[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 221 (Wednesday, November 16, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80641-80643]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27556]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Smart Technologies Trade Mission to Taiwan and Hong Kong With an 
Optional Stop in Guangzhou (China)

April 24-28, 2017.
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 a Trade Mission to Taiwan and Hong 
Kong, with an optional stop in Guangzhou (China), focused on Smart 
Technologies in the Information and Communication Technology Sector on 
April 24-28, 2017. The goal of this trade mission is to provide U.S. 
participants with first-hand market information and one-on-one meetings 
with technology partners in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou, including 
potential agents and distributors of smart technologies, so they can 
position themselves to enter or expand their presence in those markets.
    The mission is intended to help expand U.S. exports to Hong Kong, 
Taiwan, and China for U.S. technology providers of smart 
transportation, smart building and financial technology (fintech). The 
mission will introduce these suppliers to business partners, industry 
representatives, and government officials in Taiwan and Hong Kong, with 
an optional stop in Guangzhou (for smart transportation and smart 
building only) to learn about

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and benefit from various smart city projects and opportunities in these 
respective cities. Increasingly, smart city technologies are seen as 
means to keep metropolitan and national economies competitive. A smart 
city market research report published by Navigant in 2014 forecast that 
the annual smart city technology investment in the Greater China region 
(China, Taiwan and Hong Kong) will grow from US$1 billion to US$5 
billion by 2023. This figure represents only the smart technology part 
of much larger smart city projects across different industries and 
sectors, such as:

 Smart sensors and meters
 dedicated networks
 cloud computing platforms
 data analytics, and
 integrated systems and applications

    The trade mission offers a timely and cost effective way of 
engaging key stakeholders in the development of smart city projects in 
Greater China. Trade mission participants will have the opportunity to 
interact extensively with host government, private sector and 
Commercial Service (CS) officials in Taiwan and Hong Kong to discuss 
industry developments, business opportunities and market entry 
strategies. In addition, participants with smart transportation and 
smart building technologies may opt to receive similar briefing and 
meeting opportunities in Guangzhou, China for an additional cost.
    In Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou (optional), participants will 
meet with pre-screened distributors, corporate representatives, and 
other business partners and government organizations involved in the 
promotion of smart technologies. They will also attend market briefings 
by U.S. Commercial Service and Consulate officials, as well as round 
table discussions offering further opportunities to speak with local 
business and industry decision-makers.

Schedule

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April 23, Sunday..........................  Delegates arrive in Taiwan.
April 24, Monday..........................  1 Day in Taiwan.
April 25, Tuesday.........................  \1/2\ Day in Taiwan.
                                            Travel to Hong Kong.
April 26, Wednesday.......................  1 Day in Hong Kong.
April 27, Thursday........................  \1/2\ Day in Hong Kong.
                                            Travel to Guangzhou
                                             (Optional).
April 28, Friday..........................  1 Day in Guangzhou
                                             (Optional).
April 29, Saturday........................  Delegates depart.
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Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission to 
Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Guangzhou (Optional) must complete and submit an 
application package for consideration by the Department of Commerce. 
All applicants, on a staggered basis, will be evaluated on their 
ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection 
criteria as outlined below. U.S. companies or trade associations 
already doing business in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China, as well as U.S. 
companies/trade associations seeking to enter those markets for the 
first time may apply. 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. The participation fee for the Trade 
Mission will be $3,700 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME); \1\ 
and $4,700 for large firms or trade associations. The cost for the 
optional stop in Guangzhou for smart transportation and smart building 
firms is not included and is an additional $750 per SME and $2,300 per 
large firm and trade association/organization. The fee for each 
additional firm representative for the mission and optional stop (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $1,000. Upon notification of 
acceptance to participate, those selected have 10 business days to 
submit payment or after such time the Department of Commerce reserves 
the right to revoke the acceptance or may offer the participant spot to 
other qualified applicants. 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. 
The participation fee will cover group transit from hotel to airport/
train station on departure from each destination as well as local group 
transportation to meeting venues, where applicable. Delegation members 
will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
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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 visas are also not included in the 
mission costs. However, the Department of Commerce will provide 
instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain 
necessary business visas. Trade Mission members participate in the 
trade mission and undertake mission-related travel at their own risk. 
The nature of the security situation in a given foreign market at a 
given time cannot be guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any 
representations or guarantees as to the safety or security of 
participants. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. Government 
international travel alerts and warnings for U.S. citizens available at 
https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any 
question regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the 
participant and its insurer of choice.

Conditions for Participation

    An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on the company's products and/or services, primary market objectives, 
and goals for participation. If the Department of Commerce receives an 
incomplete application, the Department may reject the application, 
request additional information, 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 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

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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.
    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

     Suitability of the company's (or, in the case of a trade 
association or trade organization, represented companies') products or 
services to the market.
     Company's (or, in the case of a trade association or trade 
organization, represented companies') potential for business in the 
country and region, including likelihood of exports resulting from the 
mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission. Balance of company size, sector or 
subsector, 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.

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 January 31, 2017. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a staggered basis during the recruitment 
period beginning October 7, 2016. Applications received after January 
31, 2017, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gemal Brangman, Trade Promotion 
Programs Team Lead, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC, Tel: 
202-482-3773, Email: [email protected].

Frank Spector,
Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2016-27556 Filed 11-15-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P