[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 178 (Monday, September 14, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56578-56581]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20154]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Announcement of Upcoming US-UK Financial Innovation Partnership 
(FIP) Trade Mission to the United Kingdom and Education Trade Mission 
to India

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is announcing two upcoming trade missions that 
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. These missions 
are: US-UK Financial Innovation Partnership Trade Mission to the United 
Kingdom--June 21-24, 2021; Education Trade Mission to India--August 2-
7, 2021. A summary of each 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: https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions. For each 
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 (https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions-schedule) 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gemal Brangman, Trade Promotion 
Programs, Industry and Analysis, International Trade Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, 
DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-3773.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for Each 
Mission

    Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application 
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information 
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals 
for participation to allow the Department of Commerce to evaluate their 
application. If the Department of Commerce receives an incomplete 
application, the Department may either: reject the application, request 
additional information/clarification, or take the lack of information 
into account when evaluating the application. If the requisite minimum 
number of participants is not selected for the mission by the 
recruitment deadline, the mission may be cancelled.
    Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it 
seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United 
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have 
at least 51% U.S. content by value. In the case of an organization, the 
applicant must certify that, for each entity to be represented by the 
organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or 
service provider seeks to export are either produced in the United 
States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at 
least 51% U.S. content.
    An organization applicant must certify to the above for all of the 
companies it seeks to represent on the mission.
    In addition, each applicant must:
     Certify that the export of products and services that it 
wishes to market through the mission is in compliance with U.S. export 
controls and regulations;
     Certify that it has identified any 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 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.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for Each Mission

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers 
and

[[Page 56579]]

organizations (universities, research institutions, or financial 
services trade associations) providing or promoting U.S. products and 
services that have an interest in entering or expanding their business 
in the mission's destination country. The following criteria will be 
evaluated in selecting participants:
     Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of an 
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) products or 
services to these markets;
     The applicant's (or in the case of an organization, 
represented firm's or service provider's) potential for business in the 
markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; 
and
     Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of an 
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) goals and 
objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
    Balance of applicant's size and location may also be considered 
during the review process.
    Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or 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.

Trade Mission Participation Fees

    If and when an applicant is selected to participate on a particular 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the 
designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of 
acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to 
submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.
    Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay 
for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, 
international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, 
and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be 
able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the 
event that a mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in 
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation 
fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have 
not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
    If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying 
for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission 
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a 
visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department 
of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the 
procedures required to obtain business visas.
    Trade Mission members participate in trade missions 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/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. Any question 
regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and 
its insurer of choice.

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.
    Mission List: (additional information about each mission can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

U.S.-UK Financial Innovation Partnership Trade Mission to the United 
Kingdom

Dates: June 21-24, 2021

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is organizing a financial services trade mission 
to the United Kingdom in conjunction with the United States-United 
Kingdom Financial Innovation Partnership Initiative from June 21 to 24, 
2021.
    The purpose of the U.S.-UK Financial Innovation Partnership (FIP) 
trade mission is to expand opportunities for U.S. companies at the 
intersection of financial services, technology and international 
commerce. The FIP was established in May 2019 with the intent of 
encouraging collaboration in the private sector, sharing information 
and expertise about regulatory practices, and promoting growth and 
innovation. The FIP focuses on two main areas--regulatory engagement 
and commercial engagement. The FIP also seeks to promote a dynamic 
private sector that supports entrepreneurs and new business models--a 
necessary driver of financial innovation. The FIP was specifically 
mentioned during the first round of U.S.-UK Free Trade Agreement 
negotiations in May 2020, as an important bilateral dialogue that 
reflects a bilateral commitment to open markets and the importance of 
the financial services sector.
    The FIP commercial engagement pillar provides for enhanced and 
regular opportunities for the private sector in one country to engage 
with industry associations and market participants in the other 
country. Participants in the FIP Trade Mission will gain market 
insights, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and 
discuss enabling policies, with the primary goal of increasing U.S. 
exports of products and services to the UK. The FIP mission will 
include, where available, customized business appointments with pre-
screened potential business partners, such as buyers, agents, 
distributors and/or joint venture partners; meetings with subnational 
and/or local government officials and industry leaders; and networking 
events.

Proposed Timetable

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, June 21, 2021.............   Trade Mission Participants
                                     Arrive.
                                     No Host Dinner/Delegation
                                     Meet Up/Evening Activity (i.e.,
                                     London Eye).
Tuesday, June 22, 2021............   Opening Breakfast at
                                     Winfield House (Regents Park).
                                     FCA Sandbox Discussion
                                     (Stratford).
                                     Level 39 Accelerator Show
                                     Round and Visit with Key Tenants
                                     (Canary Wharf).
                                     Evening Reception--TBC Bank/
                                     Venue in Canary Wharf.
Wednesday, June 23, 2021..........   7:30 am Opening of London
                                     Stock Exchange Networking,
                                     Ceremony, and Information on
                                     Listing on the Exchange (St
                                     Paul's).

[[Page 56580]]

 
                                     Bank of England Show Round
                                     and Discussion (Bank).
                                     Delegation: Lunch on Own
                                     (Bank/Various); DAS: Programming
                                     with DIT Counterparts (Whitehall).
                                     FIP Roundtable Discussion
                                     with HMG, FinTech Alliance at U.S.
                                     Embassy (Vauxhall).
                                     Evening Reception
                                     (Sponsored/Venue TBC).
Thursday, June 24, 2021...........   Pitch Fest Half Day Forum
                                     at U.S. Embassy (Vauxhall).
                                     Official Trade Mission
                                     Program Concludes.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    * Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend 
on the availability of host government and business officials, 
specific goals of mission participants, and ground transportation.

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by 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 10 and maximum of 15 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 United 
States--United Kingdom Financial Innovation Partnership (FIP) trade 
mission will be $2,800 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); 
and $4,500 for large firms or organization. The fee for each additional 
firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) is $750. 
When an applicant is selected to participate on the mission, a payment 
to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the designated 
participation fee is required. Upon notification that they have been 
selected to participate, those selected have 5 business days to submit 
payment or the acceptance may be revoked.

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 (https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions-schedule) and other internet websites, 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 December 18, 
2020. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications and 
inform applicants of selection decisions on a comparative basis. 
Applications received after December 18, 2020, will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Doreen Parekh, Lead, Finance and Innovation, Office of Finance and 
Insurance Industries, Washington, DC, (202) 482-2915, 
[email protected].
Gemal Brangman, Senior Advisor, Trade Missions, Trade Events Management 
Task Force, Washington, DC, (202) 482-3773, [email protected].
Chrystal Denys, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service London, 
+44 (0) 207 891 3419, [email protected].
Peter Sexton, Director, Global Financial Services Team, U.S. Commercial 
Service New York City, (212) 809-2647, [email protected].
Eli Corso-Phinney, International Trade Specialist, Office of Western 
and Northern Europe, Washington, DC, (202) 482-7941, [email protected].
Vincent Tran, International Trade Specialist, Office of Finance and 
Insurance Industries, Washington, DC, (202) 482-2967, 
[email protected].
Brian Beams, Deputy Team Leader Financial Services, U.S. Commercial 
Service Northern New Jersey, (862) 235-5267, [email protected].
Ryan Wallace, Senior International Investment Specialist, SelectUSA, 
(202) 482-7805, [email protected].

Education Trade Mission to India

Dates: August 2-7, 2021

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing an education 
industry trade mission to three cities in India: New Delhi, Bengaluru 
and Mumbai from August 2 to 7, 2021. This mission will include 
representatives from regionally accredited graduate and undergraduate 
schools, educational technology companies, and state study consortia 
whose members are also appropriately accredited at the regional level. 
This mission will seek to connect U.S. educational institutions and 
businesses operating in the educational sector to potential students, 
university/institution partners, and education consultants in India. 
The mission will include one-on-one appointments with potential 
partners, embassy briefings, and student fairs and networking events in 
New Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai to recruit Indian students to the 
United States.
    In addition to the three cities in the mission, participants may 
choose optional spin offs in up to four markets (Kolkata, Ahmedabad, 
Hyderabad and Chennai) in India, for business-to-business meetings.

Proposed Timetable

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New Delhi.........................  Travel Day/Arrival in New Delhi.
                                     Optional No Host Cultural
                                     Activities.
Monday, August 2, 2021............  New Delhi: Briefing, One-on-One
                                     matchmaking meetings; Hosted Lunch;
                                     Evening: Icebreaker Reception.
Tuesday, August 3, 2021...........  Half day site visit--or student
                                     fair; Late afternoon departure for
                                     Bengaluru.
Bengaluru.........................  Travel Day/Arrival in Bengaluru.
                                     Optional Local Tour/Activities.
Wednesday, August 4, 2021.........  Bengaluru: Briefing, One-on-One
                                     matchmaking meetings; Hosted Lunch.
Thursday, August 5, 2021..........  Half day site visit--or student
                                     fair; Late afternoon departure for
                                     Mumbai.
Mumbai............................  Travel Day/Arrival in Mumbai.
                                     Optional No Host Cultural
                                     Activities.
Friday, August 6, 2021............  Mumbai: Briefing, One-on-One
                                     matchmaking meetings; Hosted Lunch.
                                     Student fair.
Saturday, August 7, 2021..........  Half day site visit--or partner
                                     event; Evening Wheels-up.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 56581]]

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Education Trade Mission to India must complete and submit an 
application package for consideration by 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 15 and a maximum of 30 educational institutions/study 
state consortia/companies will be selected to participate in the 
mission. All selected participants will travel to three cities in India 
and will have the option to choose additional business-to-business side 
meetings in up to four markets in India as a spinoff for an additional 
cost.
    The Trade Mission is open to U.S. educational institutions/study 
state consortia/U.S. educational technology companies that are new to 
India and those with existing business in India that are seeking to 
expand their market share. U.S. educational technology companies should 
offer unique, state-of-the-art, innovative solutions.

Fees and Expenses

    After an educational institution/study state consortium/company has 
been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the 
Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required.
    For the trade mission, the participation fee will be $4,326 for a 
small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME)* and $5,915 for large firms. 
Additional participants representing the same institution may 
participate for a fee of $500 each. Participants who choose the 
optional spinoff opportunity for additional business-to-business 
meetings in up-to four markets (Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and 
Chennai) in India, can participate for a fee of $950 per city.
    The mission registration fee includes market briefings, U.S. 
Embassy officer consultations, networking receptions, lunch and coffee 
breaks, as well as transportation associated with the mission program 
in the region.

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 on https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions-schedule and other internet websites, press releases to the 
general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by 
industry trade associations and other multiplier groups and 
announcements at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade 
shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than June 30, 2021. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis until the 
maximum of 30 participants are selected. After the close of the 
recruitment period, educational institutions/study state consortia/
companies will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit.

Contacts

Gabriel Zelaya, Global Education Team Leader, U.S. Commercial Service_
San Jose/Silicon Valley, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
[email protected], Tel: 408-335-9202.

India Contact Information

Brenda VanHorn, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service--
U.S. Consulate General, Mumbai, [email protected].
Noella Monteiro, Commercial Advisor, U.S. Commercial Service--U.S. 
Consulate General, Mumbai, [email protected].

    Dated: September 8, 2020.
Gemal Brangman,
Senior Advisor, Trade Missions, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2020-20154 Filed 9-11-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P