[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 197 (Tuesday, October 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61373-61375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-26013]


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 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Water Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Singapore, 
Vietnam, and the Philippines

July 14-22, 2016.
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an Executive-led Water 
Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Singapore, Vietnam, and 
the Philippines.
    The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms and trade 
associations to Southeast Asia's water infrastructure markets and to 
assist U.S. companies to find business partners and export their 
products and services to the region. The mission is intended to include 
representatives from U.S. companies and U.S. trade associations with 
members that provide water infrastructure-related materials, products, 
services, and technology. The trade mission will visit three of 
Southeast Asia's most dynamic markets and will help participants gain 
first-hand market knowledge and establish business contacts with senior 
decision makers. Participating firms will gain market insights, make 
industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific 
projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of products and 
services to Southeast Asia. The mission will include customized one-on-
one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, 
distributors and joint venture partners; meetings with state, local 
government officials (except in the Philippines) and industry leaders; 
and networking events.
    The mission will help participating firms and trade associations to 
gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify business 
strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goals of creating 
and strengthening water infrastructure programs, increasing U.S. 
exports of plumbing products to the region, as well as resolving waste 
and salinity contamination in Southeast Asia. By participating in an 
official U.S. industry delegation, U.S. companies will enhance their 
ability to secure meetings in these countries and gain greater exposure 
to the region through association with our diplomatic mission.

[[Page 61374]]



                                Schedule
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Singapore Thursday July 14........  Trade Mission Participants Arrive in
                                     Singapore.
                                    Welcome and Country Briefing.
                                    Singapore International Water Week
                                     (SIWW) site visit (TBC).
                                    Regional Briefings.
                                    One-on-One business matchmaking
                                     appointments.
                                    Networking Reception at Ambassador's
                                     residence (TBC).
Singapore Friday July 15..........  One-on-One business matchmaking
                                     appointments.
Vietnam Saturday July 16..........  Travel to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh).
Vietnam Sunday July 17............  Travel/Free Day Vietnam (Ho Chi
                                     Minh).
Vietnam Monday July 18............  Country Briefing.
                                    Meeting with Saigon Water
                                     Corporation.
                                    Luncheon (no-cost).
                                    Site visits.
                                    Meeting with City People's
                                     Committee.
Vietnam Tuesday July 19...........  One-on-One business matchmaking
                                     appointments.
                                    Networking Reception at Consul
                                     General's residence (TBC).
Philippines Wednesday July 20.....  Travel to Manila.
                                    Networking Reception.
Philippines Thursday July 21......  Welcome and Country Briefing.
                                    One-on-One business matchmaking
                                     appointments
Philippines Friday July 22........  Meeting with Asian Development Bank
                                     Water Specialists.
                                    Site Visit.
                                    Mission Wrap-up.
Saturday July 23..................  Return Home.
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    Web site: Please visit our official mission Web site for more 
information: http://export.gov/trademissions/asiawater

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
DOC. 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 will be 
selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate 
on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, 
and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. 
Interpreter and driver services can be arranged for additional cost. 
Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates 
for hotel rooms.
    Participation fee for small or medium sized enterprises (SME): 
$3,300.00.
    Participation fee for large firms or trade associations: $4,500.00.
    Fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/
trade organization): $1,000.

Application

    All interested firms and associations may register via the 
following link: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/TM/6R0T

Exclusions

    The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such 
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation, and air 
transportation from the U.S. to the mission sites, between mission 
sites, and return to the United States. Business visas may be required. 
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.

Timeline 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://export.gov/trademissions) and 
other Internet Web sites, press releases to general and trade media, 
direct mail, 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 no later than April 29, 2016. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions periodically during the recruitment period 
beginning October 16, 2016. All applications received subsequent to an 
evaluation date will be considered at the next evaluation. Applications 
received after April 29, 2016, will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.

Conditions for Participation

    The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
     Relevance of the company's (or in the case of a trade 
association/organization, represented companies') business to the 
mission goals
     Company's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented companies') market potential for business in 
Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines.
     Provision of adequate information on the company's 
products and/or services, and communication of the company's (or in the 
case of a trade association/organization, represented companies') 
primary objectives.

    Diversity of company size and location may also be considered 
during the review process. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gemal Brangman, Project Officer, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington,

[[Page 61375]]

DC, Tel: 202-482-3773, Fax: 202-482-9000,[email protected].

 Frank Spector,
Acting Director, Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-26013 Filed 10-9-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P