[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 146 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 44157-44160]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-17972]


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 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Architecture Services Trade Mission to Qatar

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), with support from the American Institute of 
Architects (http://www.aia.org), is organizing an executive-led 
Architecture Services Trade Mission to Qatar, with an optional mission 
stop in Saudi Arabia, from November 16-19, 2014. The purpose of the 
mission is to introduce U.S. firms to Saudi Arabia and Qatar's rapidly 
expanding infrastructure projects, and to assist U.S. companies in 
pursuing export opportunities in this sector. The mission is designed 
for U.S. architectural, project management, and design services 
companies. The mission also will help U.S. companies already doing 
business in Saudi Arabia and Qatar to increase their footprint and 
deepen their business interests. Target sectors holding high potential 
for U.S exporters include: Master planning (regional design--city 
planning or regional planning, port re-development--design of the 
walkways, buildings, etc. along the port); hospitals and health care 
architecture; hospitality; airports/other transportation infrastructure 
facility architecture; architectural services for mixed-use projects; 
sports and entertainment; and educational facilities. The optional stop 
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will take place November 16-17, prior to the 
Doha, Qatar stop. U.S. companies that would like to add the optional 
stop should indicate this on their application.
    The mission will help participating firms and associations/
organizations gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify 
business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of 
increasing U.S. architectural services exports. The mission will 
include market briefings, one-on-one business appointments with pre-
screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, industry leaders, and 
joint venture partners; meetings with state and local government 
officials (in Qatar only); and networking events. Participating in an 
official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling on their own, 
will enhance the companies' ability to identify opportunities in Qatar 
and Saudi Arabia.
    The mission will be supported by the American Institute of 
Architects (AIA) (https://www.aia.org). All U.S. architecture/
construction/engineering (ACE) trade associations or organizations are 
encouraged to apply. The mission is open to all U.S. firms, service 
providers, and organizations in the ACE sector, whether or not they are 
members of AIA or any other ACE trade association/organization. 
Selection criteria for participation, as set out below, apply equally 
for all applicants.

Commercial Setting

Qatar

    The U.S.-Qatar trade relationship is going through a massive 
transformation. The U.S. posted a trade surplus of nearly $3.7 billion 
in 2013, with record U.S. exports to Qatar of $5 billion. U.S. exports 
to Qatar in 2013 established a new record, growing by 38.6% over 2012, 
when U.S. exports totaled $3.58 billion, the previous record high. U.S. 
exports to Qatar continued to be strong in early 2014. Despite Qatar's 
small population (Qatar is a country of only two million people and 
only 250,000 Qataris), they rank as the fifth largest market in the 
Middle East and North Africa region, only behind the much larger 
markets of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Egypt. Over the past 3 
years exports have grown by 57%.
    With Qatar's 2030 Vision to transform itself from a carbon-based 
economy combined with the award of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Qatar is 
spending over $250 billion on physical infrastructure and other 
developments over the next five years. Projects include the new Hamad 
International Airport (Phase I just completed, Phase II being planned), 
the New Doha Port Project (the world's largest greenfield port 
project), road conversion (conversion of UK-style roundabouts to U.S. 
road layouts), new rail lines (three subway lines and three light-rail 
tram systems), new stadiums (between 9-12 to be built), as well as 
hospitals, schools, commercial and hospitality venues.
    Potential meetings may include: Hamad International Airport (Phase 
II), QRail; the Public Works Authority (Ashghal); Qatar Supreme 
Committee for Delivery and Legacy (2022 FIFA World Cup); Katara 
Hospitality; and the

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Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development.

Saudi Arabia

    Saudi Arabia is the 10th largest trading partner of the United 
States with bilateral trade of $71 billion in 2013 and also the 19th 
largest destination for U.S. exports. In 2013, U.S. exports to Saudi 
Arabia exceeded the $19 billion mark, an increase of 6% from 2012. The 
Saudi economy--the largest in the Middle East and North Africa region--
has been growing at a robust pace. The private sector has been, and is 
expected to continue to be, the key driver behind stronger non-oil 
sector growth, with an annual growth rate close to seven percent since 
2000. Oil and gas reserves have also generated significant financial 
liquidity from 2006 to 2013. As a result, there are currently about 
$960 billion worth of projects planned or under way in Saudi Arabia. Of 
these, more than $700 billion are megaprojects, or large master planned 
developments of more than $1 billion, making Saudi Arabia the biggest 
opportunity in the region for businesses involved in the infrastructure 
and construction sectors. The revenues from hydrocarbon resources are 
expected to be sufficient to support planned development spending and 
private sector growth. The FY2014 budget projects government spending 
at $219 billion.
    Saudi Arabia's architecture, construction and engineering sector 
remains one of the most important industries in the Kingdom's economy. 
Prior to 2000, Saudi Arabia utilized traditional architectural design 
in commercial and residential buildings. However, the country's desire 
to develop a modern appearance has led to architectural and 
architectural engineering services demands expanding on average nine 
percent per annum, which accounted for an estimated $2 billion in 2013. 
This is particularly evident as Saudi Arabia seeks to move towards 
stricter building codes, leading towards more energy efficient, green 
(LEED) and sustainable residential, industrial and commercial 
infrastructure. U.S. architecture, architectural engineering, and 
interior design firms will find a comparative advantage in commercial 
design and in residential development. Saudi Arabia is already looking 
for U.S. capabilities in assisting in the design and development of 
500,000 residential units and multi-use compounds associated with the 
significant demand for housing. With respect to the approximately 300 
five star hotels to be built in the next five to ten years, U.S. 
companies are also favored for their interior design services. With the 
push for greater water efficiency and reduction in lost water, many 
project developers will also need assistance in landscape architecture. 
With increased spending in education and the building of new centers of 
learning, U.S. companies will again be poised to benefit. U.S. 
architecture firms have been the designers of choice on many projects 
in Saudi Arabia and the future continues to offer significant 
potential. It is important to note that the Saudi market lends itself 
to mid-sized and larger U.S. architecture/engineering firms.

Mission Goals

    The goals of the Architecture Services Trade Mission are to provide 
U.S. participants with first-hand market information, and one-on-one 
meetings with business contacts, including potential partners, so that 
they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in the 
market. As such, the mission will focus on helping U.S. companies 
obtain market information and establish business and government 
contacts (please note that for the optional stop in Saudi Arabia, no 
meetings with Saudi government ministries or officials will be 
arranged).
    The mission will also facilitate first-hand market exposure and 
access to government decision makers and key private-sector industry 
contacts, especially potential partners. It will provide opportunities 
for participants to have policy and regulatory framework discussions in 
order to advance U.S. architectural sector interests in Qatar. It will 
provide participants with an opportunity to meet with Qatari 
architecture trade associations, to foster long-term partnerships, and 
to share best practices, especially with trade association/organization 
participants. Mission participants will visit key Qatar development 
sites to gain direct exposure to the rapid infrastructure and planning 
changes underway.
    In Saudi Arabia, the mission will focus on identifying potential 
partners and opportunities for U.S. companies to gain a share of the 
large market in infrastructure products and services. Primary focus 
will be on matchmaking meetings with potential private sector partners 
in Saudi Arabia and site visits to some of the key infrastructure 
projects underway in Riyadh.

Mission Scenario

    The optional stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia will include briefings by 
Commercial Service (CS) officers in Saudi Arabia on current political 
and economic developments as well as upcoming trends. This will be 
followed by one-on-one meetings between U.S. and Saudi companies. The 
next day will include site visits in Riyadh. The mission will begin in 
Doha with a welcome dinner (or related event) on Monday, November 17. 
On November 18, participants will attend a briefing organized by CS 
Doha. Then, participants will hear from guest speakers for an overview 
of doing business in Qatar, upcoming projects, and other topics of 
interest. Additional planned events include site tours and matchmaking 
events with ACE potential partners, including briefings on and site 
visits to current and planned projects in areas such as infrastructure, 
sports, hospitality, healthcare, and education.
    On November 19, mission participants will have the opportunity for 
additional site visits. In addition to being the largest port in the 
region, Doha hosts an expanding industrial cluster.
    The participants will attend policy, market and commercial 
briefings by CS and industry experts as well as networking events 
offering further opportunities to speak with potential distributors, 
agents, partners and end users. U.S. participants will be counseled 
before and after the mission by CS staff.

Proposed Timetable

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Optional Pre-Mission Stop in Saudi Arabia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday-November 15..............   Arrive in Riyadh.
Sunday-November 16................   Market briefings from CS
                                     and industry experts.
                                     Networking Lunch.
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     meetings.
Monday-November 17................   Site Visits.
                                     Travel to Doha.
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                             Mission--Qatar
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday-November 17................   Arrive in Doha.
                                     Welcome Briefing and/or
                                     Related Networking Event.
Tuesday-November 18...............   Market briefings from CS
                                     and industry experts.
                                     Networking lunch with local
                                     industry representatives.
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     meetings.
                                     Site Visits.
Wednesday-November 19.............   Meetings with local
                                     industry and government officials.
                                     Networking lunch with local
                                     industry representatives.
                                     Business-to-Business
                                     meetings.
                                     Possible Press Event.
                                     Site Visit.
                                     Mission Officially ends.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission 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 and maximum of 20 firms, 
service providers and/or trade associations/organizations will be 
selected from the applicant pool to participate in the Qatar stop. The 
Riyadh optional stop is limited to 7-10 firms, service providers and/or 
trade associations/organizations.

Fees and Expenses

    After an applicant has been selected to participate in the mission, 
a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation 
fee is required. Upon notification of acceptance to participate, those 
selected have 5 business days to submit payment or the acceptance may 
be revoked.
    The participation fee for the trade mission to Qatar alone is $2900 
for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) \1\ and $3,000 for large 
firms and trade associations/organizations. The fee for each additional 
representative (large firm or SME or trade association/organization) is 
$750.
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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/contractingopportunities/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 additional participation fee for the Saudi Arabia optional stop 
is $2000 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) \2\ and an 
additional $2600 for large firms and trade associations/organizations. 
The fee for each additional representative (large firm or SME or trade 
association/organization) to add on the Saudi Arabia optional stop is 
$350.
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    \2\ 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/contractingopportunities/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 for 
transportation to and from meetings, and airport transfers between 
Riyadh and Doha during the mission), and air transportation. 
Participants will, however, be able to take advantage of U.S. 
Government rates for hotel rooms. Visas will be required for both Saudi 
Arabia and Qatar. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain 
such visas are also not included in the mission costs. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce, however, will provide instructions to each 
participant on the procedures required to obtain necessary business 
visas.

Conditions for Participation

    Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals 
for participation by August 30, 2014. If the Department of Commerce 
receives an incomplete application, the Department may either: Reject 
the application, request additional information/clarification, 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, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have 
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a 
trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for 
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/
organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or 
service provider 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.
    We recommend calculating the U.S. content of an ACE service using 
the following formula:

U.S. content for services = (contract value of the service whether 
delivered in the U.S. or overseas) minus (aggregate value contributed 
by non-U.S. or foreign sources (i.e., costs or payments to foreign 
suppliers/providers/employees not resident in the United States)).

    In addition, each applicant must:
     Certify that the products and services that it wishes to 
market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export 
controls and regulations;
     Certify that it has identified any matter pending before 
any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
     Certify that it has identified any pending litigation 
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that 
involves the Department of Commerce; and
     Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates 
(1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in 
connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission, 
and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of 
foreign officials.
    In the case of a trade association/organization, the applicant must 
certify that each firm or service provider to be represented by the 
association/organization can make the above certifications.

Selection Criteria for Participation

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers 
and trade associations/organizations providing or

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promoting ACE services that have an interest in entering or expanding 
their business in the Qatar market (applicants that would like to add 
the optional Saudi Arabia stop must meet these criteria for the Saudi 
Arabia market as well). The following criteria will be evaluated in 
selecting participants:
     Suitability of a firm's or service provider's (or in the 
case of a trade association/organization, represented firm or service 
provider's) products or services to these markets.
     Firm's or service provider's (or in the case of a trade 
association/organization, represented firm or service provider's) 
potential for business in the markets, including likelihood of exports 
resulting from the mission.
     Consistency of the firm's or service provider's (or in the 
case of a trade association/organization, represented firm or service 
provider's) goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
    Additional factors, such as diversity of company size, type, 
location, and demographics, may also be considered during the review 
process.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents, including 
the application, 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 Application

    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://www.export.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 this mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than August 30, 2014. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and make selection decisions as quickly as possible. 
Applications received after August 30, 2014 will be considered only if 
space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Trade Missions Office, Arica Young, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC, Tel: 613-317-7538, Email: [email protected].
Industry and Analysis, Eugene Alford, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230, Tel: 202-482-5071, Email: 
[email protected].

Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2014-17972 Filed 7-29-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P