[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

[[Page 50005]]

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