[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 111 (Friday, June 7, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48552-48554]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12508]


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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: 
Southeast Europe Energy-Transition and Energy Security Business 
Development Trade Mission to Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. 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 this 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, Trade Events 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 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 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 to the 
above for all of the companies 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 the 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 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.
    Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).
    Southeast Europe Energy-Transition and Energy Security Business 
Development Trade Mission to Bulgaria,

[[Page 48553]]

Romania, and Serbia, March 17-21, 2025

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Southeast Europe Energy-
Transition and Energy Security Business Development Trade Mission to 
Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia. This mission will introduce U.S. 
companies and organizations to potential partners in dynamic 
Southeastern Europe, where governments are investing in clean-energy 
technologies as a path toward climate neutrality and energy security 
and independence. Participating firms will have the opportunity to 
learn about market conditions and trends, establish industry contacts 
and solidify market-entry or expansion strategies, with the underlying 
goal of increasing U.S. exports of innovative, advanced and clean-tech 
goods and services to the region.
    Every market will offer a targeted program of customized business 
appointments, meetings with industry leaders and government officials 
and networking. Delegates will benefit from the guidance and insights 
of ITA's Commercial Service teams working in these markets.
    U.S. companies and organizations will participate in networking 
events with key government and private-sector stakeholders hosted by 
the U.S. Embassy. They will also participate in pre-arranged meetings 
with pre-screened business and government representatives to discuss 
upcoming market opportunities. They will have the opportunity to learn 
about the Bulgarian market from Commerce Department and other U.S. 
government agency experts during a country briefing.

                           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.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, March 16, 2025;         Trade Mission Participants
 Sofia, Bulgaria.               Arrive Sofia, Bulgaria.
                                Afternoon orientation by CS
                                Bulgaria team.
Monday, March 17, 2025;         Welcome breakfast.
 Sofia, Bulgaria.               Country Briefing by U.S. Embassy
                                Sofia team.
                                Customized business meetings
                                with potential buyers/partners and
                                government decision makers.
                                Closing reception with
                                government and business contacts.
Tuesday, March 18, 2025;        Morning flight to Bucharest,
 Sofia, Bulgaria to             Romania.
 Bucharest, Romania..           Country Briefing by U.S. Embassy
                                Bucharest team.
                                Welcome Reception.
Wednesday, March 19, 2025;      Customized business meetings
 Bucharest, Romania..           with potential buyers/partners and
                                government decision makers.
                                Closing reception with
                                government and business contacts.
Thursday, March 20, 2025;       Morning flight to Belgrade,
 Bucharest, Romania to          Serbia.
 Belgrade, Serbia.              Welcome Lunch.
Friday, March 21, 2025;         Customized business meetings
 Belgrade, Serbia.              potential buyers/partners and government
                                decision makers
                                Closing reception.
                                Departure.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must 
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the 
Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their 
ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection 
criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and a 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 
in the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the Business 
Development Mission will be $4,925.00 for small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME)1; and $6,950.00 for large firms or trade 
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $2,300.00. 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 in 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 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 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

[[Page 48554]]

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 (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 February 10, 2025. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after 
February 10, 2025, will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Hannah Kamenetsky, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria, +359 2 939 5745, 
[email protected]
Emily Taneva, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. 
Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria, +359 2 929 5770, [email protected]
Laura Gimenez, Acting Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, U.S. Embassy Bucharest, Romania, [email protected], +40 
725 983 961
Monica Bogodai, Budget Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, U.S. 
Embassy Bucharest, Romania, [email protected], +40 21 200 3371
Rachel Duran, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia, [email protected], +381 117 064 072
Boris Popov, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
U.S. Embassy Belgrade, Serbia, [email protected], +381 11 306 4752

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-12508 Filed 6-6-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P