[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10053-10058]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03898]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Trade Mission to South Africa, Kenya and Mozambique

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Replacement of Trade Mission Statement.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration is replacing a notice published June 14, 2014, at 79 FR 
36290, for the Trade Mission to South Africa and Mozambique, With an 
Optional Stop in Kenya; February 23-27, 2015.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Replacement of Trade Mission Statement.

Background

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration is replacing its Trade Mission to South Africa and

[[Page 10054]]

Mozambique, With an Optional Stop in Kenya; February 23-27, 2015 with a 
new trade mission as notified herein. Replacement.

Trade Mission to Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa

June 18-26, 2015

Mission Description

    The U. S. Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, is organizing a Trade Mission to Mozambique, Kenya and 
South Africa, June 18-26, 2015, which will be led by a senior executive 
of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The mission is designed to 
help U.S. firms find business partners and sell equipment and services. 
Target sectors holding high potential for U.S exporters include:
    Transportation Infrastructure and Equipment, such as: road, bridge 
and dam construction and reconstruction; automatic fare collection 
systems, new and refurbished railroad locomotives, new bulk car and 
other dedicated rolling freight fleets, smart signaling and rail 
operation automation, rolling stock depot design, strategic route 
design and network planning, port mobile, weighbridges and quayside 
systems and upgrading of existing port equipment and oil and gas 
development infrastructure.
    Energy Equipment and Services, such as: power generation (including 
renewable energy); transmission and distribution (including smart 
grid), energy efficiency, oil and gas exploration and production and 
project development.
    Agricultural Equipment, such as: crop production equipment and 
machinery, irrigation equipment and technology, crop storage and 
handling, precision farming technologies and fertilizers.
    Although focused on the sectors above, the mission also will 
consider participation from companies in other appropriate sectors as 
space permits.
    This trade mission will include one-on-one business appointments 
with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors and joint 
venture partners; meetings with national and regional government 
officials, chambers of commerce, and business groups; and networking 
receptions. The mission will help participating firms and trade 
associations gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify 
business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of 
increasing U.S. exports to Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa.

Commercial Setting

    Mozambique, with a population of 23 million, grew its economy from 
1994 to 2009 at an average rate of eight percent per year--one of the 
fastest rates of growth of any sub-Saharan African economy over this 
period. In 2013, GDP reached $15 billion. While the country was 
devastated after the civil war ended in 1992, it has since benefited 
from macroeconomic reforms and large foreign investment projects.
    Though infrastructure remains weak and the population is still 
largely rural, the government is committed to building a strong 
commercial environment. The United States has traditionally been a 
relatively minor trading partner, but U.S. investment in the energy 
sector, particularly off-shore natural gas, is expected to grow 
tremendously in the next several years. External competition, local 
labor quotas, periodic flooding, and an often-contentious political 
situation present some challenges to doing business in Mozambique.
    Kenya, with a population of 43 million, is the dominant economy in 
the East African Community. Given its position as the economic, 
commercial, and logistical hub of East Africa, more U.S. companies are 
investing in Kenya and setting up local and regional operations there. 
Kenya's first election under a new constitution with a devolved 
government structure was held in April 2013, and should position it for 
further growth. Investor confidence is high, as demonstrated by Kenya's 
record-breaking $2 billion debut sovereign bond offering in 2014.
    Kenya also boasts a large number of well-educated English-speaking 
and multi-lingual professionals, and a strong entrepreneurial 
tradition. Doing business in Kenya includes a number of challenges, 
such as crime, unemployment, limited infrastructure, and corruption.
    South Africa, a country of 52 million people, has the most 
advanced, broad-based industrial economy in Africa, enjoys relative 
macroeconomic stability and boasts sound financial, legal and 
accounting institutions; not to mention an English-speaking workforce. 
It remains the primary choice for U.S. companies wishing to develop the 
promising markets of sub-Saharan Africa, although it suffers from large 
disparities in income distribution and over 25 percent unemployment. In 
2014 South Africa's GDP grew by less than two percent to $357 billion. 
Doing business in South Africa includes a number of challenges 
including corruption and power shortages, as well as a series of 
protectionist policies that has precipitated a series of downgrades by 
the major credit agencies.

Best Prospects in Targeted Sectors

Transportation Infrastructure and Equipment

Mozambique
    Transport networks and infrastructure will be instrumental to 
developing Mozambique's growth potential in the near and long term. The 
recently concluded $500 million Millennium Challenge Corporation 
compact funded extensive rehabilitation of key roads, a dam, and a 
water supply project in two northern provinces. The Government of 
Mozambique is investing heavily in expanding rail and port capacity to 
manage the rising production of mineral resources. A rail line to the 
deepest natural port on the East Coast of Africa should significantly 
lower coal transport costs, and two foreign companies have recently 
been contracted to begin work on a new rail line ending at Macuze port. 
As total coal exports are projected to reach 40 million tons per year 
by 2015 and long term estimates are in the range of 100 million tons 
per year, infrastructure around this sector remains a priority. In 
addition, rapid investment in infrastructure to support planned 
liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects in northern Mozambique, one of its 
least developed regions, could bring vast opportunities to U.S. firms.
Kenya
    Kenya enjoys an extensive, but uneven, infrastructure that is still 
superior in many cases to that of its neighbors. Nairobi is the 
undisputed transportation hub of Eastern and Central Africa and the 
largest city between Cairo and Johannesburg. The Port of Mombasa is the 
most important deep-water port in the region, supplying the shipping 
needs of more than a dozen countries despite persistent deficiencies in 
equipment, inefficiency and corruption. As a result of these 
deficiencies, the Port of Mombasa has been earmarked for major 
expansion and re-habilitation.
    Kenya's ``Vision 2030'' infrastructure development plans call for 
significant improvements to the provision of water, renewable energy, 
ICT, housing, roads, bridges, railways, seaports and airports over the 
next 20 years. The construction industry in Kenya is driven primarily 
by two key infrastructure sectors: Transportation and housing, given 
the large housing deficit that exists in Kenya. Construction and 
infrastructure development will also present new opportunities, 
especially with the

[[Page 10055]]

passage of the new public-private partnership (PPP) law which will make 
government procurements more transparent and less risky.
South Africa
    South Africa's Transnet, the largest State Owned Enterprise (SOE) 
within the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) has announced and 
allocated funding for significant transportation infrastructure capital 
investments. In 2012, the government announced the allocation of 
funding for investments estimated at over $90 billion over 15 years. 
Though there have been complaints of slow implementation, leading some 
contractors to re-focus business elsewhere in the continent, in late 
2013 and early 2014 commitments were made to procure passenger rolling 
stock, locomotives, signaling and track upgrades. Also, the development 
of the significant Durban phase 2 port extension (in the old Durban 
International Airport precinct) has been initiated.
    The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) of the SA 
Department of Transport (SADOT) in March 2012 announced a 20-year rail 
improvement program estimated at more than $13.6 billion. Of this, $1.3 
billion will be invested in signaling, new depots, modern stations and 
integrated ticketing, while $1.1 billion is being spent on new 
locomotives.
    SOE Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) and others are expanding logistics 
projects such as upgrading the Sishen-Saldanha Bay ore line, the 
Richard Bay coal line and other new coal line networks in the 
northwest. Transnet's rail and port projects are reportedly set to cost 
around $30 billion over seven years and include augmenting the tractive 
and bulk car fleet, signaling, maintenance, advanced train management 
systems and network expansion/concession models. For the second large 
diesel locomotive program of 465 units, one U.S. and one Chinese 
manufacturer were selected as preferred bidders in February 2014.
    Transnet Port Terminals (TPT), the port operating SOE is set to 
invest $3.3 billion over the next seven years for the expansion and 
improvement of its bulk and container terminals. Significant capacity-
creating projects included the expansion of the Durban Container 
Terminal's (DCT's) Pier 1 that would increase its capacity from 700,000 
twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to 820,000 TEUs by 2013 and 1.2 
million TEUs by 2016/17. Other expansion projects include the Ngqura 
Container Terminal, Durban Ro-Ro and Maydon Wharf terminal, the iron-
ore bulk terminal at the Port of Saldanha and the ageing Richards Bay 
Terminal where $370 million is set aside for mobile and quayside 
equipment, as well as weighbridges.

Energy

Mozambique
    Mozambique is set to become one of the world's largest new 
suppliers of natural gas. The country's massive offshore discoveries 
have launched a scramble among exploration and production companies to 
develop these new-found resources. In early 2014, the Oil and Gas 
Journal raised Mozambique's proven reserves to 100 trillion cubic feet 
(Tcf), making it the third-largest proved natural gas holder in Africa. 
Although much of the Mozambique's offshore acreage still remains 
underexplored, one U.S. company already has announced recoverable finds 
totaling some 45-65 Tcf. The country's rich resources could support up 
to ten LNG trains in one province alone, and a floating LNG facility is 
under consideration. Developers focusing on Mozambique's LNG 
infrastructure expect to begin exporting as early as 2018. 
Additionally, although the United States exported only $25 million of 
oil and gas field equipment to Mozambique in 2013, this is up from $1 
million only five years prior and comprises about 19 percent of the 
country's relatively small total of $132 million for that year. More 
than 80 percent of U.S. exports to Mozambique are in pipe products, 
indicating the early stages of the industry.
    Mozambique is a net exporter of energy. But in order to support its 
growing economy the country requires significant investment to upgrade 
old infrastructure and conclude new generation projects. The majority 
of power produced in the country comes from the Cahora Bassa hydro-
power scheme in central Mozambique, where the government plans a multi-
million dollar ``North Bank'' expansion. It will add an additional 
1,250 MW with transmission lines to South Africa, the South African 
Power Pool, Maputo, and Northern Mozambique. Planning for a second 
multi-billion dollar, 1,500-plus MW hydropower dam 35 miles downstream 
at Mphanda Nkuwa is well underway, and the operators are expected to 
finalize financing this year, with commercial operations due to start 
as early as 2017. The government of Mozambique recently approved new 
renewable feed-in tariffs as part of an ongoing strategy to promote 
private investment in renewable energy sources.
Kenya
    In response to strong economic growth and increasing demand for 
electricity, Kenya is focused on developing its power generation and 
transmission and distribution infrastructure. Today, Kenya is faced 
with brownouts, blackouts, and power surges that damage equipment and 
necessitate emergency power, driving up the cost of electricity. The 
supply deficit and costly short-term solutions impede economic growth, 
and reduce the competitiveness of Kenya's private sector in the region. 
With only 25 percent of the population connected to the grid, the 
Kenyan government is currently implementing a plan to connect an 
additional 5,000MW to the grid to meet growing demand and help reduce 
electricity tariffs by 40 percent by 2017, with a goal of achieving 
universal access by 2030.
    In ITA's Renewable Energy Top Markets for U.S.-Exports 2014-2015, 
Kenya was ranked 13th most promising export market for U.S. renewable 
energy companies, and first in the geothermal sector, which makes up 
about 22 percent of Kenya's energy mix (about 583 MW). More than 40 
wells per year currently are being drilled, with a target of developing 
over 5,000 MW, approximately half of its capacity, in the next two 
decades. Kenya has extensive plans to increase other renewables as 
well. The country is gradually diversifying its energy mix and is keen 
to wean off expensive thermal diesel power, whose supply is impacted by 
recurring droughts; and thermal power, which is sensitive to global 
fuel prices.
    Kenya is also an increasingly promising player in the booming East 
Africa oil and gas market. The multiple onshore discoveries announced 
since 2012, largely in Turkana County, have led exploration and 
production companies to sound optimistic notes about the country's 
potential. The greatest enthusiasm surrounds offshore resources, where 
drillers hope to replicate Mozambique and Tanzania's vast natural gas 
discoveries. To date, Kenya's oil resources are estimated to be 600 
million barrels, with at least one firm projecting that Kenya's 
resource base could amount to as much as 10 billion barrels, though 
exploration is still in the early stages. While movement on key planned 
infrastructure projects, such as the $25 billion Lamu Port, South Sudan 
Ethiopia, Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor, has been slow, if all goes 
smoothly, a Uganda-Kenya pipeline could be completed by as early as 
2019.

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South Africa
    Electricity supply constraints are significant and are expected to 
remain a feature of South Africa's social and economic landscape for 
several years to come. ESKOM, the government owned power utility, with 
a virtual monopoly on generation, transmission and distribution 
(responsible for around 95 percent of local generation) is experiencing 
budgetary and infrastructure challenges. As a result of these 
challenges, the government has put a renewed focus on the increased 
generation of power, increased energy efficiency and decreased 
consumption. ESKOM's reserve of power has recently become so low that 
it has been forced to utilize its contractual rights with large 
industrial users to require them to reduce consumption at critical 
times, and it has implemented scheduled brownouts or ``load-shedding'' 
outages for all users. It has also been forced to use expensive diesel 
to power generators at peak load periods. Though there is current and 
planned infrastructure investment to ensure future supply, there have 
been significant delays in bringing these planned power generation 
facilities on line.
    ESKOM is currently investigating smart grid as an option to manage 
peak load demand. Renewable energy programs have also been introduced 
in order to facilitate clean renewable independent energy production. 
The government's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer 
Procurement program (REIPPP) has been relatively successful and marks 
the first time independent power producers have been allowed to sell 
power back to the grid. In ITA's Renewable Energy Top Markets for U.S.-
Exports 2014-2015, South Africa was ranked 12th; however, local content 
requirements, which have increased in recent months, may limit 
potential U.S. exports.
    Further capital expenditure is ongoing with the two large scale 
coal-fired plants under construction--Medupi Power Station (4,800 MW) 
and Kusile Power Station (4800 MW)--as well as a pumped storage project 
(1,332 MW) and a wind energy facility (1,00MW). With on-going power 
outages, the government of South Africa has also recently opened bids 
to independent power producers for the provision of 2,500 MW of base-
load (coal) power.
    South Africa boasts the world's eighth largest supply of 
technically recoverable shale gas resources, according to the U.S. 
Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. In 2012, the 
government lifted a moratorium on exploring the country's estimated 390 
trillion cubic feet (tcf) of unconventional deposits. While licenses 
have yet to be issued, President Zuma announced in June 2014 that the 
government would proceed with shale gas development plans, indicating 
the government's willingness to move forward with development in the 
sector.
    South Africa has announced plans to add 9,600 MW of nuclear power 
over the next twenty years and the government is in talks with multiple 
countries about resources to develop South Africa's civil nuclear 
energy program. The country currently has two nuclear reactors that 
generate 5 percent of its electricity.

Agricultural Equipment

Mozambique
    Mozambique has vast needs and vast opportunities in the agriculture 
sector. Boasting a landmass about the size of Texas and Louisiana 
combined, a coastline longer than the eastern seaboard of the United 
States, and a geographic location well-positioned to export to 
burgeoning Asian markets, agriculture is still small-scale and 
subsistence. Growth in agriculture has lagged in relation to GDP 
growth, largely due to the lack of mechanization and irrigation. 
Opportunities for U.S. companies vary from cold storage, irrigation and 
food processing equipment.
    Mozambique recognizes agriculture as the key to poverty reduction 
and employment and is focused on policy reforms to attract more private 
sector investment. The Government of Mozambique is committed to 
promoting the use of technology, irrigation, and improved methods to 
raise yields. This commitment has resulted in plans by U.S. and other 
foreign agribusiness companies to establish commercial farms.
Kenya
    Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya's economy. It accounts 
for about 24 percent of GDP directly and 75 percent of the labor force 
indirectly. Cash crop (tea, coffee, and horticulture), food crops 
(maize, wheat and rice), and livestock dominate the agricultural 
sector. Kenyan agriculture faces many challenges. It is predominately 
rainfall dependent and thus subject to wide production variances. It is 
undercapitalized, implying low technological absorption resulting in 
low productivity. Small-scale farmers contribute about 75 percent to 
the country's total value of agricultural output and account for nearly 
85 percent of total employment in the agricultural sector. These 
attributes, coupled with challenges arising from limited institutional 
capacity, poor infrastructure, and risks associated with liberalized 
markets, explain the relative stagnation of agricultural productivity 
and incomes.
    Kenya's horticulture industry is a major export success in Africa. 
It is almost entirely dominated by the private sector and provides many 
opportunities for increased importation of fertilizers, pesticides and 
equipment. Similar opportunities lie in the floriculture industry in 
Kenya, which is the leading exporter of fresh cut flowers to the flower 
auction in Holland. Other important commodities include maize, tea, 
coffee, sugarcane and wheat, which will require additional use of 
fertilizers as production grows. The government has embarked on a 
mechanization program to increase use of more modern means of farming 
to increase output. In addition, the government has set aside 1.2 
million acres of land for irrigation that for growing maize and wheat, 
and livestock farming. Agricultural equipment is tax exempt under the 
VAT Act 2013 to provide support to the sector.
    Kenya imports virtually all of its agricultural chemicals because 
local production is insignificant. Kenya's fertilizer use has almost 
doubled since the liberalization of the market in the 1990s and the 
removal of government price controls and import licensing quotas. The 
growth in use has been noted especially among the smallholder farmers 
in growth of both food crops (maize, domestic horticulture) and export 
crops (tea, coffee). Growth in the industry is largely due to huge 
private investment in both importation and retailing of fertilizers. 
Fertilizer is also tax exempted under the new VAT Act.
South Africa
    South Africa has by far the most modern, productive and diverse 
agricultural economy in Sub Saharan Africa. Agriculture in South Africa 
remains an important sector despite its relatively small contribution 
to the GDP. The sector plays an important role in terms of job 
creation, especially in rural areas, but is also a foremost earner of 
foreign exchange.
    South Africa has a market-oriented agricultural economy that is 
highly diversified, including production of all the major grains 
(except rice), oilseeds, deciduous and subtropical fruits, sugar, 
citrus, wine and most vegetables. Livestock production includes cattle, 
dairy, pigs, sheep, and a well-developed broiler and egg industry. 
Value-added

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sector activities include slaughtering, processing and preserving of 
meat; processing and preserving of fruit and vegetables; dairy 
products; grain mill products; crushing of oilseeds; prepared animal 
feeds; and sugar refining amongst other food products. South Africa 
also exports wine, corn, mohair, groundnuts, karakul pelts, sugar, and 
wool.
    South Africa offers U.S. exporters in the agricultural equipment 
and technology sector a wide range of opportunities. Five percent of 
all new agriculture equipment is being produced locally; 95 percent of 
all agriculture equipment and parts are being sourced from 
international markets, and at least 20 percent of new equipment and 
technologies are currently being sourced from the U.S.

Mission Goals

    The goal of this trade mission is to provide U.S. participants with 
first-hand market information, and one-on-one meetings with business 
contacts, including potential agents, distributors and partners so they 
can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in these 
markets.

Mission Scenario

    This mission will visit Maputo, Mozambique, Nairobi, Kenya and 
Johannesburg, South Africa allowing participants to access the largest 
markets and business centers in these countries.

                                           Proposed Mission Timetable
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              Day of Week                        Location                             Activity
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Wednesday, June 17....................  Maputo...................  Companies arrive Maputo.
                                                                   Welcome Breakfast.
Thursday, June 18.....................  Maputo...................  Briefing by U.S. Embassy.
                                                                   One-on-one business appointments.
                                                                   Evening business reception.
Friday, June 19.......................  Maputo...................  One-on-one business appointments continue.
Saturday, June 20.....................  Maputo/Nairobi...........  Site visit or travel to Nairobi.
Sunday, June 21.......................  Maputo/Nairobi...........  Remain in or travel to Nairobi.
                                                                   Welcome Breakfast.
Monday, June 22.......................  Nairobi..................  Briefing by U.S. Embassy.
                                                                   One-on-one business appointments.
                                                                   Evening business reception.
Tuesday, June 23......................  Nairobi..................  One-on-one business appointments continue.
Wednesday, June 24....................  Nairobi/Johannesburg.....  Travel to Johannesburg.
                                                                   Welcome Breakfast.
Thursday, June 25.....................  Johannesburg.............  Briefing by U.S. Embassy.
                                                                   One-on-one business appointments.
                                                                   Evening business reception.
Friday, June 26.......................  Johannesburg.............  One-on-one business appointments continue.
                                                                   Mission Ends.
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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 air travel schedules.

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 
and/or trade associations or organizations will be selected from the 
applicant pool to participate in the mission.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company or trade association/organization has been selected 
to participate on the mission, a payment to the U.S. Department of 
Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required. The 
participation fee for the mission is $4,600 for small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME),\1\ and $6,200 for large firms and trade 
associations/organizations. The fee for each additional representative 
(large firm, 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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Exclusions

    The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such 
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation and air 
transportation. Delegate members will however, be able to take 
advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. 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 for Participation

    Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on the company's or association/organization's products and/or 
services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation by 
April 17, 2015. 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 U.S., 
or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at 
least fifty-one percent U.S. content. In the case of a trade 
association or organization, the applicant must certify that for each 
company to be represented by the association/organization, the products 
and/or services the represented

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company seeks to export are either produced in the U.S. or, if not, 
marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one 
percent U.S. content.
    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 to the Department of Commerce for 
its evaluation any business pending before the Department that may 
present the appearance of a conflict of interest;
    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.

Selection Criteria for Participation

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. companies and trade 
associations/organizations providing or promoting products and services 
that have interest in entering or expanding their business in markets 
of Mozambique, Kenya and South Africa. The following criteria will be 
used in selecting participants:
    Suitability of a company's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented companies') products or services to these 
markets.
    Company's (or in the case of a trade association/organization, 
represented companies') potential for business in the markets, 
including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
    Consistency of the applicant company's (or in the case of a trade 
association/organization, represented companies') goals and objectives 
with the stated scope of the mission.
    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, 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 
April 17, 2015. We will inform applicants of selection decisions as 
soon as possible after April 17, 2015. Applications received after 
April 17, 2015 will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
U.S. Commercial Service, Johannesburg, South Africa, Brent Omdahl, 
Deputy Senior Commercial Officer, Phone: 27-11-290-3227, Email: 
[email protected].
Trade Missions Office, Washington, DC, Anne Novak, Phone: (202) 482-
8178, Email: [email protected].

Frank Spector,
International Trade Specialist.
[FR Doc. 2015-03898 Filed 2-24-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P