[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 117 (Monday, June 17, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51307-51310]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-13300]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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: 
Design and Construction Business Development Mission to Hong Kong, 
Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City--October 28--November 1, 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 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,

[[Page 51308]]

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).

Design and Construction Business Development Mission to Hong Kong, 
Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City--October 28-November 1, 2024

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Design & Construction Business 
Development Mission (D&C BDM) to Hong Kong, Taipei and Ho Chi Minh from 
October 28 through November 1, 2024. The objective of this mission is 
to advance U.S. national interests and focus on meeting demand for U.S. 
design and construction solutions for East and Southeast Asian markets.
    The business development mission will bring 10-15 U.S. companies to 
Hong Kong, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City to meet with officials and 
potential buyers. The business development mission will focus on design 
and construction industry subsectors including safety; sustainable 
materials; retrofitting and refurbishment; construction robotics; 
automation; digitalization; modular integrated construction (MiC); 
recycling; sustainable design and materials; and environmental and 
green building technologies. Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Vietnam have 
commitments to reach carbon neutrality by 2050 and experience shortages 
of construction workers, causing delays, accidents, and cost inflation.
    ITA will organize a tailored program for U.S. companies exploring 
opportunities in all three markets and will leverage our strong 
connections with local partners to lead discussions on trade, 
financing, and technical aspects of doing business in these three Asian 
markets.
    Mission participants will develop business prospects through ITA-
hosted networking events, vetted business-to-business matchmaking 
meetings, roundtable discussions with U.S. and foreign government and 
industry leaders, product presentations, and site visits.
    Mission participants will receive assistance to secure meetings, 
gain greater exposure to Asian markets, and benefit from the guidance 
and insights of ITA's commercial teams.

[[Page 51309]]



                           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, October 27, 2024;       Trade Mission Participants
 Hong Kong.                     Arrive in Hong Kong.
Monday, October 28, 2024;       U.S. Consulate Market Briefing.
 Hong Kong.                     Meetings with the Hong Kong
                                Green Building Council, the Business
                                Environment Council, the Construction
                                Industry Council, the American Institute
                                of Architects, the Urban Land Institute.
                                Evening Reception.
Tuesday, October 29, 2024;      One-on-one business matchmaking.
 Hong Kong.                     Site visit to a construction
                                project
                               . Travel to Taipei, Taiwan
Wednesday, October 30, 2024;    Country briefing at the American
 Taipei.                        Institute in Taiwan.
                                Meetings with the National
                                Association of Architects, Architecture
                                Association of the R.O.C., and The
                                American Society of Heating,
                                Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning
                                Engineers (ASHRAE).
                                Evening Reception.
Thursday, October 31, 2024;     One-on-one business matchmaking.
 Taipei.                        Site visit to a construction
                                project.
                                Travel to Ho Chi Minh City,
                                Vietnam.
Friday, November 1, 2024; Ho    U.S. Consulate Country Briefing.
 Chi Minh City.                 Meeting with American Chamber of
                                Commerce, Vietnam Green Building
                                Council, Vietnam Association of
                                Construction, Ho Chi Minh Real Estate
                                Association, Saigon Construction and
                                Building Material Association.
                                One on one business matchmaking.
                                Evening Networking Reception.
                                End of Mission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 $3,800.00 for small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME)1; and $5,500.00 for large firms or trade 
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large 
firm or SME/trade organization) is $1000.00. 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 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.

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/

[[Page 51310]]

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

Contacts

Geoffrey Parish, Chief Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, 
Hong Kong, Tel: +852 2521 5752, Email: [email protected]
Michael Wajntal, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Hong 
Kong, Tel: +852 2521 3721, Email: [email protected]
Joyce Tang, Commercial Specialist, U.S. American Institute, Taiwan, 
Email: [email protected]
Nga Hoang, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, Vietnam, 
Email: [email protected]
Frantz Eyssallenne, Trade Specialist, Dallas, TX, Tel: 469-424-7212, 
Email: [email protected]
Ho Eun Kim, Trade Specialist, Chicago, IL, Tel: 312-353-8040, Email: 
[email protected].

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-13300 Filed 6-14-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P