[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 47 (Monday, March 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15349-15351]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05525]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Trade Mission to Central America in Conjunction With the Trade 
Americas--Opportunities in Central America Conference; July 15-19, 2013

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 (USFCS) is 
organizing a trade mission to Central America, in conjunction with the 
Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central America Conference in San 
Jose, Costa Rica. U.S. trade mission delegation member participants 
will arrive in San Jose on or before July 15 to attend the opening 
ceremony of the Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central America 
Conference. Trade mission participants will attend the Conference on 
July 16. Following the Conference, participants will have the 
opportunity to participate in one-on-one business appointments arranged 
by USFCS. The following day, participants may choose to either stay in 
Costa Rica or travel to El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, or 
Nicaragua (choosing one) for additional one-on-one business 
appointments. Each one-on-one business appointment will be with a pre-
screened potential buyer, agent, distributor or joint-venture partner. 
Participants will also be invited to networking events during the 
mission.
    The 2013 Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central America 
Conference that trade mission delegation members will attend is an 
Americas focused business conference consisting of regional and 
industry specific conference sessions as well as pre-arranged 
consultations with USFCS Commercial Officers with expertise in 
commercial markets throughout the region.
    The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of 
industries with growing potential in Central America, but is focused on 
best prospects such as construction equipment/road building machinery, 
medical equipment and devices/laboratory scientific instruments, and 
safety and security equipment.
    The combination of the Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central 
America Conference and business-to-business matchmaking opportunities 
in Costa Rica and another Central American country of the mission 
participant's choice will provide participants with substantive 
knowledge and strategies for entering or expanding their business 
across the Central America region.

Commercial Setting

El Salvador

    The United States is El Salvador's leading trade partner. In 2011, 
El Salvador's Central Bank (BCR) reported that the United States had a 
38% import market share, and that 46% of Salvadoran exports go to the 
United States. El Salvador's other top trading partners are located in 
Central America. El Salvador offers an open market for U.S. goods and 
services. Tariffs are relatively low, and were reduced further with the 
implementation of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States 
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR). The value-added tax (VAT) rate in El 
Salvador is 13%. El Salvador's strategic location in Central America 
makes it a good platform for industrial and service investments aimed 
at re-exports.

Honduras

    The United States is the chief trading partner for Honduras, 
supplying 46.2 percent of Honduran imports and purchasing 33.4 percent 
of Honduran exports in 2011 (excluding maquila trade). Bilateral trade 
between the United States and Honduras totaled $10.6 billion in 2011 
and U.S. exports to Honduras continued to perform well in 2011 reaching 
$6.1 billion, an increase of 33 percent over 2010. Located in the heart 
of Central America, Honduras is the second largest country in the 
region. Its deep-water port, Puerto Cort[eacute]s, is the first port in 
Latin America to qualify under both the Megaports and Container 
Security Initiatives (CSI), which now facilitate the screening of 
approximately 90 percent of transatlantic and transpacific cargo prior 
to importation into the United States.

Guatemala

    The United States is Guatemala's main trading partner. Guatemalan 
GDP reached an estimated $46.8 billion in 2011 and exports from the 
United States to Guatemala were estimated at $6.2 billion, up 
approximately 39 percent from 2010. U.S. exports are expected to grow 
at a similar pace, at an estimated 30% per year, beyond 2013. U.S. 
products and services enjoy strong name recognition in Guatemala, and 
U.S. firms have a good reputation in the Guatemalan marketplace.

[[Page 15350]]

Costa Rica

    The United States is Costa Rica's largest trading partner, 
accounting for about 40% of Costa Rica's total imports. U.S. products 
enjoy an excellent reputation for quality and price-competitiveness. 
Proximity to the Costa Rican market is also a major advantage for U.S. 
exporters who wish to visit or communicate with potential customers. 
The proximity facilitates close contacts and strong relationships with 
clients, both before and after the sale. The same holds true for agents 
and distributors, who typically represent U.S. exporters in the 
national market.

Belize

    In 2011 and 2012, the U.S. remained Belize's principal trading 
partner. Belize is a consumer nation, relying heavily on imports. The 
United States provided over 38% of total Belizean merchandise imports 
in 2011. In 2011, $190.5 million in Belize's exports were destined for 
the U.S., and Belize was the destination for $355.7 million in imports 
from the United States.

Nicaragua

    The United States is Nicaragua's largest trading partner, the 
source of roughly a quarter of Nicaragua's imports and the destination 
for approximately two-thirds of its exports (including free zone 
exports). U.S. exports to Nicaragua totaled $1.1 billion in 2011.

Mission Goals

    The goal of the mission is to help participating U.S. companies 
find potential partners, agents, distributors, and joint venture 
partners in Costa Rica and, if requested, their choice of El Salvador, 
Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Nicaragua, laying the foundation for 
successful long-term ventures taking advantage of market opportunities 
in Central America, particularly those expanded by CAFTA-DR. The 
delegation will have access to USFCS Senior Commercial Officers, 
Commercial Specialists, and Department of State Economic Officers 
during the mission from the markets in the region, learn about the 
expansive business opportunities in Central America, and gain first-
hand market exposure. U.S. delegation members already doing business in 
Central America will have the opportunity to further advance business 
relationships and explore new transactions in those markets.

Mission Scenario

    The mission will include pre-screened individual appointments with 
potential business partners in any two Central American markets; 
industry and country market briefings; logistical support; networking 
with leading industry and government officials; and registration for 
the Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central America Conference, 
including conference materials and admission to all sessions and 
networking events.
    U.S. delegation members will arrive in Costa Rica on or before July 
15, 2013 to attend the opening ceremony of the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in Central America Conference. On July 15-16, 2013 
delegation members will participate in the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in Central America Conference featuring market briefings 
on Central America business opportunities by trade and industry 
experts. On July15, 2013, during the Conference, delegation members 
will participate in pre-arranged, private consultations with Commercial 
and Economic Officers from the markets in the region, as well as 
service providers. On July 17-19, mission participants may stay in 
Costa Rica for Business-to-Business meetings or travel to El Salvador, 
Honduras, Guatemala, Belize or Nicaragua (choosing one) for additional 
business-to-business meetings.

Mission Timetable

July 14 Travel Day
July 15 Registration, Market Briefings, and Networking Reception
July 16 Trade Americas--Opportunities in Central America: Conference 
and Business Consultations
July 17 Business-to-Business Meetings in Costa Rica
July 18-19 Business-to-Business Meetings in (Choice of one stop):
    (1) Honduras (OR)
    (2) Guatemala (OR)
    (3) El Salvador (OR)
    (4) Belize (OR)
    (5) Nicaragua
July 20 Travel Day

Participation Requirements

Other Products and Services

    The foregoing analysis of export opportunities in Central America 
is not intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative of the many 
opportunities available to U.S. businesses. Applications from companies 
selling products or services generally within the scope of this mission 
will be considered and evaluated by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. and Foreign 
Commercial Service Trade Mission to Central America 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 20 and a maximum of 30 companies will be selected to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool on a first come, 
first served basis. Approximately eight companies will be selected to 
participate in Business-to-Business Meetings on July 17-19 in Costa 
Rica; 6 firms in Guatemala, and El Salvador; approximately three 
companies will be selected for Honduras; and approximately two 
companies will be selected for Belize and Nicaragua. U.S. companies 
already doing business in, or seeking to enter the market in Costa 
Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize and/or Nicaragua for the 
first time may apply.

Fees and 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.
    For business to business meetings in Costa Rica only (not traveling 
to an additional trade mission country), the participation fee will be 
$2,100 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) \1\* and $3,100 for 
large firms*.
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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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    For business-to-business meetings in Costa Rica and another market, 
i.e. El Salvador OR Honduras OR Guatemala OR Belize OR Nicaragua, the 
participation fee will be $2,800 for a small or medium-sized enterprise 
(SME)* and $3,800 for large firms*.
    The mission registration fee also includes the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in Central America Conference registration fee of $450 
for one participant from each firm, market briefing, networking 
reception, interpreters associated with the conference and business 
consultations. There will be a $300 fee for each additional firm 
representative (large firm or SME) that wishes to participate in 
Business-to-Business meetings after the conference.
    Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals (e.g., 
local

[[Page 15351]]

transportation, interpreters) will be the responsibility of each 
mission participant.

Intergovernmental Cooperation and Assistance for Small Businesses

    The U.S. Small Business Administration is partnering with State 
trade organizations to promote increased trade and exporting through 
the State Trade and Export Promotion (STEP) program. As part of this 
program, some States are offering financial assistance for U.S. small 
businesses to assist them in pursuing export opportunities, such as 
through participation on a Department of Commerce trade mission. Small 
businesses interested in more information about the STEP in their State 
are encouraged to contact their State STEP representative (contact 
information available by clicking on the interactive map at 
www.sba.gov/step) to learn more about the resources and assistance 
offered by their State trade organization.

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 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 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 each 
of the markets the company has expressed an interest in visiting as 
part of this trade mission.
     Company's potential for business in each of the markets 
the company has expressed an interest in visiting as part of this trade 
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 publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar on www.export.gov, the Trade Americas 
Web page at (http://export.gov/tradeamericas/tradeevents/trademissions/centralamericajuly2013/index.asp), and other Internet Web sites, press 
releases to the general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax, 
notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups and 
announcements at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade 
shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than May 17, 2013. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis until the 
maximum of 30 participants are selected beginning March 15, 2013. After 
May 17, 2013, companies will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

U.S. Contact Information:
    Jessica Gordon, U.S. Export Assistance Center--Jackson, MS, 
[email protected], Tel: 601-373-0784
    Diego Gattesco, U.S. Export Assistance Center--Wheeling WV, 
[email protected], Tel: 304-243-5493
Central America Contact Information:
    Angela Dawkins, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service--El 
Salvador, [email protected]
    Maria Rivera, Regional Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service--El Salvador, [email protected]

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2013-05525 Filed 3-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P