[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 126 (Thursday, June 30, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42656-42657]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15484]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Information and Communication Technologies and Services Trade 
Mission to Singapore and Vietnam March 6-10, 2017

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY:

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is organizing an Informational and Technologies 
(ICT) Trade Mission to Singapore and Vietnam from March 6-10th, 2017. 
The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms to Singapore and 
Vietnam's rapidly expanding ICT sector, and to assist U.S. companies in 
pursuing export opportunities in this sector. The mission is designed 
for U.S. ICT companies. The mission also will help U.S. companies 
already doing business in Singapore and Vietnam increase their 
footprint and deepen their business interests. With the 
Administration's emphasis on enacting the Trans-Pacific Partnership, 
medium and long-term opportunities will continue for American companies 
that strategically position in these markets. The mission will not be 
an executive-led mission.
    This trade mission focus on recruiting U.S. veteran-owned companies 
1 2 and others who play a significant role in information 
communication and telecom infrastructure development, by helping U.S. 
companies get ahead of their global competitors in the ASEAN markets 
that present excellent market opportunities in these sectors.
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    \1\ Formed by veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, Vets Go Global 
is a team of U.S. Commercial Service international trade specialists 
dedicated to helping other U.S. veterans connect to business 
opportunities around the world. The Vets Go Global team is the main 
organizer of this trade mission.
    \2\ Despite the veteran-owned business focus, all companies are 
encouraged to apply. Recruitment will not be limited to veteran-
owned businesses, and non-veteran-owned status will not determine 
eligibility and denial for the mission.
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    Target sectors holding high potential for U.S exporters include 
fixed and mobile telephone networks, Internet, satellites, 
broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) hardware and software, and in 
any sub-sector related to the telecommunications industry. Mission 
participants will benefit from country briefings, one-on-one 
appointments with prospective business contacts, and high-level 
meetings with government officials and business leaders.
    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. ICT 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 host governments; 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 
Vietnam and Singapore.

Schedule

Arrive in Singapore March 4th and 5th

Monday, March 6, 2017

 Briefing by US Embassy Singapore officials
 Briefing by Singapore Government/Industry officials
 One-on-one meetings with Singapore companies
 Networking Reception

Hanoi, Vietnam

Wednesday, March 8, 2017

 Briefing by U.S. Embassy officials
 Briefing by Vietnamese Government
 One-on-one meetings with Vietnamese companies
 Reception at Ambassador Residence

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Ho Chi Minh City

Friday, March 10, 2017

 Briefing by U.S. Consulate officials
 Briefing by Vietnamese Government
 One-on-one meetings with Vietnamese companies

Web site

    Please visit our official mission Web site for more information: 
http://export.gov/trademissions/eg_main_023185.asp.

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 ten firms and a maximum of 12 
firms, service providers and/or trade associations/organizations will 
be selected from the applicant pool to participate in the trade 
mission.

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 Singapore and 
Vietnam alone is $3,200.00 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) 
\3\ and $5,300.00 for large firms and trade associations/organizations. 
The fee for each additional representative (large firm or SME or trade 
association/organization) is $750.00. The rate for additional/optional 
meetings in Ho Chi Minh City is not included, but would be the formal 
established GKS rates for one-day worth of scheduled meetings ($700).
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    \3\ 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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Application

    All interested firms and associations may register via the 
following link: https://emenuapps.ita.doc.gov/ePublic/TM/7R0N.

[[Page 42657]]

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 during the 
mission), and air transportation. Participants will, however, be able 
to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. 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.

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 January 8, 2017. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and make selection decisions on rolling basis. 
Applications received after January 8, 2017 will be considered only if 
space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contact Information

U.S. Contact

    Ashish Vaid, International Trade Specialist, US & Foreign 
Commercial Service, 290 Broadway, Suite 1312, New York, NY 10007, t: 
646-385-4503, [email protected].
    Dylan Daniels, International Trade Specialist, US & Foreign 
Commercial Service, 22 N. Front St., Suite 200, Memphis, TN 38103, t: 
901-544-0930, [email protected].

Singapore

    Swee Hoon Chia, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Singapore, Tel: +65 
6476-9037, Direct: +65 6476-9403, Fax: + 65 6476-9080, Email: 
[email protected].

Vietnam

    Stuart Schaag, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Consulate Embassy Hanoi, Tel: 
84-4-3850-5199, Email: [email protected].

Frank Spector,
Trade Mission Programs.
[FR Doc. 2016-15484 Filed 6-29-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P