[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 50 (Friday, March 14, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14478-14480]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05606]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Ports and Marine Technology Trade Mission to India; November 10-
14, 2014

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, Global Markets, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, is 
organizing an Executive-led ports and marine technology trade mission 
to India (Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kochi) November 9-15, 2014. The 
purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms and U.S. trade 
associations to India's rapidly expanding ports and marine technology 
market and to assist U.S. companies to pursue export opportunities in 
this sector. The mission to India is intended to include 
representatives from leading U.S. companies and U.S. trade associations 
with members that provide state-of-the-art ports and marine 
technologies, including equipment and services for security, logistics, 
vessel tracking, oil spill detection and contingency preparedness, 
dredging, underwater exploration and mapping, among other goods and 
services. The mission will visit three cities, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and 
Kochi (Cochin), where the delegates will receive market briefings and 
participate in customized meetings with key port officials and 
prospective partners. As an optional add-on stop, interested 
participants can also visit the National Institute of Oceanography logy 
(NIO) in the State of Goa.
    The mission will help participants gain market insights, make 
industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific 
projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports to India. Activities 
will include one-on-one matchmaking appointments with pre-screened 
potential business partners, interacting with government 
representatives in the industry, and networking events. Participating 
in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to India 
on their own, will enhance the participants' ability to secure meetings 
in India with key decision makers.

Commercial Setting

    Even though growth has slowed somewhat in the last year, India is 
still one of the world's fastest growing large economies, presenting 
lucrative opportunities for U.S. companies that offer products and 
services in the ports and marine technology sectors. For small- or 
medium-sized companies, having a strong distributor or representative 
in India is the key to taking advantage of opportunities presented by 
these large public and private projects.
    There are 13 major ports (under national government control) and 
187 minor ports (under local state/private control) across India's 
extensive 4,671 miles of coastline. The Shipping Ministry expects 
traffic at major ports to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate 
(CAGR) of 8 percent, from 561 million tons in 2010 to 1.2 billion tons 
by 2020, and traffic at minor ports is expected to grow at a CAGR of 16 
percent--from 289 million tons to 1.2 billion tons during that 
timeframe. To meet this growth, India's ports plan to develop new 
terminals, upgrade existing berths, and modernize operations by 
including state of the art cargo handling equipment, tracking systems, 
security systems, oil spill detection equipment, oil spill clean-up 
equipment, and dredging equipment. The state governments will issue 
national and global tenders for the development and procurement of 
equipment for the ports that fall under the respective state 
governments' jurisdiction. In general, Indian port expansions and 
greenfield projects are being developed by private companies under 
concession by the Government of India or on private properties. For 
government-operated ports, government budget is being committed to some 
of these upgrades. For many government-owned ports, the Indian 
government is utilizing the Public Private Partnerships (PPP) model, in 
which the government awards concession contracts to private companies 
or consortia, which to date have included Indian companies and some 
major international companies that provide part or all of the funding 
for the projects and operate the projects for a period of time.
    To explore these significant port and marine opportunities the 
trade mission will visit the following cities.

Kochi (Cochin), Kerala

    Kerala is a state located in the southwest coast of India with a 
366 mile coastline. The Port of Kochi is a major port governed by the 
Major Port Trusts Act of 1963 and run by the Ministry of Shipping. 
There are also 17 intermediate and minor ports in Kerala run by the 
Government of Kerala. The Government of Kerala is promoting private 
sector investment in the maritime sector and has developed a policy 
framework to attract PPPs. The key initiatives outlined in the Kerala 
State Government's 2012-2013 policy frame work include development of 
new port facilities, support infrastructure, upgrade of existing 
facilities and installation of modern and efficient handling equipment. 
These Government initiatives will open new business avenues for private 
players and will produce sales opportunities for U.S. products and 
services. The International Container Transshipment Terminal (ICTT) at 
Vallarpadam, Kochi, is one such initiative by the Government. The 
terminal is being developed as a build-operate-transfer (BOT) 
concession for 30 years by India Gateway Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (IGT), with 
equity holdings by DP World (81.63%), Container Corporation of India 
(CONCOR) (14.56%), Chakiat (2.75%), and Transworld Group (1.07%). Some 
of the additional opportunities in State of Kerala with estimated 
project values include:

 Construction of 200x20 m vessel berthing facility at Beypore 
for a leasing period of 30 years, $26.3 million
 Ponnani Port development, $335 million
 Alappuzha Port development into a passenger terminal, inland 
marine and water-park through a PPP, $9.1 million
 Kollam Port development into an all-weather port, $27.7 
million
 Vizhinjam Port development into a major international port and 
transshipment terminal, $732 million
 Hydrofoil or jetfoil service connecting Kochi to Agatti, 
Colombo and Male, $3.7 million
 Thalassery marina development, $0.87 million

Mumbai, Maharashtra

    Mumbai has two major ports: The Mumbai Port Trust (MPT) and 
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), both of which are administered by 
the Ministry of Shipping. While MPT is a traditional dock system port, 
JNPT is a more modern container port. The majority of goods entering 
India by boat pass through JNPT. A number of state

[[Page 14479]]

and private ports also exist in the State of Maharastra with others 
being developed.
    Some of the port-related opportunities in Maharashtra, with 
projected project values when available, include:

 4th container terminal at JNPT, $750 million
 Offshore container terminal for Mumbai Port, $350 million
 Multi-purpose cargo terminal at Mumbai Port under review for 
PPP
 Seven port locations for greenfield port development
 Eight inland water transport projects worth $4 million
 Marina project in Mumbai

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

    The Government of the State of Gujarat plans to develop 10 
greenfield ports, six of them as fully private ports and four as joint 
public-private ports. There are a variety of opportunities for U.S. 
port and marine technology providers in Gujarat, including:

 Vessel traffic management systems in the Gulf of Khambhatt, a 
PPP
 Tracking & warning system on more than 12,000 fishing boats, 
estimated $24 million project value
 Integrated port management system in many ports
 Security infrastructure for compliance with International Ship 
and Port Facility Security
 Shipbuilding, including ultra-modern defense and navy 
technology
 New maritime cluster and two port cities (Mundra and Pipavav)
 Development of coastline: Beach resorts, cruise lines, marinas

Optional Visit to Goa

    For an additional fee, participants in the mission can visit the 
National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) in Goa, a one-hour flight 
south of Mumbai. At NIO, participants will hear from the leading Indian 
government oceanographic research and exploration organization on 
priority government efforts for oceans exploration, coastline 
protection, and oil spill recovery. Participants will have a chance to 
present their products and services to key decision makers who 
regularly purchase international technologies, including U.S. 
technologies.

Mission Goals

    The goals of the Ports and Marine Technology Mission to India are:
    1. To help participants gain market exposure and introduce 
participants to the vibrant Indian market in the three cities of Kochi, 
Mumbai, and Ahmedabad, with an optional stop in Goa;
    2. To provide an opportunity for participants to assess current and 
future business prospects by establishing valuable contacts with 
prospective business partners and clients; and
    3. To provide an opportunity for participants to develop market 
knowledge and relationships leading to potential partnerships.

Mission Scenario

    The mission will visit three cities in India: Kochi, Mumbai, and 
Ahmedabad, allowing participants to access the largest markets and 
business port centers in the country. An optional fourth stop will be 
to the State of Goa to meet with the National Institute of 
Oceanography. In each city, participants will meet with business 
contacts, government officials, benefit from briefings and networking 
opportunities, and visit port and marine facilities.

                                           Proposed Mission Timetable
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            Day of week                            Date                                Activity
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Sunday, Kochi......................  Nov. 9th.......................   Arrive in Kochi, Kerala.
                                                                       Overnight stay in Kochi.
Monday, Kochi......................  Nov. 10th......................   Breakfast briefing by U.S.
                                                                       Consulate, Chennai.
                                                                       One-on-one business meetings.
                                                                       Networking lunch hosted by
                                                                       Chamber/ABC with Kerala.
                                                                       Maritime Board Development
                                                                       Corporation.
                                                                       One-on-one business meetings
                                                                       continue.
                                                                       Business dinner hosted by
                                                                       American Business Corner (ABC) partner in
                                                                       Kochi.
                                                                       Overnight stay in Kochi.
Tuesday, Kochi/Mumbai..............  Nov. 11th......................   Technical Site Visit (half day in
                                                                       Kochi).
                                                                       Travel to Mumbai.
                                                                       Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Wednesday, Mumbai..................  Nov. 12th......................   Welcome--Breakfast briefing by
                                                                       Consular staff.
                                                                       One-on-one business meetings.
                                                                       Networking lunch hosted by
                                                                       chamber with local industry
                                                                       representatives.
                                                                       One-on-one meetings continue.
                                                                       Networking reception with
                                                                       industry contacts.
                                                                       Overnight stay in Mumbai.
Thursday, Mumbai/Ahmedabad.........  Nov. 13th......................   Technical Site Visit (half day in
                                                                       Mumbai).
                                                                       Following the site visit,
                                                                       delegates depart Mumbai for Ahmedabad.
                                                                       Overnight stay in Ahmedabad.
Friday, Ahmedabad..................  Nov. 14th......................   Briefing by Consular staff.
                                                                       One-on-one business meetings.
                                                                       Networking lunch hosted by
                                                                       Chamber with Gujarat Maritime Board.
                                                                       One-on-one business meetings
                                                                       continue.
                                                                       Trade Mission Concludes.
Saturday, Ahmedabad/US.............  Nov. 15th......................   Delegation members return to
                                                                       United States on own itinerary; unless
                                                                       going to Goa.
Saturday/Sunday....................  Nov.15th/16th..................   Optional Add-on: Travel to Goa
                                                                       for meeting with National Institute of
                                                                       Oceanography.
Monday, Goa........................  Nov. 17th......................   Optional visit to National
                                                                       Institute of Oceanography Briefings and
                                                                       Technical Presentations.
Tuesday, Goa/US....................  Nov. 18th......................   Return to United States on own
                                                                       itinerary.
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* Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend on the availability of local government and
  business officials, specific goals of mission participants, and ground transportation.


[[Page 14480]]

Participation Requirements

    All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. 
The mission is designed for a minimum of 15 companies and/or trade 
associations and a maximum of 20 companies and/or trade associations to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies 
already doing business in the target markets as well as U.S. companies 
seeking to enter these markets for the first time are encouraged to 
apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company or trade association has been selected to 
participate on the mission, a participation fee to the U.S. Department 
of Commerce is required.
     The participation fee for one representative is $3,100 for 
a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) \1\ or trade association and 
$3,300 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/contractingopportunities/owners/basics/whatismallbusiness/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.
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     The fee for each additional firm representative (SME or 
large) is $750.
     Fee for the optional 4th stop to the National Institute of 
Oceanography in Goa will be $300 per participants for the first 
representative and $100 for any additional representative, provided 
there are a minimum of 5 participants travelling to Goa.
    Expenses for travel, lodging, some 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 or represented companies' 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 fifty-one percent U.S. content of the value of the finished 
product or service. In the case of a trade association, the applicant 
must certify that, for each company to be represented by the trade 
association, 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 products or services to the 
mission goals.
     Applicant's potential for business in India, 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 publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce 
Department trade mission calendar--http://wxport.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 the mission will begin 
immediately, and conclude on August 15, 2014. The U.S. Department of 
Commerce will review applications and make selection decisions on a 
rolling basis beginning May 14, 2014, until the maximum of 20 
participants is selected. Applications received after August 15, 2014, 
will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts:

Hector Rodriguez, International Trade Specialist, Trade Missions, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: 202-482-0629, Fax: 
202-482-9000, [email protected].
Julia Rauner Guerrero, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. 
Commercial Service--San Diego, U.S. Department of Commerce, 9449 Balboa 
Ave. 111, San Diego, CA 92123, Tel: 858-467-7038, Fax: 858-
467-7043, [email protected].
Martin Claessens, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. 
Consulate General, C-49, G-Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), 
Mumbai-400 051. India, Tel: +91-22-26724000, Email: 
[email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2014-05606 Filed 3-13-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P