[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 225 (Friday, November 24, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 82318-82320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25958]


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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: 
Asia Tech x Singapore 2024--ICT Business Development Mission to 
Singapore--May 27-30, 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 that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce 
to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives 
an incomplete application, the Department of Commerce 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 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 fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a 
trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for 
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/
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 by value.
    A trade association/organization applicant must certify and agree 
to the above for every company 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 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 the Mission

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers 
and trade associations/organizations 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 a trade 
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) 
products or services to these markets;
     The applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/
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 a trade 
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) 
goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission. Balance of 
company 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).

Asia Tech x Singapore 2024--ICT Business Development Mission to 
Singapore--May 27-30, 2024

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an ICT Business Development Mission 
to Singapore from May 27-May 30, 2024. This mission will be run in 
conjunction with the Asia Tech x Singapore 2024 (ATxSG 2024) trade show 
and forum whose dates are from May 29-May 31, 2024.
    The purpose of the mission is to expand opportunities for U.S. 
companies in Singapore and the

[[Page 82319]]

Southeast Asian region at the intersection of telecommunications 
services, 5G, SaaS applications, cybersecurity and the digital economy. 
This mission will also be part of delivering and advancing U.S. 
technology, standards and commercial interests in this vital region of 
the world.
    The objective is to identify, where appropriate and in line with 
U.S. policy objectives, trade promotion opportunities that will help 
cement U.S. technology organizations as global leaders in this rapid-
growth industry, while also creating new commercial opportunities and 
encouraging strong regulation and supervision worldwide.
    The mission is designed for U.S. firms and organizations who play a 
part in the technology industry, especially those with products in the 
following categories: Telecommunications & 5G
 Cybersecurity
 Artificial Intelligence
 Digital Economy
 Smart Cities Technology Applications

    This list is not intended to be exhaustive of all opportunities but 
shows best prospect sectors. Applications from companies selling 
products or services within the scope of this mission, but not 
specifically identified, will be considered, and evaluated by the 
International Trade Administration on a case-by-case basis.

Other Products and Services

    The foregoing analysis of the technology opportunities in Singapore 
is not intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative of the many 
opportunities available to U.S. businesses. Applications from companies 
selling products or services within the scope of this mission, but not 
specifically identified, will be considered and evaluated by the U.S. 
Department of Commerce. Companies whose products or services do not fit 
the scope of the mission may contact their local U.S. Export Assistance 
Center (USEAC) to learn about other business development missions and 
services that may provide more targeted export opportunities. Companies 
may go to https://trade.gov to obtain such information.

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
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Sunday, May 26, 2024..............   Arrive in Singapore.
Monday May 27, 2024...............   Official Trade Mission
                                     programming begins.
                                     Welcome Remarks &
                                     Introductions.
                                     Embassy Briefing.
                                     B2B Meetings.
Tuesday May 28, 2024..............   Site visit to Singaporean
                                     companies looking to do business
                                     with U.S. companies.
                                     Capability assessment of
                                     what U.S. technology firms can
                                     provide.
                                     Evening reception at an
                                     Official Residence.
Wednesday May 29, 2024............   ATxSG 2024 trade show
                                     participation.
                                     On-site showtime business-
                                     to-government and business-to-
                                     business meeting program.
Thursday May 30, 2024.............   ATxSG 2024 trade show
                                     participation.
                                     On-site showtime business-
                                     to-government and business-to-
                                     business meeting program.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 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 ATxSG 
2024 Trade Mission to Singapore will be $3,200 for small or medium-
sized enterprises (SME),\1\ and $4,500 for large firms or trade 
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $1,000. 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. 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.
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    \1\ 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.
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    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/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any question regarding 
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and

[[Page 82320]]

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.

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 as a ``small 
business'' 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.

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 (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 January 31, 2024. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after 
January 31, 2024, will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Project Lead

Andrey Piroozgar, International Trade Specialist, Chicago, IL/U.S. 
Field, Email: [email protected].

Recruitment Lead

Molly Ho, Global Technology Team Leader, Denver, CO/U.S. Field, Email: 
[email protected].
Christian Koschil, Digital Attach[eacute], Singapore/CS Singapore, 
Email: [email protected].
Amelia Yeo, Commercial Specialist, Singapore/CS Singapore, Email: 
[email protected].

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-25958 Filed 11-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P