[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 23505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09802]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Establishment of Expedited Trade Mission Procedures

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, is establishing new procedures for Expedited Trade 
Missions. When the Secretary approves a Decision Memo justifying the 
use of expedited procedures, the Department of Commerce will endeavor 
to conduct recruitment and selection for the mission within 2-3 weeks. 
Applicants should be aware that mission statements for Expedited Trade 
Missions will NOT be notified in the Federal Register. Instead, they 
will be posted online at: http://www.export.gov/trademissions/eg_main_023185.asp.
    Applicants should also be aware that deadlines for applying for 
Expedited Trade Missions will be extremely short. The procedures for 
selecting participants for Expedited Trade Missions will be compressed. 
All interested parties that meet the conditions of participation are 
encouraged to apply, and all applicants will be evaluated on an equal 
basis with respect to the participation criteria.

DATES: Expedited Trade Mission procedures are established as of April 
28, 2015.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Commerce endeavors to plan 
trade missions as far in advance as is feasible. However, in certain 
circumstances it is in the Department's interest, and consistent with 
its priorities, to lead a trade mission on an expedited basis, 
contingent on the availability of Departmental resources.
    The Department is establishing new procedures for Expedited Trade 
Missions that will allow it, upon the approval of the Secretary, Deputy 
Secretary or Under Secretary of International Trade, to lead trade 
missions on an expedited basis. When the Secretary, Deputy Secretary or 
Under Secretary of International Trade approves a Decision Memo 
justifying the use of expedited procedures, the Department will 
endeavor to conduct recruitment and selection for the mission within 2-
3 weeks.
    The mission statements for Expedited Trade Missions will only be 
posted on the Web site above. The mission statement will include the 
conditions of participation and the participation criteria for the 
Expedited Trade Mission. Any party interested in participating is 
encouraged to apply if it meets the conditions of participation. All 
applicants will be evaluated on an equal basis with respect to the 
participation criteria.
    The deadline to apply for an Expedited Trade Mission may be 
extremely short, potentially as little as 5 business days from the date 
the mission statement is posted. Short deadlines are needed to allow 
for recruitment and selection to be completed within 2-3 weeks. In most 
cases, as specified in the mission statement, applications received 
after the indicated deadline will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.
    The selection process for Expedited Trade Missions will not differ 
substantively from other trade missions, but will be compressed. The 
Department will endeavor to complete selection within 5 business days 
after the application deadline. Applicants for Expedited Trade Missions 
will be informed promptly whether or not they have been selected.
    The timing for Expedited Trade Missions is expected to be extremely 
compressed. We encourage those selected for an Expedited Trade Mission 
to begin making arrangements to participate immediately. Business or 
entry visas may be required to participate on the mission. Applying for 
and obtaining such visas will be the responsibility of the mission 
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such 
visas are not included in the participation fee. However, the 
Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on 
the procedures required to obtain necessary business visas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Spector, Acting Director, Trade 
Missions Program, Phone: (202) 482-2054, Email: 
[email protected].

Frank Spector,
Acting Director, Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-09802 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P