[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 51 (Friday, March 15, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16465-16470]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05963]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Energy and Environment Trade Mission to Malaysia, Thailand and 
the Philippines

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 Energy and Environment Trade Mission to Malaysia, Thailand, and the 
Philippines. This Mission will directly support the ``U.S.-ASEAN 
Expanded Economic Engagement'' or E3 Initiative announced by President 
Obama at the 2012 U.S.-ASEAN Summit.
    The ``E3'' Initiative focuses on enhancing ASEAN members' capacity 
for advancing issues that will open up trade and opportunities for U.S. 
companies and among ASEAN member states in the region. The E-3 
Initiative is a new framework for economic cooperation designed to 
expand trade and investment ties between the United States and ASEAN, 
creating new business opportunities and jobs in all eleven countries. 
The E3 Initiative builds upon the U.S.-Asia Pacific Comprehensive 
Energy Partnership designed to expand energy and environmental 
cooperation to advance efforts to ensure affordable, secure, and 
cleaner energy.
    To support these efforts, the mission will expose U.S. companies to 
promising market potentials in Energy and Environmental Technologies 
markets in Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. Led by a senior 
Commerce Department official, during the week of September 15, the 
mission will include representatives from a cross-section of U.S. firms 
operating in energy and environmental technologies.
    Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than 
traveling to Malaysia, Thailand, and the

[[Page 16466]]

Philippines independently, will enhance the companies' ability to 
secure meetings with potential customers, partners, and relevant 
government officials. The delegation will visit Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, 
and Manila. Through the Commercial Service office at the Asian 
Development Bank (CS ADB) in Manila, mission participants will also 
have the opportunity to schedule meetings with Asian Development Bank 
officials to explore business opportunities in Malaysia, Thailand, and 
the Philippines, in addition to the 42 additional ADB developing member 
countries. At each mission stop, the program will include briefings, 
networking receptions, and one-on-one business meetings with potential 
customers, partners and local representatives.

Commercial Setting: Malaysia

Overview

    Malaysia's economy, the third largest in South-East Asia behind 
Indonesia and Thailand, has grown steadily since recovering from the 
1997-98 Asian financial crisis. GDP declined by 1.5 per cent in 2009, 
due to the global economic crisis, before recovering to 7.2 percent 
growth in 2010 and 5.1 percent growth in 2011. Economic growth for 2012 
was around 4.4 percent with 2013 predicted to also be in the 4.5 
percent range. Malaysia has one of the highest living standards in 
South-East Asia and a very low unemployment rate. Budgetary deficits 
are slowly increasing due to the need to compensate for weak private 
investment which is driving public debt. A ``New Economic Model'' (NEM) 
intended to promote innovation and to increase production profits, was 
launched together with the Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011-2015). The 
objective is to bring the budget deficit to three percent of GDP by 
2015 (currently 5.2 percent) and double per capita income by 2020. The 
oil and gas sector provides almost 40 percent of government revenue.
    Bilateral U.S.-Malaysia trade totaled around US $40 billion in 
2012, about the same as 2011. China has displaced the United States as 
Malaysia's largest trading partner and is a key destination for 
Malaysian inputs into goods assembled there and then re-exported (often 
to the United States). The United States is Malaysia's largest foreign 
investor.
    According to key development indicators, Malaysia is now a high 
middle-income, export-oriented economy, with per capita GDP (in current 
prices) of US$10,085 (and $16,900 using PPP per capita) in 2012, life 
expectancy of 74 years and gross primary school enrolment of 100 per 
cent of the school-age population. The Tenth Malaysia Plan (2011-
2015)--the Malaysian Government's economic blueprint for the next five 
years--places an emphasis on becoming a high-income nation, 
inclusiveness and sustainability.

Energy

    Malaysia is expected to experience a large increase in overall 
energy demand. Sustainable development of the energy sector, 
particularly in the industrial, transportation and commercial sectors, 
contributes to the economic competitiveness of Malaysia and will 
continue to be a high priority of the Government of Malaysia (GOM). The 
GOM will continue to encourage development of both fossil and renewable 
energy resources to cater to the demands of a rapidly growing economy. 
The main thrust will be to ensure adequate, secure, cost-effective 
energy, and minimize the negative impact on the environment.
    Oil and Gas: The GOM has placed a high priority on expanding oil 
and gas production, and has enacted tax and other incentives to 
encourage development of marginal fields, enhance recovery from 
existing, depleted fields, and expand deepwater offshore production. 
Oil field services and equipment suppliers are also finding new 
opportunities in Malaysia. Use of oil products, natural gas and coal 
are increasing to meet increasing demands in all sectors, particularly 
manufacturing, service & commercial, and transportation. Electricity's 
share of final energy demand is expected to increase from 18 percent in 
2009 to 21 percent in 2020. The fuel mix contribution from renewable 
energy is expected to grow from 8.3 percent in 2012 to over 12 percent 
by 2020. The demand for oil and gas will likely continue to grow.
    Current opportunities include partnerships and supply agreements 
with larger U.S. companies. Exxon/Mobil produces almost half of 
Malaysia's present hydrocarbon output. Triton, Amerada Hess, and Murphy 
are likely to be joining existing producers Exxon/Mobil and Shell in 
the next few years as large hydrocarbon producers.
    Renewables: Malaysia is also encouraging the development of 
renewable energy, especially solar, hydro and biomass, and recently 
implemented a feed-in tariff regime. The government wants to maximize 
potential gains from increasing energy efficiency, an area with 
significant potential for U.S. firms. In addition to creating a 
Sustainable Energy Development Authority, GOM is also emphasizing 
biofuels and has taken steps to boost development by mandating a feed-
in tariff program and the mandatory blending of biofuels for transport 
sector which was approved by the Malaysian Parliament in 2011.
    The government hopes that, by 2015, that environmental friendly 
energy would satisfy about 5.5 percent or 985MW. Solar energy will play 
a key role as Malaysia expects to have installed more than 3,000 MW of 
new renewable of which about one-third (1,250 MW) will be from solar PV 
by 2015. Additional areas include biomass energy (1,065 MW) satisfying 
about 11 percent of Malaysia's estimated energy consumption. The Energy 
Commission of Malaysia estimated that US$23 billion worth of business 
could potentially be generated from these projects from now through 
2020.
    Electricity Generation and Distribution: Foreign investors are 
permitted to own up to 49 percent of an Independent Power Producer 
(IPP) or power plant in Malaysia. Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is a 
state-owned electricity utility company that has a monopoly on 
electricity distribution in Malaysia. TNB generates its own electricity 
and purchases electricity from IPPs with power generation plants 
located in Malaysia. Peninsular Malaysia is connected to an electricity 
grid with Singapore and Thailand.
    Energy Efficiency: Malaysia has been making strides to improve the 
energy efficiency of its facilities. The country's Institute of 
Architects (PAM) and Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia 
(ACEM) has recently developed the Green Building Index, which 
incorporates recognized practices in designing and constructing 
environmentally friendly operations in Malaysia. These organizations 
and others have been advocating for higher energy efficiency and 
sustainable townships with houses that will be equipped with eco-
friendly features such as solar power heating and photovoltaic 
generators. Tax exemptions on capital expenditure for the development 
of green technology have been introduced. The Ministry of Green 
Technology and Water to companies are issuing soft loans for these 
projects as well.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

     Companies supplying technology, equipment and know-how 
within the area of RE and EE products and equipment;
     Companies considering joint ventures and/or licensing of 
technology

[[Page 16467]]

in the fields of RE and EE equipment or systems.

Environmental Technologies

    Environmental technologies are becoming a growth sector in 
Malaysia. However, this sector is still somewhat undeveloped as the 
environment was not a key priority until the Malaysian Prime Minister's 
announcement at the Copenhagen Climate Summit that Malaysia would adopt 
a voluntary reduction of up to 40 percent in terms of emissions 
intensity of GDP by 2020.
    Malaysia has experienced problems with the discharge of untreated 
sewage, particularly along the west coast. Malaysia's water pollution 
problem also extends to its rivers, of which 40 percent are polluted. 
The nation has 580 cubic kilometers of water with 76 percent used for 
farming and 13 percent used for industrial activity. Malaysia's cities 
produce an average of 1.5 million tons of solid waste per year.
    Clean-air legislation limiting industrial and automobile emissions 
was adopted in 1978. However, air pollution from both of these sources 
is still a problem. In the mid-1990s, Malaysia ranked among 50 nations 
with the world's highest industrial carbon dioxide emissions, which 
totaled 70.5 million metric tons per year, a per capita level of 3.74 
metric tons per year. Discharge of oil by vessels in Malaysian waters 
is prohibited. (Source: Encyclopedia of the Nations Web site)
    Considering Malaysia's recent emphasis on environmental clean-up, 
potential opportunities exist for U.S. firms with expertise in 
environmental cleanup, especially areas focused on the cleanup of 
energy projects such as soil remediation.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

     Water treatment equipment and supplies;
     Emissions control equipment and technologies;
     Soil remediation equipment and technologies.

Commercial Setting: Thailand

Overview

    Thailand is Southeast Asia's second largest economy (behind 
Indonesia), and the fourth richest nation, according to per capita GDP, 
after Singapore, Brunei and Malaysia. It also functions as an anchor 
economy for neighboring developing countries (Laos, Myanmar, and 
Cambodia). The economy can be described as ``newly industrialized,'' 
and heavily export-dependent economy, with exports accounting for more 
than two thirds of its gross domestic product (GDP).
    Thailand recovered well from the global financial crisis with rapid 
implementation of fiscal stimulus and monetary easing packages, but its 
economy suffered in the wake of the Japanese tsunami. However, after a 
strong recovery in 2010, the country suffered the worst floods in the 
last fifty years in the fall of 2011 which adversely impacted the 
industrial core of the country's economy and stalled growth. In spite 
of the impact of the crisis on the country, its unemployment rate has 
remained low (1.4 percent).
    The Thai Government has introduced a number of economic stimulus 
measures, including raising the minimum wage, buying rice from farmers 
at a price above market, offering preferential credit to farmers and 
improving the quality of free healthcare in the provinces. Programs to 
support businesses and homes affected by flooding and to improve 
infrastructure for water supply have also been launched. The Central 
Bank will also lower interest rates to support the economy.
    The Thai Government has also announced a series of large-scale 
infrastructure projects and spending plans to support private 
consumption and stimulate domestic demand. The policies are designed to 
launch the Thai economy to a higher level of growth that relies less on 
exports. However, the additional spending raises the risk of more rapid 
inflation, which the Bank of Thailand is closely monitoring.

Energy

    Over the past two decades, energy demand in Thailand has increased 
continuously at an annual average rate of 4.4 percent, corresponding 
with the annual economic growth rate of 4.5 percent. The country spends 
approximately $32 billion on energy imports, which account for 60 
percent of total energy consumption. Thailand imports over 80 percent 
of crude oil from the Middle East whereas the majority of natural gas 
supply comes from domestic production. Industry (37 percent) and 
transport (35 percent) are the leading energy-consuming sectors.
    Electricity generation in Thailand is highly dependent on natural 
gas. As electricity demand grows, the Thai economy could become more 
vulnerable from high gas dependence in its power sector. Between 2007 
and 2021, electricity demand is expected to increase at 5.7 percent per 
year.
    To cope with energy security issue and retain the country's 
competitiveness, Thailand has launched a 20-year Energy Efficiency 
Development Plan (EEDP) to reduce energy intensity by 25 percent in 
2030 or about 30,000 thousand tons of crude oil equivalent (ktoe). 
According to the EEDP, renewable energy would account for 25 percent of 
Thailand's total energy consumption. The best opportunities for 
renewable energy in Thailand include biomass, biogas, solar and waste-
to-energy. To promote renewable energy, Thailand offers subsidies to 
energy providers. In addition, the country plans to spend about $13 
billion over the next fifteen years to build a smart grid system.
    Current projects in Thailand include an upcoming oil and gas 
exploration bid round, upstream and downstream development, natural gas 
pipeline construction, and expansion of an existing LNG terminal. The 
Director General of Thailand's Department of Mineral Fuels announced a 
new round of bidding for 22 onshore and offshore exploration licenses, 
which is expected to be held mid 2013. PTT, the Thai state-owned oil 
and gas company, has set an aggressive investment plan over the next 20 
years, focusing on upstream and downstream sectors, alternative energy 
and petrochemical industry. PTT is going to construct a 100 km onshore 
gas transmission pipeline to Nakhon Sawan province in order to serve 
the increasing demand of domestic energy consumption. PTT also won its 
bid for two Myanmar onshore oil blocks and the 47 company is proceeding 
with a $2 billion plan to develop a gas production facility and a 300 
km gas pipeline in the Gulf of Martaban. Finally, PTT may expand its 
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal to cope with the 
country's growth in natural gas demand.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

     Oil and gas exploration and development;
     Energy efficiency equipment and technologies;
     Smart grid systems;
     Green building materials and technologies;
     Solar equipment and technologies;
     Gas engines, small gas turbines;
     Syngas and biogas equipment, exchangers and boilers for 
cogeneration/tri-generation and waste-to-energy;
     Emissions control equipment.

Environmental Technologies

    Thailand's total annual market for environmental technologies is 
estimated at US$2 billion, with construction and engineering services 
representing 85% of that market. Water treatment and water resources 
equipment shared over half of the market. Since the wastewater segment 
still relies heavily on imported products, U.S. products are well-

[[Page 16468]]

received by local market. The other half of the market is for solid 
waste treatment equipment and air pollution control equipment which 
represent 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively. There are no 
restrictions on the importation of environmental equipment and tariff 
rates imposed on equipment range from 0-5 percent.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

     Water treatment equipment and supplies;
     Solid waste treatment equipment;
     Emissions control equipment.

Commercial Setting: The Philippines

Overview

    The Philippine economy is the fifth largest in ASEAN (after 
Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore). The economy has 
recovered from the global financial crisis and last year recorded a GDP 
growth rate of 6.7 percent, the second highest in Asia.
    As a newly industrialized country, the Philippine economy has been 
transitioning from one based on agriculture to one based more on 
services and manufacturing. The macroeconomic fundamentals for the 
Philippine economy remain strong. Inflation and interest rates are low, 
and the currency is stable and is maintaining strength against the U.S. 
dollar. Under the Aquino administration, governance has improved with a 
significant effort to combat corruption in the government ranks.
    Overseas Filipinos' remittance income, which accounts for more than 
10 percent of the Philippine economy, remains remarkably resilient and 
continues to support domestic consumption. Business Process 
Outsourcing, an increasingly important driver of the economy, has grown 
tremendously in recent years. The Philippines has surpassed India in 
``voice'' call centers. The Government has shown a commitment to 
economic reform which has the potential to open up other areas for 
economic cooperation in both trade and investment.
    Goldman Sachs estimates that by the year 2050, it will be the 14th 
largest economy in the world and includes the Philippines in its list 
of the Next Eleven economies. HSBC projects the Philippine economy to 
become the 16th largest economy in the world, fifth largest economy in 
Asia, and the largest economy in the South East Asian region by 2050.
    The country's major trading partners include the United States, 
Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, 
Germany, Taiwan, and Thailand. Bilateral trade in 2012 in goods between 
the U.S. and the Philippines amounted to over $17.6 billion. U.S. 
exports have risen by 40 percent since 2009.

Energy

    The Philippines is highly dependent on oil imports to, and is 
sensitive and vulnerable to world price increases and oil disruptions 
having no sufficient indigenous fossil energy resources. This has 
prompted the government to develop a more comprehensive energy 
management policy toward the more judicious and efficient utilization 
of energy across sectors. The public would like to see a dynamic 
government action plan that will address the high prices of energy, the 
development of non-polluting energy resources (renewable energy), and 
potentially nuclear energy.
    The Philippine Government seeks to ensure ``Energy Access for 
More,'' an effort to expand reliable and affordable access to energy to 
the larger populace. The new Aquino Government has outlined the 
following three (3) major pillars as its overall guidepost and 
direction for the energy sector:
    (a) Ensure energy security;
    (b) Achieve optimal energy pricing; and,
    (c) Develop a sustainable energy plan.
    The programs that will lead to the attainment of the pillars have 
been phased into medium--(2011-2013) and long-term (2013-2016) 
timelines. The implementation of the Electric Power Industry Reform Act 
(EPIRA--Republic Act No. 9136), which provides a framework for the 
restructuring of the electric power industry, has gained momentum, as 
noted by recent successes in privatization of assets previously owned 
by the National Power Corporation (NPC). This restructuring scheme 
seeks to ensure quality, reliable, secure and affordable electric power 
supply, encourage the free and fair competition, enhance the inflow of 
private capital, and broaden the ownership base of power generation, 
transmission and distribution.
    Meanwhile, demand for power infrastructure continues to surge, and 
that will require additional capacity in the main grid areas (i.e., 
Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao). Older power plants are being retired or 
decommissioned. According to the Philippine Department of Energy's 
(DOE) Philippine Energy Plan (2009-2030), demand for electricity will 
grow annually at an average of 4-7 percent. The expected increase in 
energy use is fueled by increased economic activity, notably in the, 
business process outsourcing, transportation, and building and 
construction industries (chiefly in the public infrastructure, 
commercial and residential segments).

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

    Most of the imported electrical power systems are supplied by 
China, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore. Industry insiders note increasing 
demand for various electrical power systems and related products and 
technology, which include:
     Renewable energy equipment and supplies such as turbines, 
solar systems, hybrid power systems;
     Power generation equipment and supplies;
     Energy Efficiency Technologies (green building, energy 
management);
     Transformers, circuit breakers, connectors;
     Kilowatt hour (kWh) meters and related electronic metering 
equipment;
     Protection Devices (e.g., lightning arresters, reclosers, 
switch gears, voltage regulators);
     Efficient and Long-Lasting Lighting Systems/Equipment;
     Stand-by Mobile Power.

Environmental Technologies

    The Philippine market for water resource equipment and services is 
expected to grow by at least five percent yearly in view of the current 
impending projects that address increasing water scarcity, and 
sanitation and wastewater-related problems. The country's water supply 
requirement is escalating.
    The Philippines has a population of over 90 million, growing at an 
average annual rate of two percent. Approximately 20-50 percent of the 
population does not have access to safe drinking water. Sixteen 
national rivers and lakes are already biologically dead and only one-
third of river systems are suitable as water supply sources. Depletion 
of groundwater resources has been an increasing problem in some areas 
of the country.
    Wastewater management is also a major concern as indiscriminate 
discharging of untreated wastewater over the years, particularly from 
domestic sources, has caused major pollution problems, especially in 
extremely urbanized areas. The Philippines is highly dependent on 
imported water and wastewater treatment products and services. Japan, 
the United States, and Singapore are the major sources of water and 
wastewater treatment products and equipment of the Philippines.
    Government entities fund its water-related projects through a 
mixture of national/local government budgets and foreign (governments, 
multilateral and

[[Page 16469]]

bilateral agencies) loans/grants. Water districts use internally-
generated funds, loans and grants. Private entities finance water and 
wastewater treatment projects through internal funds or loans.
    Current opportunities include the expansion and improvement of 
water and sewerage services. The Government sponsored New Water Supply 
Source Project, will augment the supply of potable water in Metro 
Manila. Costing about US$581 million, this project involves the 
construction of a dam, water treatment plant, and associated main 
pipeline.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects

     Products and technologies that provide for greater 
efficiency in the use of water resources;
     Wastewater treatment technologies;
     Emissions control equipment.

Asian Development Bank

    The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank are among the 
financial agencies that support water projects in the Philippines. 
Sustainable development is at the heart of the Asian Development Bank's 
core mission. Consistent with the bank's energy policy, ADB programs, 
projects and policies support investments in energy efficiency, clean 
energy and environmental sustainability.
    ADB's investment target for clean energy is $2 billion yearly 
targeted towards helping its developing member countries reduce their 
dependence on imported energy sources, and develop indigenous renewable 
energy resources such as solar, hydropower or geothermal. In the 
Philippines, $336 million in projects for energy efficient vehicles, 
climate change mitigation through energy efficiency and clean energy, 
wind farm projects in Luzon, and a renewable energy project for a rural 
community in Mindanao are already in various stages of implementation. 
ADB's lending to Thailand and Malaysia are limited, given that these 
countries are graduating into developed country status. However, public 
sector projects for energy efficient municipalities in Thailand and a 
power transmission project in Sarawak, Malaysia $110 million) are 
planned. Both countries can also continue to access funding from ADB's 
Private Sector Department.
    For the environment sector, ADB's current portfolio through 2014 is 
at $7 billion. This includes $190 million in water supply and 
sanitation and solid waste management projects in the Philippines.

Other Products and Services

    The foregoing analysis of infrastructure export opportunities in 
Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines is not intended to be 
exhaustive, but illustrative of the many opportunities available to 
U.S. businesses. Applications from companies selling products or 
services within the scope of this mission, but not specifically 
identified, will be considered and evaluated by the U.S. Department of 
Commerce. Companies whose products or services do not fit the scope of 
the mission may contact their local U.S. Export Assistance Center 
(USEAC) to learn about other business development missions and services 
that may provide more targeted export opportunities. Companies may call 
1-800-872-8723, or go to http://help.export.gov/ to obtain such 
information. This information also may be found on the Web site: http://www.export.gov.

Mission Goals

    The mission will expose U.S. companies to growing markets in 
Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines, and provide them an 
opportunity to supply products and services to energy efficiency and 
environmental products and services in these markets. The mission will 
help U.S. companies obtain actionable market intelligence, establish 
business and government contacts, solidify business strategies, and/or 
advance specific projects.
    The mission's goals include:
     Facilitating first-hand market exposure and access to U.S. 
and host country government decision makers.
     Helping companies gain valuable international business 
experience and market intelligence in the energy efficiency and 
environmental technologies sectors in Malaysia, Thailand, the 
Philippines, and other Asian Development Bank member countries;
     Arranging high-quality, targeted one-on-one business-to-
business (B2B) matchmaking appointments;
     Providing access to key local and American private-sector 
industry contacts, including potential trading partners; and
     Helping U.S. companies strengthen their engagement in 
these growing ASEAN markets, leading to increased exports and, in turn, 
job creation.

Mission Scenario

    Participants will attend country briefings, seminars, one-on-one 
business meetings and networking receptions. The precise agenda will 
depend upon the availability of local government and private sector 
officials, as well as on the specific goals and makeup of the mission 
participants. The U.S Commercial Service and its partners in Malaysia, 
Thailand, the Philippines and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) stand by 
to assist the Trade Mission participants.

                                                                    Mission Timetable
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Sunday, September 15, 2013......................  Bangkok
                                                      Arrival and Mission Briefing
Monday, September 16, 2013......................  Bangkok
                                                      Embassy Briefing.
                                                      Ministry Briefing.
                                                      B2B Meetings.
                                                      Networking Reception/AMCHAM Event.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013.....................  Bangkok
                                                      B2B Meetings.
                                                      Depart for Kuala Lumpur (late afternoon).
Wednesday, September 18, 2013...................  Kuala Lumpur
                                                      Embassy Briefing.
                                                      Ministry Briefing.
                                                      B2B Meetings.
Thursday, September 19, 2013....................  Kuala Lumpur
                                                      Additional B2B Meetings.
                                                      Depart for Manila (mid-day).
                                                     Manila
                                                      Embassy Briefing/Welcome Reception.

[[Page 16470]]

 
Friday, September 20, 2013......................  Manila
                                                      B2B Meetings.
                                                      ADB Briefing (optional).
                                                      Farewell Reception.
Saturday, September 21, 2013....................  Manila
                                                      ADB Briefing (Alternative Time), Site Visits or Departure.
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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 
Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated, on a rolling 
basis, on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the 
selection criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 20 
companies will be selected to participate in the mission from the 
applicant pool.

Fees And Expenses

    After a company or organization 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 for the Trade 
Mission is $4,023 for a small or medium-sized firm (SME),\1\ and $5,210 
for large firms. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) $1,500. Expenses for travel, lodging, 
meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission 
participant. Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. 
Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
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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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Exclusions

    The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such 
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation, except as stated 
in the proposed timetable, and air transportation from the U.S. to the 
mission sites and return to the United States. 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 of Participation

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. companies actively engaged 
in the energy efficiency, clean energy, and environmental sectors. 
Primary emphasis will be placed on export-ready companies that are 
seeking to do business actively in these markets for the first time.
    Certification of products and/or services being manufactured or 
produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of 
the United States, the product/service is marketed under the name of a 
U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the 
value of the finished good or service.
    The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
     Relevance of the company's business to the mission goals;
     Market potential for business in the Malaysia, Thailand, 
Philippines, and ADB markets;
     Provision of adequate information on the company's 
products and/or services, and communication of the company's primary 
objectives;
     Timeliness of the company's completed application and 
participation agreement signed by a company officer;

Diversity of company size and location may also be considered during 
the review process.
    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.

Timeline 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) and 
other Internet web sites, press releases to general and trade media, 
direct mail, notices by 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 August 23, 2013. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and make selection 
decisions on a rolling basis beginning March 12, 2013. Applications 
received after August 23, 2013 will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

CS Thailand

    Michael McGee, Senior Commercial Officer, 662.205.5280, 
[email protected].

CS Washington DC

    David McCormack, International Trade Specialist, 202.482.2833, 
[email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2013-05963 Filed 3-14-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P