[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 185 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50002-50005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-20664]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Announcement of Upcoming Secretary-Led Business Development
Mission to Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam, November 3-8, 2019
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA) is announcing an upcoming trade missions that will
be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. The mission is:
Secretary-Led Business Development Mission to Thailand,
Indonesia, and Vietnam, November 3-8, 2019.
A summary of the mission is found below. Application information
and more detailed mission information, including the commercial setting
and sector information, can be found at the trade mission website:
http://www.export.gov/IndoPacific2019.
For each mission, recruitment will be conducted in an open and
public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting
on the
[[Page 50003]]
Commerce Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and other internet websites, 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.
The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for This
Mission
An applicant must sign and submit a completed application and
supplemental application materials, including adequate information on
the represented company's, or trade association members', products and/
or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation. If
an incomplete application form is submitted or the information and
material submitted does not demonstrate how the applicant satisfies the
participation criteria, the Department of Commerce may reject the
application, request additional information, or take the lack of
information into account when evaluating the application.
Each applicant must:
Identify whether the products and services it seeks to
export through the mission are either produced in the United States,
or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51
percent U.S. content. In cases where the U.S. content does not exceed
50 percent, especially where the applicant intends to pursue investment
in major project opportunities, the following factors, may be
considered in determining whether the applicant's participation in the
Mission is in the U.S. national interest:
[cir] U.S. materials and equipment content;
[cir] U.S. labor content;
[cir] Contribution to the U.S. technology base, including conduct
of research and development in the United States;
[cir] Repatriation of profits to the U.S. economy;
[cir] Potential for follow-on business that would benefit the U.S.
economy;
Certify that the export of their products and services is
in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations;
Certify that it has identified to the Department of
Commerce any business matter pending before any bureau or office in the
Department of Commerce;
Certify that it has identified any pending litigation
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that
involves the Departments of Commerce; and
Certify 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, the applicant must certify that
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association can
make the above certifications.
The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for This Mission
Selection will be based on the following criteria, listed in
decreasing order of importance:
Suitability of the company's products or services to the
target markets and the likelihood of a participating company's
increased exports or business interests in the target markets as a
result of this mission;
Consistency of the company's products or services with the
scope and desired outcome of the mission's goals;
Rank/seniority of the designated company representative;
Current or pending major project/transaction/agreement/
investment within the target markets and capacity to increase U.S.
exports to the Indo-Pacific region; and
Demonstrated export experience in the target markets and/
or other foreign markets.
Trade association applicants will be evaluated based on how well
the companies being represented by the organization satisfy the mission
selection criteria.
The balance of entities participating in the mission with respect
to type, size, location, sector or subsector may also be considered
during the review process.
Referrals from political organizations and any information,
including on the application, containing references to political
contributions or other partisan political activities will be excluded
from the application and will not be considered during the selection
process. The sender will be notified of these exclusions.
Definition of Small and Medium Sized Enterprise
For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant is a
small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies under the Small
Business Administration's (SBA) size standards (https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards), which vary by North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code. The SBA Size Standards
Tool [https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/] can help you determine the
qualifications that apply to your company.
Secretary-Led Business Development Mission to Thailand, Indonesia, and
Vietnam
DATES: November 3-8, 2019.
United States Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross will lead a
Business Delegation to the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok,
Thailand and subsequently to Indonesia and Vietnam from November 3-8,
2019. This mission supports President Trump's goals of accelerating
U.S. commercial activity in the region, supporting job-creating export
opportunities for U.S companies, and meeting the region's needs for
economic growth and development.
President Trump and the Administration remain committed to a free
and open Indo-Pacific in which all nations are sovereign, strong, and
prosperous. So too, this mission reflects the Secretary's strong
commitment to catalyze United States private sector support of market-
driven and sustainable infrastructure development around the world. The
Secretary-Led Business Development Mission will promote a robust U.S.
commercial presence in the Indo-Pacific region and will focus on
supporting U.S. companies in the energy, infrastructure and digital
economy sectors to launch or expand their business in the target
markets.
In addition to the commercial goals, the delegation will also focus
on advancing the President's Indo-Pacific Transparency Initiative to
help partner countries combat corruption, promote rule of law, and
strengthen governance institutions. Key elements of the mission will
include business-to-government and business-to-business meetings,
market briefings, and networking events.
Delegation members will also have the opportunity to participate in
the 2nd Indo-Pacific Business Forum (IPBF) \1\ in Bangkok, Thailand on
November 4, 2019. The IPBF is being organized by the U.S. Government,
the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, the
Royal Thai Government, and the Thai Chamber of Commerce. It will be
held on the sidelines of the annual U.S.-ASEAN and East Asia Summits,
which draw leaders from throughout the Indo-Pacific region. The IPBF
will provide a unique opportunity to interact with senior U.S. and
Indo-Pacific business and government
[[Page 50004]]
leaders. The event will provide a venue to showcase major deal
signings, new initiatives, and innovative American-made products and
solutions. The IPBF will also highlight the United States private
sector's continued profile as the partner of choice for trade and
investment with this dynamic region.
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\1\ For additional information about the 2nd Indo-Pacific
Business Forum, please visit www.uschamber.com/event/indo-pacific-business-forum.
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Representatives of the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-
Im), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC,
formerly OPIC) and the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will
participate in and support senior-level U.S. representation at the
IPBF, and will provide information and counseling regarding their
suites of programs and services on federal trade promotion and
financing capabilities in these markets. This collaborative interagency
approach highlights the shared interest among U.S. Government agencies
in promoting Southeast Asia as a critical overseas market for U.S.
products and services.
The business delegation will be composed of CEOs and senior
executives from 12-25 U.S. firms, representing the mission's target
sectors: energy, infrastructure and digital. Trade Associations with
significant involvement or interests in the region will be considered.
Proposed Time Table
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Saturday, November 2.......... Travel to BANGKOK Welcome
Dinner.
Sunday, November 3............ Bangkok, Thailand Business
Development Mission
Orientation.
Monday, November 4............ Bangkok, Thailand Indo-Pacific
Business Forum.
Individual
Company Business
Appointments.
VIP
Roundtable.
Tuesday, November 5........... Bangkok, Thailand Government
Travel to JAKARTA Meetings.
Wednesday, November 6......... Jakarta, Government
Indonesia. Meetings.
Individual
Company Business
Appointments.
VIP
Reception.
Thursday, November 7.......... Jakarta,
Indonesia.
Travel to HANOI..
Friday, November 8............ Hanoi, Vietnam... Government
Meetings.
Individual
Company Business
Appointments.
Closing
Dinner.
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Participation Requirements
All companies interested in participating in the Secretarial Trade
Mission to the Indo-Pacific must complete and submit an application
package for consideration to the 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 12 and a
maximum of 25 companies will be selected to participate in the mission
from the applicant pool.
Fees and Expenses
After a company has been selected to participate in the mission, a
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation
fee is required.
The fee schedule for the mission is below:
$12,700 for large firms or trade associations
$10,200 for a small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) \2\
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\2\ An applicant is a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if
it qualifies under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size
standards [https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards], which vary by North American Industry Classification
System (NAICS) Code. The SBA Size Standards Tool [https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/] can help you determine the
qualifications that apply to your company.
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$1,500 additional representative (large firm, SME, or
trade association--limit one additional representative per company)
Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the
responsibility of each mission participant. Costs for participation in
the 2nd IPBF in Bangkok, Thailand are not included in the trade mission
fees. Interpreter and driver services for individual meetings and
appointments can be arranged for additional costs. Delegation members
will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.
More detailed travel information and recommended providers will be
provided once a company has confirmed participation.
Exclusions
The mission fee does not include any personal travel expenses such
as lodging, most meals, local ground transportation, and air
transportation from the United States 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.
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.
Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including publication in the Federal Register (http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr), posting on ITA's business development mission
calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions) and other internet websites,
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 will begin immediately and conclude no later than
October 1, 2019. Applications should be completed online at the Mission
website at https://www.export.gov/IndoPacific2019 or can be obtained by
contacting the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison
(202-482-1360 or [email protected]).
The application deadline is Tuesday, October 1, 2019. Applications
received after Tuesday, October 1, 2019, will be
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considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. The
Department of Commerce will evaluate all applications and inform
applicants of selection decisions no later than October 16, 2019.
How To Apply
Applications can be downloaded from the business development
mission website (http://www.export.gov/IndoPacific2019) or can be
obtained by contacting the Office of Business Liaison (see below).
Contacts
General Information and Applications:
United States Department of Commerce, Office of Business Liaison, 1401
Constitution Avenue NW, Room 5062, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: 202-482-
1360, Fax: 202-482-4054, Email: [email protected]
International Trade Administration, Office of Southeast Asia, Ian
Clements, Acting Director, Southeast Asia, Email:
[email protected]
Tiara Hampton-Diggs,
Program Specialist, Trade Promotion Programs.
[FR Doc. 2019-20664 Filed 9-23-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P