[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80881-80885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22969]


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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.

    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 India, 
Singapore, and Hong Kong March 2-8, 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: Shirreef Loza, Trade Events Task 
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,

[[Page 80882]]

telephone (919) 695-6365 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#64370c0d16160101024a280b1e052410160500014a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0f3c8c9d2d2c5c5c68eeccfdac1e0d4d2c1c4c58ec7cfd6">[email protected]</span></a>.

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 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 fifty-one percent U.S. content by value.
    A trade association/organization applicant must certify to the 
above for every company it seeks to represent on the mission. In 
addition, each applicant must:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> Certify that it has identified any matter pending before 
any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
    <bullet> 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
    <bullet> 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 markets. The following 
criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
    <bullet> 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;
    <bullet> 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
    <bullet> 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 applicant will be notified of these exclusions. 
The Department of Commerce will evaluate applications and inform 
applicants of selection decisions on a rolling basis until the maximum 
number of participants has been selected.

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).

Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to India, 
Singapore, and Hong Kong--March 2-8, 2025

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) is 
organizing a Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to 
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong that will include the Export Markets 
Providing Opportunities for Women's Economic Rise (EMPOWER) Asia 
Business Conference in Bengaluru, India, Monday, March 3-Tuesday, March 
4, 2025. The mission is focused on expanding export opportunities for 
U.S. businesses that are founded, led, operated, or owned by members of 
underserved communities from industries with growing potential in 
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, but is open to all export-ready U.S. 
companies.
    All trade mission members will participate in the EMPOWER Asia 
Business Conference, which will also be open to U.S. companies not 
participating in the trade mission. On Monday, March 3, the EMPOWER 
Asia Business Conference will include country briefings, a networking 
lunch, afternoon workshops and one-on-one meetings with key service 
providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists, information 
and material on trade-related resources, and an evening networking 
reception. On Tuesday, March 4, the second day of business conference, 
participants will take apart in plenary session, break-out sessions, 
meeting with U.S. diplomats from the region, and workshops. On Tuesday 
afternoon, participants who elect India as one of their trade mission 
stops will engage in business-to-business (B2B) meetings in Bengaluru, 
India. Wednesday, March 5, will be a travel day for trade mission 
participants who elect trade mission stop(s) in Singapore (Thursday, 
March 6) and/or Hong Kong (Friday, March 7).
    Trade mission participants may apply to participate one, two, or 
three trade mission stops. Each trade mission stop will include one-on-
one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, 
distributors and joint-venture partners, and networking events.

[[Page 80883]]

    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. This mission is focused on expanding 
export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that are 
founded, led, operated, or owned by leaders from underserved 
communities with growing potential in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. 
The mission is horizontal, with various sectors represented, based on 
best prospects for U.S. companies in the region.
    Best prospect sectors *:

<bullet> Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and 
subsectors:
    [cir] cybersecurity
    [cir] smart city infrastructure and technology solutions
    [cir] artificial intelligence markets and cloud computing
<bullet> Finance and FinTech
<bullet> Healthcare & Biotechnology
<bullet> Clean Energy
<bullet> Environmental Technology
<bullet> Critical and Emerging Technologies
<bullet> Aerospace and Defense, and Space

    * Other sectors will not be excluded.
    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 members 
of underserved communities from industries with growing potential in 
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
    This mission is 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.''
    In line with the Biden-Harris Administration Executive Orders \1\ 
and the National Export Strategy chapter on bolstering export 
assistance for small businesses and underserved communities, the GDEI 
has increased awareness and participation of diverse companies in the 
export ecosystem. With almost 272,000 U.S. small and medium-sized 
businesses exporting, the limited number of companies from underserved 
communities participating in international trade is in stark contrast 
with the total universe of exporters. According to the most recent 
Census data (2021), from a sample of approximately 146,000 firms that 
export, 15 percent are women-owned; 6 percent are Hispanic-owned; 6 
percent are Veteran-owned; and 1 percent are Black or African American-
owned firms. The Department of Commerce, through events such as this 
mission seeks to continue to scale the next generation of innovation, 
maintain global competitiveness, and ensure that more diverse 
businesses benefit from harnessing the potential of exports. 
Additionally, based on the 2020-2021 Census Bureau Profile of U.S. 
Importing and Exporting Companies and the 2022 Annual Business Survey, 
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong were not in the top 10 export markets 
ranked for women-owned, Hispanic American-owned, and Native American-
owned small and medium sized-businesses, while India ranked as the 8th 
top export market for veteran-owned small and medium-sized businesses 
and the 10th top export market for Black or African American-owned 
small and medium-sized businesses and Singapore ranked as the 8th top 
market for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander-owned small and 
medium-sized businesses, indicating room for growth in the region. The 
EMPOWER Asia initiative surveying women-owned businesses also ranks 
India as a top 4 ``Desirable'' market. Survey participants also 
emphasized the need for specific knowledge while entering the Asian 
market, including e-commerce, financing, regulatory compliance, and 
supply chain resilience. This trade mission in conjunction with the 
EMPOWER Asia Business conference will help address an urgent demand to 
have region-specific training combined with networking, consultations, 
and exposure to new opportunities to unlock these key portals to the 
South Asia region.
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    \1\ 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.''
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    The Minority Business Development Agency finds that ``[ex]xporting 
creates a competitive advantage for all Minority Business Enterprises 
(MBEs), regardless of home country'' and ``significant engagement in 
international sales and trade, leads to stronger businesses, creates 
new jobs, and in the long-term, contributes to the sustainability of 
the commercial ecosystems necessary to create thriving communities.''
    Website: Please visit our official mission website for more 
information: https://events.trade.gov/TradeGov/GDEITradeMissiontoIndiaSingaporeandHongKong/.

Proposed Timetable

    This timetable allows for clients to take part in business 
matchmaking across the diverse Asian marketplace by offering scheduled 
business-to-business meetings in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This 
structure ensures that each post has set days for meetings that allow 
the clients to explore at least three of their best prospects for 
business. The final schedule will depend on the availability of host 
government and business officials, specific goals of mission 
participants, and ground transportation.

[[Page 80884]]



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Sunday, March 2, 2025.......................  Trade mission participants arrive in Bengaluru, India.
Monday, March 3, 2025.......................  Bengaluru:
                                              EMPOWER Asia Business Conference.
                                              Morning: Opening plenary, country briefings, and networking lunch
                                               with key service providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry
                                               specialists.
                                              Afternoon: Asia region Commercial Officer one-on-ones and
                                               workshops and panel discussions.
                                              Evening: Networking Reception.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025......................  Bengaluru:
                                              EMPOWER Asia Business Conference (con't):
                                              Morning: Plenary Session. Asia region Commercial Officer one-on-
                                               ones, workshops and panel discussions.
                                              Mid-day: Closing Session and Lunch.
                                              India Trade Mission Stop:
                                              Afternoon: Selected participants will participate in B2B meetings
                                               with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or
                                               joint-venture partners in India.
                                              Evening: Social/Cultural Activity.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025....................  Travel to Singapore and/or Hong Kong.
Thursday, March 6, 2025.....................  Singapore Trade Mission Stop:
                                                 <bullet> Country Briefings Singapore.
                                                 <bullet> B2B Meetings.
                                                 <bullet> Travel to Hong Kong, if elected as Trade Mission Stop.
                                              Hong Kong Trade Mission Stop:
                                                 <bullet> Rest Day.
Friday, March 7, 2025.......................  Hong Kong Trade Mission Stop:
                                                 <bullet> Country Briefings Hong Kong.
                                                 <bullet> B2B Meetings.
                                                 <bullet> Reception.
Saturday, March 8, 2025.....................  Optional Cultural Program in Hong Kong for Hong Kong Participants.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the GDEI Trade Mission 
to India, Singapore, and Hong Kong 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 
above. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 firms and/or trade 
associations will be selected to participate in the mission on a 
rolling basis. Mission stop participation will be limited as follows:
    India: 15.
    Singapore: 10.
    Hong Kong: 10.
    Additional delegates may be accepted based on available space. U.S. 
firms and/or trade associations already doing business in India, 
Singapore, and/or Hong Kong or seeking business in these markets for 
the first time may apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate 
on the trade mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the 
form of a participation fee is required. The fees are as follows:
    <bullet> The participation fee will be $3,500 for small or medium-
sized enterprises (SME) and $6,225 for large firms, which includes the 
EMPOWER Asia Business Conference in Bengaluru and one mission stop. 
Additional participants will be $1,000 per participant.
    <bullet> If a second stop/market is selected for B2B meetings, the 
total participation fee will be $5,000 for small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) and $8,750 for large firms. Additional participants 
will be $1,750 total per participant.
    <bullet> If all three stops/markets are selected for B2B meetings, 
the total participation fee will be $6,500 for small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) and $11,275 for large firms. Additional participants 
will be $2,500 total per participant.
    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 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

[[Page 80885]]

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 
Department of Commerce trade mission calendar (https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions) 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 December 4, 2024. The 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a rolling basis until the maximum number of 
participants has been selected. Applications received after December 4, 
2024, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints 
permit.

Contacts

U.S. Contact Information

Nicolas Cervantes, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Harrisburg, PA, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4907202a2625283a670a2c3b3f28273d2c3a093d3b282d2c672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="410f28222e2d20326f02243337202f3524320135332025246f262e37">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 717-678-5275

India Contact Information

Carey Arun, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service 
India--Bengaluru <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44072536213d6a0536312a0430362520216a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c5f7d6e7965325d6e69725c686e7d7879327b736a">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: +91-44-2857-4477, Anastasia 
Mukherjee, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service India--New 
Delhi, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25644b44565144564c440b68504e4d40574f40406551574441400b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de9fb0bfadaabfadb7bff093abb5b6bbacb4bbbb9eaaacbfbabbf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: +91-11-2347-2000

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-22969 Filed 10-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P


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