[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 53 (Friday, March 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15367-15371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-05707]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade 
Missions

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 announcing two upcoming trade missions that 
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. These missions 
are:

 U.S. ICT and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to the Western 
Balkans--October 23-28, 2022
 Healthcare Sector Business Development Mission to Thailand, 
Vietnam, and Malaysia--September 19-24, 2022

    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.

[[Page 15368]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Odum, Events Management Task 
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-
6397 or email [email protected].

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 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.

Important Note About the Covid-19 Pandemic

    Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and 
health conditions in the United States and the mission countries. 
Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or 
in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event 
or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the 
event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public and 
applicants previously selected to

[[Page 15369]]

participate in this mission will need to confirm their availability but 
need not reapply. Should the decision be made to organize a virtual 
program, the Department will adjust fees, accordingly, prepare an 
agenda for virtual activities, and notify the previous selected 
applicants with the option to opt-in to the new virtual program.
    Mission List: (additional information about each mission can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

U.S ICT and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to the Western Balkans

Dates: October 23-28, 2022

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing a U.S. ICT and Energy Efficiency 
Trade Mission to the Western Balkans, with specific stops in Serbia and 
Montenegro on October 23-28, 2022.
    The ICT and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to the Western Balkans 
is intended to include representatives from a variety of U.S. ICT, 
energy efficiency, and renewable energy technology manufactures, 
service providers, associations, and trade organizations. The mission 
will introduce the participants to foreign government experts and 
decision makers, service providers, end-users, and prospective partners 
whose needs and capabilities are best suited to each U.S. participant's 
strengths. Participating in an official U.S. trade delegation, rather 
than traveling to Serbia and Montenegro individually will not only help 
enhance the participants' ability to secure key business and government 
meetings in the Western Balkans, but also more effectively promote U.S. 
goods and services to a wider targeted audience. Mission participants 
will learn about regional priorities, policy and regulatory changes, 
and projects throughout the region. The purpose of the mission is to 
leverage the regional political and economic climate to help U.S. 
companies enter the markets or further expand their market share.
    The meetings will match the participants with potential business 
partners, distributors, and importers in in the two markets and wider 
region. Moreover, key local industry leaders will brief mission 
participants on local market conditions, needs and opportunities in the 
various regions, and domestic regulatory and policy issues that impact 
the two sectors.

Proposed Timetable

    *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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Date                               Schedule
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, October 23, 2022..........  --Trade Mission Participants arrive
                                     in Belgrade, Serbia and check-in
                                     their hotel.
                                    --Those that arrive on time can
                                     attend an optional cultural/
                                     sightseeing event and a welcome
                                     dinner.
Monday, October 24, 2022..........  --Morning Embassy Briefing on Doing
                                     Business in Serbia.
                                    --Meeting with Ministry of Trade,
                                     Tourism, and Telecommunications.
                                    --Networking lunch with AmCham.
                                    --Afternoon B2B Meetings.
                                    --Reception hosted by Ambassador
                                     Godfrey.
Tuesday, October 25, 2022.........  --Meeting with Ministry of Mining
                                     and Energy.
                                    --Networking lunch and B2G Meeting.
                                    --Plenary Event at Serbian Chamber
                                     of Commerce.
                                    --Open Balkans Regional Business
                                     Networking Reception.
Wednesday, October 26, 2022.......  --Transfer to airport for travel to
                                     Podgorica, Montenegro.
                                    --Networking Lunch.
                                    -- Afternoon Embassy briefing on
                                     doing business in Montenegro.
                                    --Dinner.
Thursday, October 27, 2022........  --Meetings with Montenegrin
                                     Government.
                                    --Networking lunch with AmCham.
                                    --B2G Roundtable.
                                    --B2B Meetings.
                                    --Reception hosted by Chief of
                                     Mission.
Friday, October 28, 2022..........  --Morning B2B Meetings.
                                    --Morning B2G Meetings.
                                    --Networking Lunch.
                                    --Checkout of hotel and transfer to
                                     Airport.
                                    --Departure to United States.
                                    --Mission Complete.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
DOC. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A 
minimum of 20 and maximum of 30 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 $1800 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) \1\; 
and $3750 for large firms or trade associations. The fee for each 
additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) 
is $250. 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. Delegation members will 
be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.

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

[[Page 15370]]

(http://export.gov/trademissions) 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 
August 19th, 2022. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review 
applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling 
basis. Applications received after August 19th, 2022 will be considered 
only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Embassy Belgrade/U.S. Commercial Service in Serbia

Rachel Duran, Senior Commercial Officer, 381117064072, 
[email protected]
Boris Popovski, Senior Commercial Specialist, 381113064752, 
[email protected]
Gordana Barac, Commercial Specialist, 381117064000, 
[email protected]

Department of Commerce (Global Teams and U.S. Field)

Molly Ho, Global Technology Team Leader, U.S. Commercial Service 
Denver, Colorado, (303) 889-9789, [email protected]
Danielle Caltabiano, Global Energy Team Leader, U.S. Commercial Service 
Houston, Texas, (281) 228-5655, [email protected]

Department of Commerce HQ

Nathan Bradley, Western Balkan Desk Officer, Office of Central and 
Southeast Europe, (202)-482-2188, [email protected]
Kyle Johnson, Information Technologies Team Lead, Office of Health & 
Information Technologies, (202)-482-3013, [email protected]
Elise Reysbergen, ICT International Trade Specialist, Office of Health 
& Information Technologies, 202-482-3416, [email protected]
Cary Ingram, Senior Telecommunications International Trade Specialist, 
Office of Health & Information Technologies, (202) 482-2872, 
[email protected]
Andrew Moyseowicz, Senior Electric Utility Industry International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, (202) 482-
0188, [email protected]
Gary Stanley, Director, Office of Materials, (202)-482-0376, 
[email protected]
Brian Ledgerwood, Senior Building and Construction International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Materials, (202)-482-3836, 
[email protected]

Healthcare Sector Business Development Mission to Thailand, Vietnam, 
and Malaysia

Dates: September 19-24, 2022

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an executive-led healthcare sector 
business development mission to the Southeast Asian countries of 
Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia from September 19 to 24, 2022.
    The Healthcare Sector Business Development Mission will assist U.S. 
health sector exporters and ITA strategic partners in exploring market 
opportunities into Southeast Asia, building on the Virtual Medical 
Technology Trade Forum to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand on May 24-27, 
2021. The new Mission will include matchmaking appointments, market 
briefings, policy-focused roundtables, and site visits to increase U.S. 
industry competitiveness and build relationships. Mission participants 
will gain firsthand knowledge of the selected Southeast Asian markets 
through business overviews and introductions to hospitals and clinical 
laboratories, government healthcare agencies, distributors, and others 
who could benefit from U.S. products and services.
    The Trade Mission to Southeast Asia will seek to include U.S. 
medical products in high potential areas, such as technologies and 
equipment for treating non-communicable diseases.

Proposed Timetable

    * 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thailand Day 1.........................  Trade Mission Participants
                                          Arrive in Bangkok.
Sunday, September 18...................
Thailand Day 1.........................  Optional: Morning Rest.
Monday, September 19...................      Welcome remarks by
                                             U.S. Ambassador.
                                          U.S. Mission Thailand
                                          market briefing.
                                          Welcome remarks on
                                          Thailand's healthcare and
                                          medical tourism by Ministry of
                                          Public Health.
                                          Panel discussion on
                                          Thailand's non-communicable
                                          disease treatments and
                                          technologies.
                                          Panel discussion on
                                          plastic surgery and medical
                                          aesthetics.
                                          One-on-one meetings
                                          with potential distributors.
                                          Networking reception
                                          at the Ambassador's Residence
                                          or hotel and meeting with
                                          invitees from Thailand's
                                          healthcare industry.
Thailand Day 2.........................      Continued one-one-
                                             one meetings.
                                          Meetings with medical
                                          device associations/hospitals.
Tuesday, September 20..................  Travel to Hanoi, Vietnam
                                          U.S. Embassy Briefing
                                          and Welcome at the
                                          Ambassador's Residence.
Vietnam Day 1..........................      Meeting the
                                             Ministry of Health (MOH)
                                             Vietnam:
Wednesday, September 21................       [cir]-Welcome remarks by
                                               Delegation and MOH.
                                         [cir]-MOH Briefing on
                                          Vietnamese Healthcare system
                                          with applicable regulations.
                                         [cir]-Open Discussion on
                                          Vietnam's Development
                                          Strategies for Healthcare.
                                          Visit to one Public or
                                          Private hospital's.
                                          One-on-one meetings
                                          with potential partners/
                                          distributors (in person if
                                          potential partners are based
                                          in Hanoi and virtual meetings
                                          with potential partners based
                                          in Ho Chi Minh City).
                                          Networking reception
                                          at a hotel and meeting with
                                          invitees from Vietnam's
                                          healthcare industry and U.S.
                                          Embassy Officers.

[[Page 15371]]

 
Vietnam Day 2..........................      Morning: possible
                                             second day of one-on-one
                                             meetings at hotel and/or
                                             visit to local medical
                                             device association.
Thursday, September 22.................  Travel to Kuala Lumpur,
                                          Malaysia
Malaysia Day 1.........................      Meeting with the
                                             Ministry of Health (MOH)
                                             Malaysia:
                                         --Welcome remarks on the
                                          Malaysian healthcare system
                                          and non-communicable diseases
                                          by MOH.
Friday, September 23...................      Delegate to present
                                             U.S. solutions.
                                          Meeting with Malaysia
                                          Medical Device Association
                                          (MMDA)/Association of
                                          Malaysian Medical Industries
                                          (AMMI).
                                          U.S. Embassy Malaysia
                                          briefing--Political, Economic,
                                          Commercial climate/context.
                                          Additional meeting(s)
                                          and/or one-on-one meetings
                                          with Malaysian healthcare
                                          industry and stakeholders, as
                                          well as potential partners/
                                          distributors.
                                          Networking reception
                                          at Chief of Mission Residence/
                                          hotel and meet with invitees
                                          from Malaysian government and
                                          healthcare industry and U.S.
                                          Embassy officers.
Malaysia Day 2.........................      Depart Malaysia.
Saturday, September 24.................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
DOC. 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 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 
Healthcare Business Development Mission will be $5,300 for small or 
medium-sized enterprises (SME) \1\; and $6,200 for large firms or trade 
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $500.

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://export.gov/trademissions) 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 June 30, 2022. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a comparative basis. Applications received 
after June 30, 2022 will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Lisa Huot, Senior International Trade Specialist, Office of Health and 
Information Technologies, Washington, DC, Ph: 202-482-2796, 
[email protected]
Miguel Olivares, Senior International Trade Specialist, Export 
Assistance Center, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Ph: 954-356-6649, 
[email protected]
Krista Barry, Vietnam and Malaysia Desk Officer, Global Markets Asia, 
Washington, DC, Ph: 202-389-2298, [email protected]

Thailand/ASEAN Region

John Breidenstine, ASEAN Regional Senior Commercial Officer, Bangkok, 
Thailand, p.+6622055280, [email protected]
Charles Phillips, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer, Bangkok, Thailand, 
p. +66-2205-5263, [email protected]

Vietnam

Stephen Jacques, Acting Senior Commercial Officer, The U.S. Commercial 
Service, U.S. Embassy, Hanoi, Vietnam, Ph: +(84) 090-319-6788, 
[email protected]

Malaysia

Francis Peters, Senior Commercial Officer, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ph: 
+60 1 2383-2030, [email protected]

    Dated: March 14, 2022.
Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2022-05707 Filed 3-17-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P