[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 29, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31581-31584]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12931]
[[Page 31581]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
U.S. Architecture Services Trade Mission to India; Chennai,
Kolkata and Bangalore, India; October 15-19, 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 (ITA), U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS), with
support from the American Institute of Architects (http://www.aia.org/
), is organizing an Architecture Services Trade Mission to India from
October 15 to 19, 2012. The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S.
firms to India's rapidly expanding market for architectural and design
services, including project management services, and to assist U.S.
companies to pursue export opportunities in this sector. The mission to
India is designed for U.S. architectural, project management, and
design services companies, particularly small- and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs), that provide state-of-the-art and world class
designs. Target sectors holding high potential for U.S exporters
include: master planning (regional design--city planning or regional
planning, neighborhood design, port re-development--design of the
walkways, buildings, etc. along the port); hospitals and health care
architecture; airports/other transportation infrastructure facility
architecture; mixed-use projects architectural services; and
educational (k-12, university and beyond).
The mission will include stops in Chennai, Kolkata, and Bangalore,
where participants will receive market briefings and participate in
customized meetings with key officials and prospective partners. Trade
mission participants will also have the option to have additional stops
at Mumbai, Ahmedabad and New Delhi, where CS offices also can arrange
meetings with both private sector developers and state and local
government officials.
The mission supports President Obama's National Export Initiative
(NEI) and his goal of doubling U.S. exports by 2015 to strengthen the
U.S. economy and U.S. competitiveness through meaningful job creation.
The mission will help U.S. companies already doing business in India to
increase their footprint and deepen their business interests.
The mission will help participating firms gain market insights,
make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance
specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of services
to India. The mission will include one-on-one business appointments
with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint
venture partners; meetings with state and local government officials
and industry leaders; and networking events. Participating in an
official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to India on
their own, will enhance the companies' ability to secure meetings in
India.
Commercial Setting
India, one of the world's fastest growing economies, presents
lucrative opportunities for U.S. companies that offer products and
services that help to meet the nation's rapidly expanding
infrastructure and housing needs. India is seeking to invest $1
trillion in its infrastructure during the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-
2017) and is seeking private sector participation to fund half of this
massive expansion through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The rapid growth of the Indian economy (averaging 8 percent over the
past 10 years) has created a pressing need for infrastructure
development and the country requires significant outside expertise to
meet its ambitious targets. U.S. industry is well qualified to supply
the kinds of architectural services and project management skills
needed to successfully tackle major initiatives, including such
groundbreaking projects as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC)
and the proposed 250-km Bangalore-Chennai expressway, to be built at a
cumulative cost of $1 billion. U.S. technologies are also well
positioned to contribute to energy production and greater efficiency in
new industrial zones as they are built in India, which faces chronic
energy challenges.
Major upcoming opportunities for U.S. firms include the seven
technology townships associated with the development of the Delhi
Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), the billion dollar Chennai-Bangalore
expressway, municipal construction in several large cities, large
educational and hospitality projects launched by the private sector as
well as multi-use township and residential projects.
The Indian architecture/construction industry is an integral part
of the economy and a conduit for a substantial part of its development
investment. The profession and practice of architecture, design and
project management in India has undergone a complete transformation in
recent years. The booming economy and growing middle class has prompted
developers to bring in foreign architects to design many projects,
including airports, residential and commercial buildings, and resorts.
Foreign architects have a proven track record and have helped bring
about a transformation in the way projects are designed and built in
India. Many foreign architecture firms have paired up with Indian firms
who have the expertise on the ground to execute projects.
To explore these opportunities the trade mission will visit three
cities as described below:
Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Chennai (also known as Madras) is the capital city of the Indian
state of Tamil Nadu. Located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of
Bengal, it is a major commercial, cultural, and educational center in
south India and the port of Chennai is the second largest port in
India. As of the 2011 census, the city had 4.68 million residents
making it the sixth most populous city in India; the urban
agglomeration, which comprises the city and its suburbs, was home to
approximately 8.9 million people, making it the fourth most populous
metropolitan area in the country. According to Forbes magazine, Chennai
is one of the fastest growing cities in the world. It has a diversified
economic base anchored by the automobile, software services, hardware
manufacturing, and health care and financial services industries.
According to the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Chennai is
estimated to grow to a $100-billion economy, 2.5 times its present
size, by the year 2025.
Chennai firms are looking to American architects to learn the
processes for executing world-class contemporary buildings. Chennai is
experiencing a broad need for all building types, but corporate
campuses, education, housing, infrastructure, and master-planning
efforts are the most active development sectors. The Chennai realty
market has been growing at over 8 percent a year and there are at least
675 real estate projects pending for approval with the local government
and 43.5 million square feet area is awaiting development in Chennai.
The residential real estate market in is expected to register strong
growth in 2012, primarily on account of improvement in the information
technology (IT) sector, and continued economic growth in the region. CS
Chennai has supported the CII initiated Green building movement, with
the U.S.
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Agency for International Development (USAID) supported Green Building
council, established in Hyderabad in cooperation with U.S. Green
building council.
Kolkata, West Bengal
Kolkata (also known as Calcutta) is the capital of the Indian state
of West Bengal and has a rich history spanning more than 300 years.
Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it is the principal
commercial, cultural, and educational centre of East India, while the
Port of Kolkata is India's oldest port and the country's sole major
river port.
The Kolkata metropolitan area (which is 1,480 sq. km, including its
suburbs), is home to approximately 14.1 million people within three
municipal corporations and 39 local municipalities, making it the third
most populous metropolitan area of the country. As of 2008, Kolkata's
economic output, as measured by gross domestic product, ranked third
behind Mumbai and New Delhi. Kolkata underwent years of urban decay
from the 1970s until the late 1990s. Since then, interest in the city
picked up and a construction boom is now underway. High rise apartment
buildings, resorts and commercial complexes are being developed all
over the city. As a growing metropolitan city in a developing country,
Kolkata faces urban challenges such as extremely high population
density, high traffic density in low road space, several thousand
heritage buildings in dire need of restoration, shortage of funds,
socio-economic dislocations, and unregulated expansion of the city to
accommodate growing population and pollution.
Opportunities have been created by the growing demand for high end
residential and commercial buildings, new satellite townships, the
growing economic power of the middle class population, exposure to
modern city concepts from a globalized urban youth population and a
vibrant real estate developer community. One of the largest projects is
the construction of Rajarhat/New Town, an area that will ultimately
cover as much as 50 sq km. In recent years, bids have generated
participation by large Indian real estate firms such as Unitech and
DLF, and by an international leader, EMAAR. Local architects and
developers are seeking to attract foreign architects to get involved in
high profile projects.
Bangalore, Karnataka
Bangalore (also known as Bengaluru), is the capital of the state of
Karnataka. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of
Karnataka, and with an estimated population of 8.5 million in 2011,
Bangalore is the third most populous city in India and the 28th largest
in the world. Bangalore, most famously known as ``India's Silicon
Valley'' is the hub for India's information technology sector. With the
advent and growth of the ITES industry, as well as numerous industries
in other sectors, and the onset of economic liberalization since the
early 1990s, Bangalore has taken the lead in service-based industries,
fuelling substantial growth of the city both economically and
spatially.
Bangalore has become a cosmopolitan city attracting people and
business alike, within and across nations. A large number of companies,
domestic as well as multinationals, have opened their offices in the
Silicon Valley of India. While the Bangalore Development Authority
(BDA) governs the growth process of the city, a majority of commercial
developments in the city have been carried out by the private sector.
The city is becoming a hub of people with high salaries leading to high
disposable incomes, which has created a boom in real estate prices;
prices grew 25 percent in the period 2011-12. The past year also saw a
large number of residential project launches. There are many factors
which are boosting demand. Realty experts are of the opinion that the
large metro rail project now under construction will transform the real
estate scenario in this city in next three years, similar to what
happened in the national capital Delhi. Demand for back-offices and
contact centers has resulted in continued strong growth in suburban
real estate development, with leading IT companies continuing to set up
new facilities in Bangalore.
Mission Goals
The goals of the Architecture Services Trade Mission to India are
to provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information, and
one-on-one meetings with business contacts, including potential end
users and partners, so that they can position themselves to enter or
expand their presence in the Indian market. As such, the mission will
focus on helping U.S. companies obtain market information, establish
business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and/or
advance specific projects.
The mission will also facilitate first-hand market exposure and
access to government decision makers and key private-sector industry
contacts, including potential partners. It will provide opportunities
for participants to have policy and regulatory framework discussions
with Indian government officials and private sector representatives, in
order to advance U.S. architectural interests in India.
Mission Scenario
The mission will start in Chennai with a welcome dinner on Sunday,
October 14. The next day the participants will attend a round table
industry seminar, industry briefing, site visits, lunch meeting with
chamber/builders association and one-on-one business meetings. On
Tuesday evening the delegates will reach Kolkata.
On Wednesday morning the delegates will start with a site visit.
This will be followed by a briefing meeting, followed by one-on-one
meetings. There will also be a meeting with the Government of West
Bengal, which will be optional for the participating companies. At
noon, there will be a networking luncheon with representatives from
Indian architecture firms, project developers, and contracting
engineers. After lunch the one-on-one meetings will continue followed
by a networking reception. On Thursday morning the delegation will
depart for Bangalore.
In Bangalore, the delegates will start with site visits and will
also have the opportunity to meet and network with Bangalore-based
architectural firms and Government regulators on Thursday. Friday
morning will start with an expert briefing, followed by one-on-one
business meetings. They will also have a networking lunch meeting with
members of the Confederation of Real Estate Developers' Association
(CREDIA).
The participants will attend policy, market and commercial
briefings by the U.S. Commercial Service and industry experts as well
as networking events offering further opportunities to speak with
government officials as well as potential distributors, agents,
partners and end users. U.S. participants will be counseled before and
after the mission by CS India staff. Participation in the mission will
include the following:
Pre-travel briefings on subjects from business practices
in India to security;
Pre-scheduled meetings with government officials,
potential partners, distributors, agents, end users and local industry
contacts in Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore;
Airport transfers in Chennai, Kolkata and Bangalore;
Participation in networking receptions in Chennai, Kolkata
and Bangalore; and participation in one-on-one business meetings with
potential clients, partners and distributors in all three cities.
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Proposed Timetable
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Chennai
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Sunday--October 14................................ Arrive in
Chennai.
Evening
Welcome Dinner.
Overnight
stay at Chennai.
Monday--October 15................................ Breakfast
briefing by
industry experts.
Industry
Roundtable on
Infrastructure/
Architecture/
Design.
Networking
lunch hosted by a
Chamber.
One-on-one
business meetings.
Overnight
stay in Chennai.
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Chennai/Kolkata
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Tuesday--October 16............................... Afternoon
travel to Kolkata.
Overnight
stay in Kolkata.
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Kolkata
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Wednesday--October 17............................. Site Visit.
Networking
lunch with local
industry
representatives.
One-on-one
business meetings.
Evening
networking
reception hosted by
Consul General.
Overnight
stay in Kolkata.
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Kolkata/Bangalore
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Thursday--October 18.............................. Morning
travel to
Bangalore.
Site
visits.
Meetings
with local industry
and government
officials.
Evening
networking
reception.
Overnight
stay in Bangalore.
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Bangalore
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Friday--October 19................................ Breakfast
briefing.
Roundtable/
Workshop:
Networking with
Indian
Architectural
firms.
Networking
lunch hosted by
CREDAI--The
Confederation of
Real Estate
Developers'
Association of
India.
One-on-one
business meetings.
Wrap-up
discussion followed
by dinner.
Mission
ends.
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Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the
U.S. 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 and maximum of 25
participants will be selected from the applicant pool to participate in
the mission.
Fees and Expenses
After a company or trade association has been selected to
participate on the mission, a payment to the U.S. Department of
Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The
participation fee is $4,735 for large firms and $4,575 for small or
medium-sized enterprises (SME).\1\ The fee for each additional
representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) is $750. After
the mission there is the option for gold key service match-making
meetings arranged in Mumbai, New Delhi or Ahmedabad for additional
fees.
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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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Exclusions
The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation (except for
transportation to and from meetings), and air transportation from the
U.S. to the mission sites and return to the U.S. Delegate members will,
however, be able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel
rooms. Business visas may be required. Government fees and processing
expenses to obtain such visas are also not included in the mission
costs. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce will provide
instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain
necessary business visas.
Conditions for Participation
Applicants 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 Department of Commerce receives an
incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the
application, request additional information/clarification, 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, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least fifty-one percent
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U.S. content. In the case of a trade association or trade organization,
the applicant must certify that for each company to be represented by
the association or trade organizations, the products and/or services
the represented company seeks to export 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.
In addition, each applicant must:
Certify that the products and services that it wishes to
market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export
controls and regulations;
Certify that it has identified to the Department of
Commerce for its evaluation any business pending before the Department
that may present the appearance of a conflict of interest;
Certify that it has identified any pending litigation
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that
involves the Department of Commerce; and
Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates
(1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in
connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission,
and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of
foreign officials.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Targeted mission participants are U.S. companies and trade
associations providing architectural services that have an interest in
entering or expanding their business in the Indian market. The
following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
Suitability of a company's (or in the case of a trade
association or trade organization, represented companies') products or
services to the Indian market.
Company's (or in the case of a trade association or trade
organization, represented companies') potential for business in India,
including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
Consistency of the applicant company's (or in the case of
a trade association or trade organization, represented companies')
goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
Current or pending major project participation.
Rank/seniority of the designated company representative.
Additional factors, such as diversity of company size, type,
location, and demographics, may also be considered during the review
process.
Referrals from political organizations and any documents, including
the application, 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 Application
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.export.gov/trademissions/
) 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 this mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than August 24, 2012. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review
applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis beginning
June 4, 2012, until the maximum of 25 participants is selected.
Applications received after August 24, 2012 will be considered only if
space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
U.S. Commercial Service Washington, DC
Arica Young, U.S. Commercial Service, Washington, DC, Tel: 202-482-
2833, Email: [email protected].
U.S. Commercial Service India
Sangeeta Taneja, U.S. Commercial Service, Ahmedabad, India, Tel:
+91-79-2656-5216, Email: [email protected].
Frank Spector,
Senior International Trade Specialist, Global Trade Programs.
[FR Doc. 2012-12931 Filed 5-25-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P