```

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 24 (Friday, February 6, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6267-6268]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2489]

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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Mission Statement; Commercial Service Trade Mission to Colombia; 
March 8-13, 2009

AGENCY: Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service are organizing a 
Trade Mission to Bogota, Cartagena, and Barranquilla, Colombia from 
March 8 to March 13, 2009.
    The mission will focus on helping U.S. companies launch or increase 
their export business in the Colombian market. The mission will help 
participating firms gain market information, make business and 
government contacts, solidify business strategies and advance specific 
projects, towards the goal of increasing U.S. exports to Colombia. The 
mission will include business-to-business matchmaking appointments with 
local companies, site visits and meetings with the Chambers of 
Commerce, including ColAmCham. The delegation will be comprised of U.S. 
firms representing a cross section of U.S. industries with growing 
potential in Colombia.

Commercial Setting

    Colombia is the fifth largest market for U.S. exports in Latin 
America and is ranked 29th as a market for U.S. exports globally. Since 
the election of President Alvaro Uribe in May 2002, Colombia has become 
one of the most stable economies in the region. Improved security and 
government policies, steady growth, moderate inflation and a wide range 
of opportunities combined with a relatively stable political 
environment make it an excellent market for U.S. exporters. In recent 
years, Colombia has demonstrated its commitment to furthering economic 
growth and to increasing trade between the United States and Colombia.
    The United States and Colombia signed the U.S.-Colombia Trade 
Promotion Agreement on November 22, 2006 and President Bush sent the 
implementing legislation to Congress on April 8, 2008. The Trade 
Promotion Agreement (TPA) will go into effect upon Congressional 
approval and once Colombia has taken the necessary steps to ensure 
implementation of its obligations. The TPA offers tremendous 
opportunities for exporters. When the Agreement enters into force, 80 
percent of U.S. consumer and industrial exports to Colombia will be 
duty-free immediately. The remaining tariffs will be phased out over 
the next 10 years. Colombia's increasingly democratic and transparent 
government and the impending Trade Promotion Agreement provide a solid 
foundation for U.S. businesses interested in exporting to Colombia.
    Industry sectors currently representing best prospects for U.S. 
exporters are listed below. U.S. firms in other sectors may also apply 
to take part in the mission.
     Oil and Gas Machinery and Services.
     Plastic Materials and Resins.
     Automotive Parts and Accessories.
     Computers and Components.
     Telecommunications Equipment and Services.
     Travel and Tourism.
     Construction and Mining Equipment.
     Air Cargo Services.
     Electrical Power Systems.
     Pollution Control Equipment.
     Safety and Security.
     Building Materials.
     Beverage Processing & Packaging Equipment.

Mission Goals

    The Commercial Service Trade Mission to Colombia will help U.S. 
firms initiate or expand their exports to Colombia by providing 
business-to-business introductions and market access information.

Mission Scenario

    The mission will stop in Bogota, Barranquilla and Cartagena. A 
special site visit Santa Marta and the Drummond Mine, Las Lomas, in 
Cesar is being arranged. At each stop, except for Santa Marta and Las 
Lomas, delegation members will participate in one-on-one business 
meetings with potential buyers, agents, distributors, and partners. 
Delegates will also attend briefings in Bogota by U.S. Embassy 
officials on business opportunities in Colombia and the pending U.S.-
Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. They will attend networking events 
with the U.S. Ambassador to Colombia in Bogota and the American Chamber 
of Commerce in Barranquilla. These events will offer additional 
opportunities to speak with local business and government 
representatives.

Proposed Mission Timetable

 
 
 
Sunday, March 8, 2009.............  Mission begins in Bogota, Colombia;
                                     Welcome briefing.
Monday, March 9, 2009.............  Market and Security briefing;
                                     Business matchmaking.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009...........  Opportunity for follow-up and/or
                                     site visits; Networking reception.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009.........  Transfer by plane to Cartagena,
                                     Colombia; Business matchmaking;
                                     Networking reception (TBC).
Thursday, March 12, 2009..........  Opportunity for follow-up and/or
                                     site visits; Departure to
                                     Barranquilla, Colombia (by bus).
Friday, March 13, 2009............  Business matchmaking; Networking
                                     luncheon; Departure to Santa Marta,
                                     Colombia (by bus); Overnight at
                                     Drummond Guest House.
Saturday, March 14, 2009..........  Travel to Las Lomas Mine; Briefing
                                     and tour of Las Lomas Mine; Return
                                     to Cartagena; Mission ends.
 

[[Page 6268]]

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Commercial Service 
Trade Mission to Colombia 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 6 and 
maximum of 11 companies with up to two participants per company will be 
selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. 
companies already doing business with Colombia, as well as U.S. 
companies seeking to enter the Colombian market for the first time may 
apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company 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 will be $2,500 for a small- or 
medium-sized enterprise (SME) \*\ and $3,250 for large firms. The fee 
for the additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is $450. 
This entitles the company to one appointment schedule. Expenses for 
travel to and from Colombia, airfare between Bogota and Cartagena, 
lodging, incidentals and most meals will be the responsibility of each 
mission participant. Bus transportation from Cartagena to Barranquilla 
is included in the above cost. Bus transportation to Santa Marta is not 
included in the cost and will be at the participant's expense. 
Participants have the option of returning to the United States from 
Barranquilla or, if they participate in the mine site visit, from 
Cartagena.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \*\ An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or 
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations 
(see http://www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and 
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The 
dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service's user fee schedule 
that became effective May 1, 2008 (for additional information see 
http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Conditions for Participation

     An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission 
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate 
information on the company's products and/or services, primary market 
objectives, and goals for participation. If the Department of Commerce 
receives an incomplete application, the Department may reject the 
application, request additional information, or take the lack of 
information into account when evaluating the applications.
     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, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm 
and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished 
product or service.
    Selection Criteria: Selection will be based on the following 
criteria:
     Suitability of the company's products or services to the 
Colombian market.
     Applicant's potential for business in Colombia, including 
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission.
    Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing 
references to partisan political activities (including political 
contributions) will be removed from an applicant's submission and not 
considered during the selection process.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner. 
Outreach will include posting on the Commerce Department trade mission 
calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet 
Web sites, 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. The International Trade Administration 
will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested 
organizations, including other U.S. Government agencies.
    The mission is open on a first come first served basis. Recruitment 
for the mission will begin immediately and close as soon as 10 
applicants have been selected and registered, and no later than 
February 16, 2009. Late applications will be considered only if space 
and scheduling constraints permit. Applications will be available from 
the New Orleans U.S. Export Assistance Center. They can also be 
obtained by contacting the mission contact listed below.

Contacts

    Brie Knox, New Orleans Export Assistance Center, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Tel: 504-589-6703, E-mail: [email protected].

Sean Timmins,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. E9-2489 Filed 2-5-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
```