[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 18 (Tuesday, January 28, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4447-4450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01519]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region in Conjunction With the 
Trade Americas--Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference, June 
8-12, 2014

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, is organizing a trade mission to the Caribbean region, 
in conjunction with the Department of Commerce's Trade Americas--
Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference in Santo Domingo, 
Dominican Republic. Trade mission participants will arrive in Santo 
Domingo on June 8, and will attend the Trade Americas--Opportunities in 
the Caribbean Region Conference on June 9. Following the morning 
session of the conference, trade mission participants will participate 
in one-on-one consultations with U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service 
(US&FCS) Commercial Officers and/or Economic/Commercial Officers from 
the following U.S. Embassies in the Caribbean region: the Bahamas, 
Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, 
and Trinidad and Tobago. The following day, June 10, trade mission 
participants will engage in business-to-business appointments with 
Dominican companies. A limited number of trade mission participants 
will then travel to either the Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica, or 
Trinidad and Tobago (choosing only one market) for optional additional 
business-to-business appointments, each of which will be with a pre-
screened potential buyer, agent, distributor or joint-venture partner.
    The Department of Commerce's Trade Americas--Opportunities in the 
Caribbean Region Conference will focus on regional and industry-
specific sessions, market entry strategies, logistics and trade 
financing resources as well as pre-arranged one-one-one consultations 
with US&FCS Commercial Officers and/or Department of State Economic/
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 the Caribbean region, but is 
focused on U.S. companies in best prospects sectors

[[Page 4448]]

such as Construction Equipment/Road Building Machinery, Medical 
Equipment and Devices/Pharmaceuticals, ICT, Energy Equipment and 
Services, and Safety and Security Equipment.
    The combination of participation in the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference and business-to-
business matchmaking appointments in the Dominican Republic and one of 
the other optional Caribbean countries, will provide participants with 
access to substantive information about and strategies for entering or 
expanding their business across the Caribbean region.

Commercial Setting

Bahamas

    The Bahamian economy is driven by tourism and financial services. 
The Bahamas imports nearly all of its food and manufactured goods from 
the United States, and U.S. goods and services tend to be favored by 
Bahamians due to cultural similarities and exposure to U.S. 
advertising. Due to its dependence on tourism imports from the United 
States and trade with the United States, the Bahamian economy is 
notably affected by U.S. economic performance. There are no significant 
barriers to trade in the Bahamas. The Bahamas is currently reviewing 
proposals for alternative energy source projects. Best prospects 
sectors for U.S. exports include: Hotel Equipment; Franchise; 
Construction Equipment and Supplies; Consumer Products; and Drugs and 
Pharmaceutical Products.

Barbados

    Barbados enjoys one of the highest per capita incomes in the region 
and an investment climate which benefits from its political stability 
and stable institutions. Financial and information services are 
important foreign exchange earners and thrive from having the same time 
zone as eastern U.S. financial centers and a highly educated workforce. 
A renewable energy bill that will open up the possibility of private 
energy production and selling back to the grid is expected to be passed 
this year. The tourism sector is expected to be upgraded through 
several ongoing construction projects. Best Prospects are Construction 
and Building Products; Consumer Goods; Agricultural Products and 
Equipment; Renewable Energy Technologies and Equipment; and Hotel and 
Restaurant Equipment.

Dominican Republic

    With a population of 10 million consumers and a GDP of $59 billion, 
the Dominican Republic (DR) is the ninth largest economy in Latin 
America and the second largest in the Caribbean region. The United 
States represents, by far, the DR's largest trading partner. 43.6% of 
imports into the DR are of U.S. origin. There is extremely high 
receptivity to U.S. goods and services and U.S. product standards are 
generally accepted. Since the entry into force of the Dominican 
Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 
in March 2007, bilateral trade has grown at a robust pace. By 2012, 
U.S. exports to the DR had grown by 33% over the pre-CAFTA days of 
2006.
    The strength of the trade relationship stems from close geographic 
proximity and the historic cultural and personal ties that many 
Dominicans have with the United States. Best prospect sectors for U.S. 
exports include: Automotive Parts, Hotel and Restaurant Equipment, 
Travel and Tourism, Safety and Security Equipment; Renewable Energy 
Technologies and Equipment; Telecommunications Services and Equipment; 
Printing and Graphic Arts Products and Equipment; Computers and 
Peripherals; Medical Equipment; and Construction and Building Products.

Haiti

    The United States is Haiti's chief trading partner, with a 40% 
share of Haiti's import market. Haiti's economy is unique in the 
Caribbean region, with a large population of 10 million people but a 
relatively small $7.9 billion GDP. Haiti's geographic proximity and 
historically strong links with the United States contribute to a strong 
market for U.S. exports. Haiti imports more than 70% of market goods, 
and American businesses continue to do well in finding local buyers and 
distributors. Haiti has the lowest import tariffs in the Caribbean 
region. Best prospects sectors for U.S. exports include: Apparel and 
Textile; Machinery and Transport; Automotive Sector and Parts; 
Telecommunications Services and Equipment; Electrical Power Systems; 
Tourism; and Construction and Building Products/Equipment.

Jamaica

    The United States is Jamaica's largest trading partner, accounting 
for almost 40% of Jamaica's total trade. A small economy of 2.8 million 
people and $15 billion GDP, Jamaica's geographic proximity and 
historically strong links with the United States have encouraged a wide 
range of U.S. investors and exporters to enter the Jamaican market. 
Best prospects sectors for U.S. exports include: Agriculture; 
Pharmaceuticals/Chemicals; Machinery/Transportation Equipment; Consumer 
Products and Tourism; ICT; Automobiles; Energy Production; and 
Telecommunications Services and Equipment.

Trinidad and Tobago

    The United States is Trinidad and Tobago's largest trading partner, 
accounting for 33% of Trinidad and Tobago's total imports and 
purchasing 44% of its exports. A small country of 1.2 million people 
and a per capita GDP of $20,000, one of the highest in the region, 
Trinidad and Tobago's economy is dominated by the energy sector. 
Trinidad and Tobago's geographic proximity and strong links with the 
United States have encouraged a wide range of U.S. investors and 
exporters to enter Trinidad and Tobago's market. Best prospects sectors 
for U.S. exports include: Oil and Gas Field Machinery and Services; 
Food Processing and Packaging; Automotive Parts and Services; 
Telecommunications; Computers and Peripherals; Construction; Tourism; 
and Maritime Industries.
    The foregoing analysis of export opportunities in the Caribbean 
Region is not intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative of the many 
opportunities available to U.S. businesses. Applications from U.S. 
companies will be considered and evaluated by the U.S. Department of 
Commerce on their market potential in the Caribbean region.

Mission Goals

    The goal of the mission is to help participating U.S. companies 
find potential partners, agents, distributors, and joint venture 
partners in the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, 
and Trinidad and Tobago, laying the foundation for successful long-term 
ventures to take advantage of market opportunities in the Caribbean 
region. During the mission, the delegation will have access to US&FCS 
Commercial Officers, Commercial Specialists, and Department of State 
Economic/Commercial Officers from the markets in the region. They will 
learn about the many business opportunities in the Caribbean region, 
and gain first-hand market exposure. Trade mission participants already 
doing business in the Caribbean will have the opportunity to further 
advance business relationships and explore new opportunities.

[[Page 4449]]

Mission Scenario

    The mission will include registration for the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference, including conference 
materials and admission to all sessions and networking events with 
industry and government representatives; industry and country market 
briefings; and logistical support. It also includes one-on-one 
appointments with pre-screened potential business partners in the 
Dominican Republic and one other Caribbean market.
    U.S. delegation members will arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican 
Republic on June 8, 2014. On the morning of June 9, trade mission 
participants will attend the Trade Americas--Opportunities in the 
Caribbean Region Conference, featuring regional and industry-specific 
sessions, market entry strategies, logistics and trade financing 
resources. On the afternoon of June 9, mission participants will engage 
in pre-arranged one-on-one consultations with US&FCS Commercial 
Officers and/or Department of State Economic/Commercial Officers with 
expertise in commercial markets throughout the region, as well as 
business service providers. On June 10, mission participants will stay 
in the Dominican Republic for business-to-business meetings. On June 
11, a limited number of mission participants will travel to the 
Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Jamaica or Trinidad and Tobago (choosing one) 
for additional business-to-business meetings to be held on June 12.

Mission Timetable

June 8, 2014 Travel Day/Arrival in Dominican Republic
June 9, 2014 Dominican Republic
    Morning: Registration and Trade Americas--Opportunities in the 
Caribbean Region Conference
    Afternoon: U.S. Embassy Officer Consultations
    Evening: Ambassador's Networking Reception
June 10, 2014 Dominican Republic
    Business-to-Business Meetings

Optional

June 11-12, 2014 Business-to-Business Meetings in (choice of one 
market):
    Option (A) Bahamas
    Option (B) Barbados
    Option (C) Haiti
    Option (D) Jamaica
    Option (E) Trinidad and Tobago
June 13, 2014 Travel Day

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region 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 applicants on a rolling basis. 
During the registration process, applicants will be able to select 
their markets of choice and will receive a brief market assessment for 
each selected market. All selected participants will attend business-
to-business meetings in the Dominican Republic. For those companies 
seeking to participate in additional business-to-business meetings in 
another market on June 12, we will select based on market suitability. 
The number of companies that may be selected for each country are as 
follows: 2-3 companies for the Bahamas; 2 companies for Barbados; 4-6 
companies for Haiti; 4-6 companies for Jamaica; and 3 companies for 
Trinidad and Tobago. U.S. companies already doing business in, or 
seeking to enter the market in the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominican 
Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, and Trinidad and Tobago 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 the Dominican Republic only 
(not traveling to an additional trade mission country), the 
participation fee will be $1,800 for a small or medium-sized enterprise 
(SME)* and $2,800 for large firms*.
    For business-to-business meetings in the Dominican Republic and one 
other market, i.e. the Bahamas OR Barbados OR Haiti OR Jamaica OR 
Trinidad and Tobago, the participation fee will be $2,500 for a small 
or medium-sized enterprise (SME) \1\* and $3,500 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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    The mission registration fee also includes the Trade Americas--
Opportunities in the Caribbean Region Conference registration fee of 
$400 for one participant from each firm, market assessment for the 
region, market briefings, networking reception, lunch during the 
conference and coffee breaks, interpreters and transportation 
associated with the conference, and U.S. Embassy officer consultations. 
There will be a $200 fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME) that wishes to participate in business-to-business 
meetings after the conference on Tuesday in the Dominican Republic and 
on Thursday in any of the markets selected.
    Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be 
the responsibility of each mission participant.

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% 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.

[[Page 4450]]

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/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 Friday, April 4, 2014. 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. After April 4, 2014, 
companies will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit.

U.S. Trade Americas Team Contact Information

    David Royce, U.S. Export Assistance Center--Fort Worth, TX, 
[email protected], Tel: 817-684-5354.
    Diego Gattesco, U.S. Export Assistance Center--Wheeling, WV, 
[email protected], Tel: 304-243-5493.

Caribbean Region Contact Information

    Isabella Cascarano, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial 
Service--Dominican Republic, [email protected].
    Maria Elena Portorreal, Regional Commercial Specialist, U.S. 
Commercial Service--Dominican Republic, [email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2014-01519 Filed 1-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P