control and supervision of their operations, medical 
supplies, billing and radiology & imaging. In addition, the sector is 
open to technological solutions that can provide real time information 
through online systems and mobile devices. Systems and products that 
are in demand include:
     Electronic Health Record (EHR)
     Automation hardware and software
     Billing and other administrative automation systems
     Real-time databases and Web sites with healthcare 
information
     Imaging data transfer and storaging
     Specialty medical instruments
     Diagnostic medical equipment

Mission Goals

    The short term goals of the Healthcare Technology, Policy and Trade 
Mission to Mexico are, (1) to introduce U.S. companies to industry 
leaders and government officials in Mexico City to learn about various 
opportunities in the IT healthcare, medical devices, and other medical 
technology industries; (2) to get a first-hand look at current use of 
healthcare technology in Mexico's top hospitals and other healthcare 
institutions; (3) create a business networking environment for U.S. 
firms to develop business relationships and meet with potential 
partners and end-users; (4) Optional day: to introduce U.S. companies 
to potential end-users, joint-venture partners and other industry 
representatives in Mexico City and its surrounding areas.

Mission Scenario

    Upon arrival in Mexico City on May 13, participants will check into 
the hotel and participate in a commercial briefing on the Mexican 
healthcare sector followed by a cocktail meet-and-greet. On the morning 
of May 14, the U.S. delegation will leave together on a full day of 
meetings with Mexican government officials and visits to Mexico's top 
hospitals and other healthcare institutions. The day will end with an 
evening networking reception at the Ambassador's residence or other 
location to be confirmed, where delegates will have a chance to meet 
key government and industry contacts in the Mexico City area. On May 15 
delegates will attend a healthcare technology policy and trade round 
table that will include a working lunch and last through the beginning 
of the afternoon. The round table will include presentations by key 
players in the Mexican healthcare sector and open discussion among all 
participants. On May 16, participants may opt for a day of one-on-one 
matchmaking appointments with previously screened potential partners, 
buyers and end-users at their places of business, escorted by U.S. 
Commercial Service staff. If requested, this service will come at an 
additional cost not included in the trade mission participation fee.
    The following items are included in the price of the trade mission:
     Pre-travel webinar briefing, covering Mexican business 
practices and security;
     Mexican nationwide promotion of trade mission, including 
wide circulation of the printed company directory;
     Networking reception at Ambassador's residence or other 
venue in Mexico City on May 14;
     Coffee service and lunch during the technology, policy and 
trade round table on May 15;
     Group transportation to the reception and all-day visits 
held on May 14;
     Preferential hotel rates in Mexico City.
    Optional Gold Key Service not included in the trade mission 
participation fee:
     The Gold Key Service provides U.S. firms with pre-screened 
appointments to explore the market and establish relationships with 
potential overseas agents, distributors, sales representatives and 
strategic business partners.
     The Commercial Service will schedule a conference call 
with the appropriate staff to understand your objectives and 
requirements.

[[Page 73596]]

     A designated escort/translator will be provided to assist 
you during scheduled matchmaking meetings.

Proposed Timetable

    The mission program will begin on the evening of Sunday, May 13, 
2012, and continue through May 15, with an optional day of matchmaking 
appointments on May 16.

 
 
 
May 13.................................  Commercial Briefing: Mexican
                                          healthcare market, government
                                          procurement.
                                         Cocktail meet-and-greet.
May 14.................................  Full-delegation government
                                          meetings, visits to hospitals
                                          and other healthcare
                                          institutions.
                                         Reception at Ambassador's
                                          residence or other venue to be
                                          confirmed.
May 15.................................  Healthcare Technology, Policy
                                          and Trade Mission Round Table
                                          and working lunch.
May 16.................................  Optional Gold Key matchmaking
                                          meetings with potential
                                          clients, distributors/
                                          representatives.
 

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Healthcare 
Technology, Policy and Trade Mission must complete and submit an 
application for consideration by U.S. Department of Commerce. All 
applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and to satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. 
This mission has a goal of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 
companies to be selected to participate in the mission from the 
applicant pool. U.S. companies already doing business in Mexico as well 
as U.S. companies seeking to enter the market for the first time are 
encouraged to apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company has been selected to participate in the mission, a 
payment to the U.S. Department of Commerce in the form of a 
participation fee is required. The participation fee will be $755 \1\ 
for small and medium sized firms (SME) and the fee for large firms is 
$805. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or 
SME) is $300. Expenses for air travel (to Mexico City and return), 
lodging, meals and incidentals will be the responsibility of each 
mission participant. An additional fee for the optional Gold Key 
service is as follows: SME, $885 for 1 day of meetings and $535 for a 
second day; large firm, $2,300 for one day of meetings and $1,000 for a 
second day. Gold Key clients will also be responsible for 
transportation costs to all meetings, which is approximately $230 for a 
driver and rental car for 10 hours.
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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/services/contracting_opportunities/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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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 fifty-one percent U.S. content.

Selection Criteria for Participation

    Selection will be based on the following criteria:
     Suitability of a company's products or services to the 
mission's goals
     Applicant's potential for business in Mexico, including 
likelihood of exports resulting from the trade mission
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the trade mission (i.e., the sectors indicated in 
the mission description)
    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://export.gov/trademissions/eg_main_023185.asp) and other Internet web sites, press releases to 
general and trade media, direct mail, 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 no 
later than March 9, 2012. CS Mexico will review all applications 
immediately after the deadline. We will inform applicants of selection 
decisions as soon as possible after March 9, 2012. Applications 
received after that date will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

    Mr. Everett Wakai, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service 
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2603, 
[email protected].
    Ms. Alicia Herrera, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service 
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2629, 
[email protected].
    Ms. Teresa Verthein, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service 
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2652, 
[email protected].
    Mr. Gerry Zapiain, International Trade Specialist, International 
Trade Administration--Washington, DC, Tel: (202) 482-2410, 
[email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2011-30684 Filed 11-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P