[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 187 (Thursday, September 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66812-66815]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-21170]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade 
Mission

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission that 
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is: 
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Education Trade Mission to 
South India--February 12-20, 2024. 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: 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: 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].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for the 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. 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 a particular mission by the 
recruitment deadline, the mission may be canceled.
    Each applicant must also certify that programs 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. institution 
and have at least 51% U.S. content by value. In the case of a trade 
association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for each 
institution or service provider to be represented by the association/
organization, the products and/or services the represented institution 
or service provider seeks to export are either produced in the United 
States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. institution and 
have at least 51% U.S. content by value.
    A Study State Consortia or other government education stakeholder 
applicant must certify to the above for all of the institutions it 
seeks to represent on the mission.
    In addition, each applicant must:
     Certify that the products and services that it wishes to 
market through the mission would be 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 an institution'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 Study State Consortia or other government 
education stakeholder, the applicant must certify that each institution 
or service provider to be represented by the association/organization 
can make the above certifications.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission

    Targeted mission participants are appropriately accredited U.S. 
educational institutions, services providers, Study State Consortia, 
and other government education stakeholders providing or promoting U.S. 
programs 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 a Study 
State Consortia or other government education stakeholder, represented 
institution's or service provider's) programs or services to these 
markets.
     The applicant's (or in the case of a Study State Consortia 
or other government education stakeholder, represented institution's or 
service provider's) potential for business in the markets, including 
the likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and
     Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a Study 
State Consortia or other government education stakeholder, represented 
institution's or service provider's) goals and objectives with the 
stated scope of the mission.
    Balance of institution 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.
    Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

GDEI Education Trade Mission to South India--February 12-20, 2024

Summary

    The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. Commercial Service in India, in collaboration with 
the U. S. Department of State, EducationUSA Chennai

[[Page 66813]]

Advising Center in India, is organizing an Education Trade Mission to 
promote U.S. higher education in Bengaluru and four southern Indian 
secondary markets--Mangaluru, Manipal, Kochi, and Coimbatore from 
February 12-20, 2024. This mission will target U.S. Higher Educational 
Institutions (HEIs) offering graduate programs and which are New-to-
Export (NTE) or New-to-Market (NTM), such as Historically Black 
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions 
(MSIs), Study State Consortia (composed of colleges and universities, 
community programs, and similar entities representing education within 
U.S. states) and other government education stakeholders (e.g., 
Governor's offices, state trade offices, economic development 
organizations, etc.) that are interested in connecting with local 
Higher Education Institutes (HEIs), and educational consultants, and 
will assist in recruiting Indian students from these markets to the 
United States. The mission will include Consulate and industry market 
briefings, one-on-one appointments with potential partners, and student 
fairs in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Manipal, Kochi, and Coimbatore.
    Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready 
institutions, Study State Consortia, and other government educational 
stakeholders that meet the established criteria for participation in 
the mission. ITA is seeking to improve outreach to HEIs that have not 
previously participated in GDEI Education Trade Missions and/or have 
not previously engaged in fulsome international graduate recruiting. 
This mission is in alignment with Executive Order 13985 on Advancing 
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 
Federal Government (January 25, 2021) (E.O. 13985), the U.S. Department 
of Commerce Equity Action Plan, and the Global Diversity Export 
Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. For the purposes of the 
trade mission, ITA adopts the definition of ``underserved communities'' 
in E.O. 13985: ``populations sharing a particular characteristic, as 
well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a 
full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and 
civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of 
`equity.' '' ``Equity'' is defined by E.O. 13985 as ``the consistent 
and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, 
including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have 
been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and 
Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and 
other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, 
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with 
disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise 
adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.'' This trade 
mission is also designed to be responsive to the priorities stated by 
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and outlined in the Equity Action 
Plan released in April 2022 which includes ``[s]trengthen[ing] small 
businesses in underserved communities by helping them be successful 
exporters''.
    The goals of the Education Trade Mission to South India are:
     (1) Gain market exposure and introduce participants to the vibrant 
South India market. U.S. educational institutions will find potential 
partners in Bengaluru and four secondary markets--Mangaluru, Manipal, 
Kochi and Coimbatore--covering three Indian states in South India.
     (2) Assess current and future business prospects by establishing 
valuable contacts with prospective study-abroad consultants, potential 
students, and educational institutions.
     (3) Develop market knowledge and relationships leading to 
effective student recruitment, strategies, and potential partnerships.
    During the mission, the delegation will be guided by Commercial 
Service officers, commercial specialists, and EducationUSA advisors at 
each stop. Trade mission participants who are already doing business in 
India will have the opportunity to further advance their business 
relationships and explore new opportunities.
    Participation in the mission will include the following:
     Pre-travel briefings;
     Market briefings by U.S. Consulate, Local Government 
officials and industry leaders;
     Pre-scheduled meetings with university heads/counselors, 
educational consultants;
     Student fairs in Bengaluru, Mangaluru, Manipal, Kochi, and 
Coimbatore;
     Airport transfers and ground transportation in these 
cities; and
     University visits in all five stops.
    The final schedule will depend on the specific goals and objectives 
of the mission participants.

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
February 11.......................  Travel Day/Arrival in Bengaluru.
February 12.......................   Briefings.
                                     One-on-one matchmaking
                                     meetings.
                                     Student fair.
February 13.......................   Half day visit to a
                                     university for institutional
                                     collaboration and meet with
                                     students interested in studying in
                                     the U.S.
                                     Late afternoon departure
                                     for Mangaluru by air.
                                     Remain overnight in
                                     Mangaluru.
February 14.......................   Morning visit to Manipal
                                     Academy of Higher Education
                                     (located near Mangaluru) by bus.
                                     Prescheduled meetings with
                                     institutional leadership.
                                     Student fair.
                                     Return to Mangaluru.
February 15.......................   Market briefings.
                                     Visit to HEIs for one-on-
                                     one meetings and meet with students
                                     interested in studying in the U.S.
                                     Late afternoon depart for
                                     Kochi by air.
February 16.......................   Market briefings.
                                     Student fair in Kochi.
February 17.......................   Visit to HEIs for one-on-
                                     one meetings and meet with students
                                     interested in studying in the U.S.

[[Page 66814]]

 
February 18.......................   Sunday--Travel Day. Depart
                                     Kochi for Coimbatore by bus. On the
                                     way stop at Palghat Indian
                                     Institute of Technology (TBD).
                                     Remain overnight in
                                     Coimbatore.
February 19.......................   Briefings.
Note: President's Day in the U.S..   One-on-one matchmaking
                                     meetings.
                                     Student fair.
February 20.......................   Visit to local HEIs for
                                     institutional partnerships and meet
                                     with students interested in
                                     studying in the U.S.
                                     End of Program.
                                     Depart Coimbatore at
                                     leisure (per delegate's individual
                                     travel itinerary).
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Education Trade Mission to South 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 18 and a maximum of 20 educational institutions, Study 
State Consortia, and/or other government education stakeholders (e.g., 
Governor's offices, state trade offices, economic development 
organizations, etc.) will be selected to participate in the mission 
from the applicant pool. The Trade Mission is open to U.S. HEIs that 
are new-to-market and educational institutions with existing business 
in India who are seeking to expand their market share.

Fees and Expenses

    After an educational institution, Study State Consortia, or other 
government education stakeholders (e.g., Governor's offices, state 
trade offices, economic development organizations, etc.) has been 
selected to participate in the trade mission, a payment to the 
Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required.
    The participation fee for the Education Trade Mission to South 
India will be $5,500 for public/private, non-profit institution or 
small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)*; and $7,000 for large, private 
for-profit institution. The fee for additional institution 
representative (large private for-profit institution or private/public 
non-profit institution or SME/trade organization) is $750. 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.
    The mission registration fee includes market briefings, lunch and 
coffee breaks during the conference and transportation associated to 
visit local HEIs, participation in student fairs, and U.S. Consulate 
Chennai officers' consultations.
    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. If a 
mission is canceled, no personal expenses paid in anticipation of a 
mission will be reimbursed. However, participation fees for a canceled 
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 each 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.
    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 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 
previously selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new 
virtual program.

Timeframe 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 on www.trade.gov, 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 December 15, 2023. The U.S. Department of Commerce will 
review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis 
until the maximum of 20 participants are selected. After, educational 
institutions 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

[[Page 66815]]

Pinki Thakker, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service--Kansas City, MO, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
[email protected], Tel: 816-266-3853
Carey Arun, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service--U.S. 
Consulate General, Chennai, [email protected]
Mala Venkat, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service--
U.S. Consulate General, Chennai, [email protected]

Gemal Brangman,
Director, Trade Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-21170 Filed 9-27-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P