[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55917-55920]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14931]


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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: 
Genomic and Genetic Technologies Trade Mission to Greece, T[uuml]rkiye, 
and Italy on May 19-23, 2025. 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

[[Page 55918]]

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 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.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms 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 products or services to 
these markets;
     The applicant's potential for business in the markets, 
including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and
     Consistency of the applicant'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).

Genomic and Genetic Technologies Trade Mission to Greece, T[uuml]rkiye, 
and Italy on May 19-23, 2025

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Genomic and Genetic Technologies 
Trade Mission to Greece, T[uuml]rkiye, and Italy on May 19-23, 2025.
    The mission is open to U.S. firms working on genomic and genetic 
technologies. Examples of participant companies include those engaged 
in products for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) R&D and test kit 
development, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Whole Exome Sequencing 
(WES), Bioinformatics, Molecular Cytogenetics, Molecular Genetics, 
Cancer Genetics, Pharmacogenetics, Rare Diseases, Pre-natal Genetic 
Disorders, and Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) for in Vitro 
Fertilization.
    Participation in the Genomic and Genetic Technologies Trade Mission 
to Greece, T[uuml]rkiye and Italy will provide participating U.S. firms 
with the opportunity to better understand the market for their 
products, visit leading research institutes and genetics labs, network 
with key industry people, and identify local partners.

Mission Scenario

    The mission fee will include market briefings, B2B meetings, 
Ministries of Health meetings, site visits (* Subject to confirmation) 
to research institutes or genetic labs, receptions with industry 
contacts and hosted luncheons in each market with keynote industry 
speakers.
    Delegation participants will arrive in Athens, Greece on Sunday, 
May 18, 2025. The mission will officially start on Monday, May 19. The 
day will include a market briefing on the genomic and genetic 
technologies market in Greece followed by B2B meetings. The schedule 
will likely include a B2G meeting with the Ministry of Health. There 
will be a hosted luncheon with a keynote industry speaker and an 
evening reception with industry contacts.
    On Tuesday, May 20, the delegation will fly to Istanbul, 
T[uuml]rkiye. Before a reception with key industry players at the 
Consul General's Residence, CS Istanbul staff will deliver a market 
briefing to the participants at the same venue. On Wednesday, May 21, 
U.S. companies will have B2B meetings with potential business partners, 
visit an industry site, and attend a hosted luncheon with a keynote 
industry speaker. Participants will depart Istanbul for Milan, Italy on 
an evening flight.
    On Thursday, May 22, participants will attend a market briefing 
followed by B2B meetings. In the evening, participants will attend a 
reception with industry contacts. On Friday, May 23, U.S. firms will 
participate in a site visit and attend a hosted luncheon with a keynote 
industry speaker.
    Participants interested in attending the European Human Genomics 
Conference (separate fee), taking place May 24-27, may opt to stay in 
Milan. Otherwise, participants will depart Milan on Saturday, May 24.

                           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, May 18, 2025.........   Trade Mission Participants in
                                Athens, Greece.
Monday, May 19, 2025.........   Athens, Greece.
                                  [cir] Morning: Market Briefing.
                                  [cir] Morning: B2B Meetings.
                                  [cir] Lunch: Hosted lunch with a
                                   keynote industry speaker.
                                  [cir] Afternoon: Visit to Ministry of
                                   Health or Greek Industry Institution.
                                  [cir] Evening: Small Reception
                                   (maximum 50 participants).
Tuesday, May 20, 2025........   En route to Istanbul,
                                T[uuml]rkiye.

[[Page 55919]]

 
                                  [cir] Early morning: Flight to
                                   Istanbul, T[uuml]rkiye.
                                  [cir] Afternoon: Market Briefing.
                                  [cir] Evening: Small Reception
                                   (maximum 50 participants).
Wednesday, May 21, 2025......   Istanbul, T[uuml]rkiye and En
                                route to Milan, Italy.
                                  [cir] Morning: B2B Meetings.
                                  [cir] Lunch: Hosted lunch with a
                                   keynote industry speaker.
                                  [cir] Afternoon: Site visit.
                                  [cir] Evening: Flight to Milan, Italy.
Thursday, May 22, 2025.......   Milan, Italy.
                                  [cir] Morning: Market Briefing.
                                  [cir] Morning: B2B Meetings--Session
                                   #1.
                                  [cir] Lunch: Networking Lunch.
                                  [cir] Afternoon: B2B Meetings--Session
                                   #2.
                                  [cir] Evening: Small Reception
                                   (maximum 50 participants).
Friday, May 23, 2025.........   Milan, Italy.
                                  [cir] Morning: Site visit.
                                  [cir] Lunch: Hosted lunch with a
                                   keynote industry speaker.
                                  [cir] End of Trade Mission.
Saturday, May 24, 2025.......   Option #1: Departure from Milan,
                                Italy.
                                Option #2: Participate in the
                                European Human Genomics Conference in
                                Milan, Italy--registration is the
                                responsibility of the U.S. firm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 will be selected to participate 
in the mission from the applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm 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 Genomic and Genetic 
Technologies Trade Mission to Greece, T[uuml]rkiye and Italy will be 
$4,400 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME); and $6,500 for 
large firms. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will 
be the responsibility of each mission participant. Interpreter and 
driving services can be arranged at an additional cost. Delegation 
members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel 
rooms.
    There will be a $750 fee for each additional firm representative 
(large firm or SME) that wishes to participate in.
    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 above 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 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 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.

Timeline 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.

[[Page 55920]]

Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than January 31, 2025. The U.S. Department of Commerce will 
review applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a 
rolling basis. Applications received after January 31, 2025, will be 
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Michelle Ouellette (U.S. based Recruitment Lead), Senior International 
Trade Specialist, Boston U.S. Export Assistance Center, + 1 (617) 565-
4302, [email protected]
Cindy Ma, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service--San Jose, CA, +1 (510) 368-0765, [email protected]
Monica Toporkiewicz, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. 
Commercial Service--Chicago, IL, +1 312-353-8059, 
[email protected]

Gemal Brangman,
Director, Global Trade Programs.
[FR Doc. 2024-14931 Filed 7-5-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P