[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 46 (Thursday, March 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16540-16544]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04867]


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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) Trade Mission to Saudi 
Arabia--December 8-9, 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, Global Trade Programs, 
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 51% 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

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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.

Definition of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise

    For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant is a 
small and 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.
    Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Saudi 
Arabia--December 8-9, 2024

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export 
Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia from December 8-9, 
2024.
    This mission is focused on expanding export opportunities to U.S. 
small and medium-sized businesses that are founded, led, operated, or 
owned by women, from industries with growing potential in Saudi Arabia, 
but is open to all export-ready U.S. companies. The mission is 
horizontal, with various sectors represented, based on best prospects 
for U.S. companies in Saudi Arabia. Best prospect sectors are 
Education/Vocational Training; Healthcare; Information and 
Communication Technology (e.g., e-commerce, HealthTech, financial 
technology and AI); Infrastructure (e.g., project management and 
architecture); Aerospace; Consumer Goods (e.g., beauty and wellness); 
Defense and Security; Oil, Gas and Petrochemicals; Renewable Energy; 
Transportation and Logistics; Travel, Tourism and Entertainment; Waste 
Management and Water.
    Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready 
U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations and 
other exporting organizations that meet the established criteria for 
participation in the mission. In keeping with the U.S. Department of 
Commerce's Equity Action Plan, ITA seeks to improve outreach to and 
representation of businesses with owners and/or leaders from 
underserved communities, including through the Global Diversity Export 
Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. This mission will expand 
access to export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized 
businesses, including those founded, led, operated, or owned by women 
from industries with growing potential in Saudi Arabia.
    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), Executive Order 
14091 on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities Through the Federal Government (February 22, 2022) (E.O. 
14091), Executive Order 14020 on the Establishment of the White House 
Gender Policy Council (March 11, 2021) (E.O. 14020), 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. 14020, incorporated into E.O. 
14091: ``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 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 women and girls; 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 aspires to ``harness the talents and 
strengths of all parts of the country, including women, people of 
color, and others who are too often left behind'' including by 
``[s]trengthen[ing] small businesses in underserved communities by 
helping them be successful exporters''.
    Women own 12 million businesses in the United States, employing 
more than 10 million workers. According to the U.S. Small Business 
Administration's Office of Advocacy (citing the 2018 Census Bureau's 
Annual Business Survey, latest data available), women-owned businesses 
contributed $2.1 trillion in total sales to the U.S. economy and $388 
billion in annual payroll. The 2020 Census Bureau's Annual Business 
Survey included top sectors for women-owned employer firms: (1) 
healthcare and social assistance at approximately 216,000 women-owned 
employer firms; (2) professional, scientific and technical services at 
approximately 207,000 women-owned employer firms, and (3) retail trade 
at approximately 137,000 women-owned employer firms.
    Despite these promising statistics, women-owned businesses face 
unique obstacles in accessing overseas markets, including difficulty 
obtaining financing and lack knowledge about export opportunities. 
According to the most recent Census data (2021), from a sample of 
approximately 146,000 firms that export, 15% are women-owned. This 
mission is designed to assist U.S. small and medium-sized business that 
are founded, led, operated, or owned by women to find partners and 
begin or expand their exports in Saudi Arabia, however recruitment and 
consideration will be extended to all export-ready U.S. companies, 
including small businesses, trade associations and other exporting 
organizations that meet the established criteria for participation in 
the mission.
    On Sunday, December 8th, trade mission participants will attend a 
trade mission briefing, business-to-business

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(B2B) appointments, and a networking reception. On Monday, December 
9th, participants will engage in a networking breakfast, B2B 
appointments, and networking lunch with key service providers and U.S. 
diplomats and/or industry specialists, to obtain information and 
material on trade-related resources. On Tuesday, December 10th, 
selected participants will join the optional stop in Jeddah to 
participate in B2B meetings with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, 
distributors, or joint-venture partners. On Wednesday, December 11th, 
selected participants will join the optional stop in Dhahran to 
participate in B2B meetings with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, 
distributors, or joint-venture partners.
    The combination of B2B matchmaking opportunities in Riyadh, Jeddah, 
and Dhahran will provide participants with substantive information on 
strategies for entering or expanding their business in Saudi Arabia, 
key contacts with Commercial Service officers and local staff, and 
networking opportunities to build vital business relationships.

Commercial Setting

    The United States and Saudi Arabia share common interests in 
strengthening economic growth, prosperity, and competitiveness in the 
Middle East. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 economic diversification 
initiatives are generating opportunities for U.S. companies across 
industry sectors. Today, the $54 billion U.S.-Saudi Arabia trade and 
investment relationship creates thousands of jobs in both countries. In 
2020, U.S. goods exports to Saudi Arabia exceeded $10.9 billion, and 
U.S. imports were just over $9 billion according to the U.S. Census 
Bureau. U.S. services exports were $10.3 billion, and imports were $1.2 
billion. According to the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic 
Analysis, U.S. foreign direct investment (FDI) in Saudi Arabia 
increased from $11.1 million in 2019 to $11.4 million in 2020. Saudi 
Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf region with a population of 
over 35 million, and the largest economy in the Arab World with a GDP 
of $832.4 billion as of December 31, 2021. Saudi Arabia has made strong 
commitments to supporting women and women-owned business. As part of 
Vision 2030's Human Capability Development Program and National 
Transformation Program, women's empowerment is a top priority of social 
reform. Greater access to education and jobs is making the Kingdom a 
more inclusive society.
    Vision 2030 was the first phase in a long-term strategy. Broadly, 
the Vision 2030 goal was setting the foundation for building non-oil 
economy composed of three general objectives (1) Catalyzing investment 
in emerging and high growth sectors (2) Unlocking local factors of 
production--including Saudis nationals in the economy (3) Creating an 
attractive environment for foreign direct investment.
    As we get close to the midway point of Vision 2030, Saudis will 
start talking about Vision 2040, the next 10-year plan, which will 
focus on solidifying and scaling up gains from Vision 2030 in a 
sustainable way. The key factors will be developing economic 
productivity and competitiveness through upskilling, scaling up 
investments in key sectors and developing SMEs in the economy and 
building sustainability throughout.

Country Information

Why Saudi Arabia

    Key reasons why U.S. companies should consider exporting to Saudi 
Arabia:
    1. Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 is a paradigm shift from a public 
sector-driven economy to one the state intends will be driven by the 
private sector as the main engine for economic growth and job creation.
    2. Vision 2030 has created opportunities for U.S. companies across 
all industry sectors--particularly ICT, renewable energy, financial 
services, aerospace, transportation and logistics, healthcare, 
education and vocational training, infrastructure, entertainment, and 
tourism--including through the giga-projects (NEOM, Qiddiya, Amaala, 
Red Sea, and Diriyah Gate).
    3. Saudi Arabia aims to become a major transport and logistics hub 
linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.
    4. Consumer attitudes and brand preferences are like those in the 
United States. U.S. goods and services enjoy a reputation for high 
quality and durability in the country.
    5. This sweeping range of reforms has expanded women's rights and 
economic empowerment, reformed the education system, sharply reduced 
the influence of the religious establishment, and tightened 
restrictions on extremist or intolerant religious messaging. Women can 
now drive, work, and travel independently, and they increasingly hold 
senior positions in the public and private sectors.
    6. Female workforce participation has risen from 17.4 percent in 
2017 to 37 percent today--a higher rate than in T[uuml]rkiye, an OECD 
country. The first female Saudi astronaut embarked on a commercial 
mission to the International Space Station in May--a remarkable feat in 
a country where women were not allowed to drive a car just five years 
ago.

Other Products and Services

    Best prospect sectors for U.S. companies in Saudi Arabia are not 
intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative of the many opportunities 
available to U.S. businesses. Applications from firms 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. Firms whose products or services do not fit the mission's 
scope 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. Firms may call 1-800-872-
8723, or go to https://www.trade.gov/contact-us to obtain such 
information. This information also may be found on the website: https://www.trade.gov/.

Mission Goals

    Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready 
U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations and 
other exporting organizations that meet the established criteria for 
participation in the mission. The goal of the mission is to help 
participating U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that are founded, 
led, operated, or owned by women, find potential business 
opportunities, partners, buyers, agents, distributors, and joint 
venture partners in Saudi Arabia, laying the foundation for successful 
long-term ventures to take advantage of market opportunities in Saudi 
Arabia. During the mission, the delegation will have access to U.S. and 
Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) officers and specialists from Saudi 
Arabia. They will learn about the many business opportunities in Saudi 
Arabia and gain first-hand market exposure. Trade mission participants 
already doing business in Saudi Arabia will be able to further advance 
business relationships and explore new opportunities.

Mission Scenario & Timetable

    The mission fee will include country market briefings, logistics 
support, B2B appointments with pre-screened potential business partners 
in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with two optional stops in Jeddah and Dhahran, 
Saudi Arabia.
    On Sunday, December 8th, trade mission participants will attend a 
trade mission briefing, B2B appointments, and a networking reception. 
On

[[Page 16543]]

Monday, December 9th, participants will engage in a networking 
breakfast, B2B appointments, and networking lunch with key service 
providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists, to provide 
information and material on trade-related resources. On Tuesday, 
December 10th, selected participants will join the optional stop in 
Jeddah to participate in B2B meetings with pre-screened potential 
buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners. On Wednesday, 
December 11th, selected participants will join the optional stop in 
Dhahran to participate in B2B meetings with pre-screened potential 
buyers, agents, distributors, or joint-venture partners.

    * 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.


------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 7, 2024......................  Travel Day/Arrival in Riyadh,
                                         Saudi Arabia.
December 8, 2024......................  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
                                        Morning: Trade Mission Briefing
                                         Afternoon: B2B Meetings
                                        Evening: Networking Reception.
December 9, 2024......................  Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
                                        Morning: Networking Breakfast
                                        Afternoon: Networking Lunch and
                                         B2B Meetings.
December 10, 2024.....................  Optional Stop: Travel to Jeddah.
                                         B2B Meetings in Jeddah, Saudi
                                         Arabia.
December 11, 2024.....................  Optional Stop: Travel to Dhahran
                                         B2B Meetings in Dhahran, Saudi
                                         Arabia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce GDEI Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia must complete and submit an 
application package for consideration by the U.S. 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 20 and a maximum of 30 firms and/or trade 
associations will be selected to participate in the mission on a first 
come, first served basis.During the registration process, applicants 
will be able to select the cities for which they would like to receive 
a brief market assessment.Upon receipt of market assessment reports, 
they will be able to select up to two optional stops for B2B meetings.
    All selected participants will attend the core mission stop in 
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and will have the opportunity for B2B meetings in 
Jeddah and/or Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as an optional stop.
    The maximum number of firms that may be selected for B2B meetings 
in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia as an optional stop is 10 companies.
    The maximum number of firms that may be selected for B2B meetings 
in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia as an optional stop is 10 companies.
    The trade mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business in 
Saudi Arabia who are seeking to expand their market share and to those 
U.S. firms new to these markets.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association is selected to participate on the 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a 
participation fee is required. Up to two cities can be selected for B2B 
meetings.
    The fees are as follow:
    The mission participation fee for mission stop in Riyadh, Saudi 
Arabia, will be $1,995 for a small or medium-sized enterprises (SME) 
[1] and $2,906 for large firms.
    The mission participation fee for the optional mission stop in 
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia is $1,499 for a small or medium-sized enterprise 
(SME) [1] and $2,055 for large firms.
    The mission participation fee for the optional mission stop in 
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia is $1,499 for a small or medium-sized enterprise 
(SME) [1] and $2,055 for large firms.
    The fee for additional small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) [1] 
or large firm representative is $750.
    If and when an applicant is selected to participate in a particular 
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the 
designated participation fee above is required. Upon notification of 
acceptance, those selected have five 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 the 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 U.S. 
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 any 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.
    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 
previous selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new 
virtual program.

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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, the Global 
Diversity Export Initiative web page at https://www.trade.gov/global-diversity-export-initiative-events, 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. The Commerce Department may also work with the U.S. Small 
Business Administration and the Organization of Women in International 
Trade to promote the mission. Recruitment for the mission will begin 
immediately and conclude no later than Friday, September 06, 2024. 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 Friday, September 06, 2024, companies will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

U.S. Global Diversity Export Initiative Contact Information, Gabriela 
Zelaya, Acting Director/Global Diversity Export Initiative, U.S. 
Commercial Service San Jose, CA, Email: [email protected], Tel: 
(408) 335-9202
Middle East & Africa Global Team Contact Information, Larry Tabash, 
Global Team Leader, Middle East & Africa Team, U.S. Commercial Service 
Austin, TX, [email protected], Tel: (512) 936-0039
Commercial Service Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Contact Information, Andrew 
Billard, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Saudi Arabia, Email: 
[email protected],
Carla Men[eacute]ndez, Deputy Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy 
Saudi Arabia, Email: [email protected]

Gemal Brangman,
Director, Global Trade Programs.
[FR Doc. 2024-04867 Filed 3-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P