[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7752-7755]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-02262]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Trade Mission to Egypt and Kuwait
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Replacement Notice.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign
[[Page 7753]]
Commercial Service is replacing the Notice regarding the Trade Mission
to Egypt and Kuwait March 10-14, 2013, published at 77 FR 71777,
December 4, 2012, to cancel the Kuwait portion of the mission, and
reschedule the Egypt portion to April 14 to 16, and the application
deadline to March 14.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In June 2012 the Department of Commerce
initiated recruitment for participation in the U.S. Trade Mission to
Egypt and Kuwait March 10-14, 2013, published at 77 FR 33439, June 6,
2012. In 77 FR 71777, December 4, 2012, the Department of Commerce
announced that the application deadline for the mission was extended
until January 18, 2013. Since then, due to unforeseen circumstances,
the Kuwait portion of the mission has been cancelled, and Trade Mission
to Egypt will be April 14 to 16 and the application deadline March 14.
Interested firms that have not already submitted an application are
encouraged to apply. Applications will be accepted after the deadline
only to the extent that space remains and scheduling constraints
permit.
Replacement
The Trade Mission to Egypt and Kuwait is replaced to read as
follows:
Business Development Mission to Trade Mission to Cairo, Egypt
April 14-16, 2013.
Mission Description
The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a
Trade Mission to Cairo, Egypt to explore opportunities in the following
sectors: electric power infrastructure, building products and design
and construction, and safety and security.
Led by a senior executive of the Department of Commerce or other
U.S. Government agency, the trade mission will include one-on-one
business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents,
distributors and joint venture partners; meetings with national and
regional government officials, chambers of commerce, and business
groups; and networking receptions for companies and trade associations
representing companies interested in expansion into the North African
and Middle Eastern markets. Meetings will be offered with government
authorities that can address questions about policies, tariff rates,
incentives, grid interconnection, regulation, etc.
The mission will help participating firms and trade associations
gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business
strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing
U.S. exports to Egypt. Participating in an official U.S. industry
delegation, rather than traveling to Egypt on their own, will enhance
the companies' ability to secure meetings in Egypt.
Commercial Setting
Egypt is strategically located at the gateway of trade for Africa
and the Middle East. It is a prime location for the transit of goods,
as well as a key destination for American companies seeking to do
business in the region. Egypt has experienced profound political
changes over the past year. On February 11, 2011, President Hosni
Mubarak's 30-year rule came to an end. In January 2012, Egypt seated
its first freely and fairly elected parliament, and has held a
Presidential election. In the meantime, the United States remains
committed to a strong partnership with Egypt.
As the largest Arab country with a population of 90 million, Egypt
is the fourth largest export market for U.S. products and services in
the Middle East. The United States is Egypt's largest bilateral trading
partner, and the second largest investor. In 2011, bilateral trade
reached $8.2 billion. The gross domestic product (GDP) grew over five
percent from 2009 to 2010. According to Business Monitor
International's forecasts, Egypt's real GDP is expanding 2.1% in
FY2011/12 and projected to grow 4.9% in FY2012/13 (Egypt's fiscal year
is July through June). Egyptian law requires that foreign companies
retain Egyptian commercial agents for public tenders, but they may work
directly with private companies. Most foreign companies have found it
beneficial, however, to engage a local agent for private sector
transactions as well because of their familiarity of the language, law
and general business practices. Based on geographical location or
product basis, a firm can appoint multiple agents in Egypt to further
enhance its success.
Best Sector Prospects
Electric Power Infrastructure
Egypt is one of the largest electrical energy producing countries
in the Middle East. Over the next ten years, Egypt plans to expand its
electricity capacity to 60,000 megawatts through a combination of
traditional, renewable, and energy production to diversify energy
resources and preserve the country's limited oil and gas reserves.
Opportunities exist for U.S. providers of gas turbines, steam turbines,
hydro and wind turbines, blades, and other equipment, as well as
development and project management. Best prospects in the energy sector
include circuit breakers of more than 66kv, power transformers of more
than 25MVA-66kva, power transmission lines, turbine generator units
with associated equipment, and vibration dampers.
The US&FCS will organize meetings for the mission delegates with
the Ministry of Electricity and Energy, and the New and Renewable
Energy Authority government officials who can address questions about
policies, tariff rates, incentives, grid interconnection, price
subsidy, and regulations.
Building Products and Design and Construction
The Government of Egypt (GOE) directed $1.9 billion to Egypt's
infrastructure in 2010. With over 50 percent of the population under
the age of 25 and a strong tourism market, there has been increased
pressure on Egypt's roads, bridges, railroads, power stations, water
and sewage, hospitals, and schools. According to the GOE, growth in the
construction sector reached 4.25% in 2010 and will rise to 5.63% in
2014. It is expected to grow by a robust 4.91% year-on-year from 2010
to 2014, reaching a total value of $15.8 billion. Such growth is
expected to attract investments of around $7.3 billion by 2015. Demand
in the sector is on the rise mainly because of rapid demographic growth
and housing shortages, particularly in the low- and middle-income
segments. Construction accounts for around 8% of total employment, with
a workforce of 1.2 million people in the sector.
As an active importing and exporting country with a trade volume
reaching $19.5 billion in 2011, there is an ongoing need for state-of-
the-art logistics centers, intermodal connecting systems, cold storage,
and river transportation. Logistics centers are considered critical to
the global supply chain and will affect logistics decisions ranging
from shipping routes to warehouse locations.
In 2012, the Egyptian government's General Authority for Investment
announced the following major plans for infrastructure development:
The 6th of October Wastewater Treatment Plant: design,
construction operation and maintenance of a new 150,000 m3/day plant,
valued at $15-29 million
Abu Rawash Wastewater Treatment Plant: upgrading of the
plant, valued at $990 million
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East Port Said Port: includes a duty free zone area, road
and rail networks, a power station, communication center, value-added
services, valued at $1.5 billion
Alexandria Medical City: a medical center project for
which the Egyptian government seeks private investment for financing,
designing, constructing, equipping, furnishing, maintenance, operating
and providing non-clinical facility services for two University
Hospitals and a blood bank, valued at $1.45 billion
Some projects will be awarded based on the Egyptian government's
``Public Private Partnership'' (PPP) program, a multi-faceted
initiative to attract private sector investment for infrastructure
projects.
Safety and Security
The safety and security industry is booming throughout Egypt as the
country deals with increased security issues ranging from private
citizen safety to transaction fraud. Safety and security imports to
Egypt have increased 10-15% annually for the past few years and U.S.
brands are well received. This is primarily a government market,
dominated by the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Defense.
As the country works to increase tourism over the next few years (a
government priority post-revolution), airports and seaports will need
upgraded security systems. Police and customs authorities will also
have an increased need for such systems. Egypt has eight major ports
and three cross-country borders that require significant security
measures. In its fight against drug smuggling and counterfeit products,
Egypt requires container scanning and shipment tracking devices. Egypt
is also looking at container scanning upgrades and seafarer
identification cards for more secure identification and synchronizing
systems to coordinate security measures and responses. Accordingly,
opportunities exist for U.S firms providing short-range radar systems,
surveillance cameras, infrared and radiological detectors, vessel
tracking MIS, biometric scanners, personnel databases, computer
peripherals, and systems integration equipment. Companies that can
provide proven, cutting-edge technologies will have an advantage in
these export opportunities.
Mission Goals
The goal of the trade mission is to provide U.S. participants with
first-hand market information, access to government decision makers as
appropriate and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, including
potential agents, distributors and partners, so they can position
themselves to enter or expand their presence in the Egypt.
Mission Scenario
Cairo is the capital of Egypt and the largest city in Africa. The
business week runs from Sunday through Thursday.
Proposed Timetable
Saturday, 13 April, Arrival in Cairo.
Sunday, 14 April, Orientation and market briefings, business
luncheon with American Chamber of Commerce and U.S. Ambassador's
networking reception.
Monday, 15 April, One-on-one business appointments; business
lunch--General Authority For Investment and Free Zones presentation on
major public-private partnership projects; group dinner.
Tuesday, 16 April, One-on-one business appointments.
End of Mission
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the Trade Mission to
Egypt 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 U.S. companies and/or trade
associations and maximum of 20 companies and/or trade associations will
be selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S.
companies or trade associations already doing business with Egypt, as
well as U.S. companies or trade associations seeking to enter these
countries for the first time may apply.
Fees and Expenses
After a company 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 fee for one representative to
participate in the mission is $1400 for an SME and $2100 for large
firms or trade associations. The fee for each additional company or
association representative (SME or large firm) is $400. Expenses for
travel, lodging, most meals, interpreters, and incidentals are the
responsibility of each mission participant. Participants may be able to
take advantage of Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
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 51 percent 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 trade association or trade
organization, the products and 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.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
Suitability of the company's (or, in the case of a trade
association or trade organization, represented companies') products or
services to the targeted markets
Applicant's (or, in the case of a trade association or
trade organization, represented companies') potential for business in
the target markets, 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 Export.gov--and other Internet Web sites; publication
in trade publications and association newsletters; direct outreach to
the Department's clients; posting in the Federal Register; and
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announcements at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade
shows.
Recruitment for the mission will begin January 28, 2013 and
conclude no later than March 14, 2013. The U.S. Department of Commerce
will review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling
basis until the maximum of twenty participants is reached. We will
inform all applicants of selection decisions as soon as possible after
the applications are reviewed. Applications received after the March 14
deadline will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints
permit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
U.S. Commercial Service Cairo, Egypt U.S. Commercial Service
Washington, DC
Dennis Simmons, Deputy Senior Commercial Anne Novak
Officer
U.S. Commercial Service U.S. Commercial Service
Embassy of the United States of America Washington, DC
Email: [email protected] Tel: (202) 482-8178
Tel: (202) 2797-2610 Email: [email protected]
Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2013-02262 Filed 2-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P