[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2130-2137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-00220]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Announcement of Certain Approved 2022 International Trade 
Administration Trade Missions

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is announcing four upcoming trade missions that 
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. A summary of each 
mission is found below.

ADDRESSES: 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 each 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: Gemal Brangman, Trade Promotion 
Programs, Industry and Analysis, International Trade Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, 
DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-3773 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7b3c1e161a175539091a151c161a153b0f091a1f1e551c140d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fbbc9e969a97d5b9899a959c969a95bb8f899a9f9ed59c948d">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: These missions are:
    <bullet> Trade Mission to the UAE in Conjunction with Trade Winds 
Middle East & North Africa Business Forum--March 2-10, 2022.
    <bullet> Trade Mission to Central America in Conjunction with Trade 
Americas--Business Opportunities in Central America Conference--March 
27, 2022-April 1, 2022.
    <bullet> Minority-Business Focused Trade Mission (MBTM) to Italy, 
Spain, and Portugal--May 15-20, 2022.
    <bullet> Aerospace Trade Mission to India--June 21-24, 2022.

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for Each 
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 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 the 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 51% U.S. content by value. In the case of an organization, the 
applicant must certify that, for each entity to be represented by the 
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.

[[Page 2131]]

    An organization applicant must certify to the above for all of the 
companies it seeks to represent on the mission.
    In addition, each applicant must:
    <bullet> Certify that the export of products and services that it 
wishes to market through the mission is 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 Each Mission

    Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers 
and organizations (universities, research institutions, or financial 
services trade associations) 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:
    <bullet> Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of an 
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) products or 
services to these markets;
    <bullet> The applicant's (or in the case of an 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 an 
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) goals and 
objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
    With a view to maintaining balanced representation, the size and 
geographical location of applicants 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.

Trade Mission Participation Fees

    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 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 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/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/. Any question 
regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and 
its insurer of choice.

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 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.

Important Note About the Covid-19 Pandemic

    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. Mission participants are responsible for compliance 
with all COVID-19-related requirements related to travel to, within, 
and from trade mission destinations, including vaccinations, and, where 
appropriate, testing. In addition, mission locations and venues may 
have additional requirements, such as masking and/or social distancing.
    Mission List: (Additional information about each mission can be 
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).

Trade Mission to the UAE in Conjunction With Trade Winds Middle East & 
North Africa Business Forum

Dates: March 2-10, 2022

Summary

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) is 
organizing a trade mission to the United Arab Emirates that will 
include the Trade Winds Middle East & North Africa Business Forum in 
Dubai, UAE, Sunday, March 6-Tuesday, March 8.
    All trade mission members will participate in the Trade Winds 
Middle East & North Africa Business Forum (Sunday, March 6, Monday, 
March 7 and Tuesday, March 8) in Dubai, which will also be open to U.S. 
companies only wanting to attend the Forum. Trade

[[Page 2132]]

mission members may travel first to Algeria, Morocco, Qatar or Israel 
on March 2 for spins-offs and/or travel on Tuesday, March 8 to Saudi 
Arabia, Kuwait or Egypt.
    The Dubai Trade Winds event will be attended by Senior Commercial 
Officers and State Department Officers from Gulf and Arab Levant, North 
Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa markets.
    Trade mission participants may participate in their choice of 
mission stops based on recommendations from the USFCS. 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. Companies that would like to 
participate in more than 3 mission stops can do so by having additional 
representatives travel to the various stops.
    This mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of 
industries with growth potential in the Middle East and North Africa, 
including but not limited to: Information & communication technologies, 
design & construction, energy & environmental technologies, aerospace 
and defense, healthcare, franchising and consumer goods.

Proposed Timetable

    This timetable allows for clients to take part in business 
matchmaking across the diverse Middle East and North Africa marketplace 
by offering scheduled business-to-business meetings in the UAE, Egypt, 
Algeria, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait or Qatar. 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 2...........  Arrive in Qatar, Algeria, Morocco, or
                                Israel.
Thursday, March 3............  Select trade mission meetings in Algeria,
                                Morocco, Qatar or Israel and evening
                                networking receptions.
Friday, March 4..............  Depart mission stops and arrive in Dubai,
                                UAE.
Saturday, March 5............  Visit World Expo.
Sunday, March 6..............  Dubai: Trade Winds Middle East & North
                                Africa Business Forum Market Briefings,
                                consultations with U.S. government trade
                                representatives and networking with U.S.
                                and foreign government and business
                                officials.
Monday, March 7..............  Dubai: Trade Winds Middle East & North
                                Africa Business Forum Market Briefings,
                                consultations with U.S. government trade
                                representatives and networking with U.S.
                                and foreign government and business
                                officials.
Tuesday, March 8.............  Dubai: Trade Winds Middle East & North
                                Africa Business Forum Market Briefings,
                                Business to Business meetings,
                                consultations with U.S. government trade
                                representatives and networking with U.S.
                                and foreign government and business
                                officials.
Wednesday, March 9...........  Depart Dubai and arrive in Saudi Arabia,
                                Kuwait or Egypt.
Thursday, March 10...........  Select trade mission meetings in Saudi
                                Arabia, Kuwait or Egypt and evening
                                networking receptions.
Friday, March 11.............  Trade Mission Participants Depart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Website: Please visit our official mission website for more 
information: https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22.

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the trade mission to the 
UAE (including mission stops with business matchmaking in the UAE, 
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Israel, Algeria, Egypt and/or Morocco 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 40 companies and/or trade associations will be 
selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool on a 
rolling basis. Mission stop participation will be limited as follows:

Business Matchmaking Capacity

The UAE: 30
Egypt: 10
Saudi Arabia: 15
Kuwait: 12
Qatar: 14
Algeria: 5
Morocco: 12
Israel/West Bank: 10

    Additional delegates may be accepted based on available space. U.S. 
companies and/or trade associations already doing business in or 
seeking business in the UAE, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Israel, Saudi 
Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar for the first time may apply.

Fees and Expenses

    If an applicant is selected to participate in a 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.
    <bullet> The fee for companies to only participate in the Business 
Forum in Dubai from March 6-8, 2022, is $750. The trade mission fees 
below include participation in the Business Forum in Dubai.
    <bullet> For one mission stop, the participation fee will be $2,200 
for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and $4,200 for large 
firms.
    <bullet> For two mission stops, the participation fee will be 
$3,400 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and $5,400 for 
large firms.
    <bullet> For three mission stops, the participation fee will be 
$4,600 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and $6,600 for 
large firms.
    <bullet> For four mission stops, the participation fee will be 
$5,800 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) and $7,800 for 
large firms.
    <bullet> An additional representative for both SMEs and large firms 
at the Forum or mission stops will require a one-time additional fee of 
$500.

Application

    All interested firms and associations may register via the 
following link: https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Application

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, 
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the U.S. 
Department of Commerce trade mission calendar 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 2133]]

    Recruitment for the mission will begin September 7 and conclude no 
later than January 31, 2022. The U.S. Department of Commerce will 
review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling basis 
until the maximum number of participants is selected. After January 31, 
2022, applications will be considered only if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Leandro Solorzano, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Phoenix, AZ, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#773b1216191305185924181b18050d16191837030516131259101801"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a1edc4c0cfc5d3ce8ff2cecdced3dbc0cfcee1d5d3c0c5c48fc6ced7">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 480-387-6531
Erin Butler, Director, U.S. Commercial Service New Orleans, LA, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#410433282f6f0334352d24330135332025246f262e37"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="85c0f7ecebabc7f0f1e9e0f7c5f1f7e4e1e0abe2eaf3">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 504.264.4826
Judy Kornfeld, National Events Manager, U.S. Commercial Service 
Washington, DC, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91dbe4f5e8bffafee3fff7f4fdf5d1e5e3f0f5f4bff6fee7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a29d8c91c683879a868e8d848ca89c9a898c8dc68f879e">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 571-237-9187

International Contacts

Thomas Bruns, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial 
Service Abu Dhabi, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fca89493919d8fd2be8e89928fbc888e9d9899d29b938a"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e6b28e898b8795c8a494938895a69294878283c8818990">[email protected]</span></a>
Erick Kish, Principal Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial 
Service Abu Dhabi, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffba8d969c94d1b4968c97bf8b8d9e9b9ad1989089"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4500372c262e6b0e2c362d0531372421206b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>

Trade Mission to Central America in Conjunction With the Trade 
Americas--Business Opportunities in Central America Conference

Dates: March 27-April 1, 2022

Summary

    As part of the Biden Administration's Root Causes Strategy, which 
seeks increase and diversify trade between the United States and 
Central America, the United States Department of Commerce, 
International Trade Administration, is organizing a trade mission to 
Central America that will include the Trade Americas--Business 
Opportunities in Central America Conference in Guatemala City, 
Guatemala on March 27-April 1, 2022.
    U.S. trade mission delegation participants will arrive in Guatemala 
City, Guatemala, on or before March 27 to attend the opening reception 
for the Trade Americas--Business Opportunities in Central America 
Conference, which is also open to U.S. companies not participating in 
the trade mission. Trade mission participants will attend the 
Conference on March 28. Following the morning session of the 
conference, trade mission participants will participate in one-on-one 
consultations with U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) 
Commercial Officers and/or Department of State Economic/Commercial 
Officers from the following U.S. Embassies in the region: Costa Rica, 
El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Panama. The following 
day, March 29, trade mission participants will travel to engage in 
business-to-business appointments, each of which will be with a pre-
screened potential buyer, agent, distributor, or joint-venture partner, 
in up to two markets in the Central America Region.
    The Department of Commerce's Trade Americas--Business Opportunities 
in Central America Conference will focus on regional and industry-
specific sessions, market entry strategies, legal, logistics, and trade 
financing resources as well as pre-arranged one-on-one consultations 
with US&FCS Commercial Officers and/or Department of State Economic/
Commercial Officers with expertise in commercial markets throughout the 
region.
    The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of 
industries with growing potential in Central America, but is focused on 
U.S. companies representing best prospects sectors such as Agriculture, 
Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Service Equipment, Construction 
Equipment and Services, Cosmetics, Cybersecurity, Design and 
Construction, Disposable Medical Supplies, Education and Training, 
Energy, Franchising, Information and Communications Technology, Medical 
Equipment, Packaging Equipment & Machinery, Plastics, Safety & 
Security, Solar Energy Products, Travel and Tourism.
    The combination of the Trade Americas--Business Opportunities in 
Central America Conference and business-to-business matchmaking 
opportunities in six Central American countries will provide 
participants with access to substantive information on strategies for 
entering or expanding their business across the Central America region.

Proposed Timetable

    The mission fee will include registration for the Trade Americas--
Business Opportunities in Central America Conference, including 
conference materials and admission to all sessions and networking 
events with industry and government representatives, country market 
briefings, and logistics support. It also includes one-on-one 
appointments with pre-screened potential business partners in up to two 
markets in Central America.
    U.S. trade mission delegation participants will arrive in Guatemala 
City, Guatemala on or before March 27, to attend the opening reception 
for the Trade Americas--Business Opportunities in Central America 
Conference, which is also open to U.S. firms not participating in the 
trade mission. Trade mission participants will attend the conference on 
March 28. Following the morning session of the conference, trade 
mission participants will participate in one-on-one consultations with 
US&FCS commercial officers and/or Department of State economic/
commercial officers from the following U.S. Embassies in the region: 
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Panama. The 
following day, March 29, trade mission participants will engage in 
business-to-business appointments in Guatemala City, or travel to 
another selected/approved market for business-to-business appointments. 
Business-to-business appointments will be with prescreened potential 
buyers, agents, distributors, or potential joint venture partners in up 
to two markets in Central America.
    * 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 26, 2022...............  Travel Day/Arrival in Guatemala City.
                                Optional Local Tour.
March 27, 2022...............  Guatemala City. Afternoon: Registration,
                                U.S. Embassy Officer Consultations and
                                Market Briefing. Evening: Networking
                                Reception.
March 28, 2022...............  Guatemala City. Morning: Registration and
                                Trade Americas--Business Opportunities
                                in Central America Conference.
                                Afternoon: U.S. Embassy Officer
                                Consultations and Workshops. Evening:
                                Networking Reception.
------------------------------------------------------------------------


[[Page 2134]]

Optional

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
March 29-April 1, 2022.......  Travel and Business-to-Business Meetings
                                in (choice of up to two markets): Option
                                (A) Costa Rica. Option (B) Guatemala.
                                Option (C) El Salvador. Option (D)
                                Belize Option (E) Honduras. Option (F)
                                Panama.
April 2, 2022................  Travel Day. Return to the U.S.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Trade Mission to Central America 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 20 and a maximum of 40 firms and/or trade associations 
will be selected to participate in the mission on a first-come first-
serve basis. During the registration process, applicants will be able 
to select the countries from which they would like to receive a brief 
market assessment. Once they receive their brief market assessment 
report, they will be able to select up to two markets in which they 
would like to travel for their business-to-business meetings.
    All selected participants will attend the conference in Guatemala 
and will have business-to-business meetings in up to two markets in the 
region.
    The number of firms that may be selected for each country are as 
follows: 10 companies for Costa Rica, 10 companies for Guatemala, 10 
companies for El Salvador, 5 companies for Belize, 10 companies for 
Honduras, and 10 companies for Panama.
    The Trade Mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business in 
the region who are seeking to expand their market share and to those 
U.S. firms new to the region.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate 
on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. Up to two markets can be selected for 
business-to-business meetings.
    The fees are as follow:
    If only one market is selected for business-to-business meetings, 
the participation fee will be $2,500 for a small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) [1] and $4,000 for large firms.
    If two markets are selected for business-to-business meetings, the 
participation fee will be $3,500 for a small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) [1] and $5,000 for large firms.
    The mission participation fee includes the Trade Americas--Business 
Opportunities in Central America Conference registration fee of $500 
per participant from each firm.
    There will be a $300 fee for each additional firm representative 
(large firm or SME) that wishes to participate in business-to-business 
meetings in any of the markets selected.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Application

    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 on www.trade.gov, the Trade Americas 
web page at https://www.trade.gov/trade-americas-events, and other 
internet websites, press releases to the general and trade media, 
direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations 
and other multiplier groups and announcements at industry meetings, 
symposia, conferences, and trade shows.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than Friday, January 28, 2022. The U.S. Department of Commerce 
will review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling 
basis until the maximum of 40 participants are selected. After Friday, 
January 28, 2022, companies will be considered only if space and 
scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

U.S. Trade Americas Team Contact Information

Delia Valdivia, Sr. International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service--Los Angeles (West), CA, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fd999891949cd38b9c9199948b949cbd898f9c9998d39a928b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1377767f7a723d65727f777a657a725367617277763d747c65">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 310-
235-7203
Diego Gattesco, Director, U.S. Commercial Service--Wheeling, WV, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#05416c60626a2b426471716076666a4571776461602b626a73"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="02466b67656d2c456376766771616d4276706366672c656d74">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: 304-243-5493

Central America Region Contact Information

John Howell, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service--
Guatemala, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f8b2979096d6b0978f9d9494b88c8a999c9dd69f978e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="145e7b7c7a3a5c7b637178785460667570713a737b62">[email protected]</span></a>, Tel: +502 2326 4227

Minority-Business Focused Trade Mission (MBTM) to Italy, Spain, and 
Portugal

Dates: May 15-20, 2022

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an executive-led Minority-Business 
Focused Trade Mission (MBTM) to Southwestern Europe: Italy, Spain, and 
Portugal from Sunday, May 15, 2022 to Saturday, May 21, 2022.
    The recruitment for the MBTM will be a targeted focus on minority 
businesses. However, recruitment and consideration will be given to all 
export-ready companies that meet the established criteria for 
participation in the mission. Trade mission activities will be designed 
to target the export assistance needs of minority businesses. For 
purposes of the trade mission, a ``minority business'' is one that 
falls within the Minority Business Development Agency's definition of 
Minority Business Enterprises: Organizations that are owned or 
controlled by the following persons or groups of persons are the 
organizations that are considered MBEs: African-American, Hispanic-
American, American Asian and Pacific Islander, Native American 
(including Alaska Natives, Alaska Native Corporations and Tribal 
entities), Asian Indian American, and Hasidic Jewish American. See 15 
CFR 1400.1, 1400.2 and Executive Order 11625 (1969). This mission is in 
full alignment with Executive Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity 
and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government 
(January 25, 2021), the goals of which include advancing racial equity 
and provide support for minority business enterprises. This mission is 
also in full alignment with the President's 2021 Trade Policy Agenda's 
statement on Advancing Racial Equity and Supporting Underserved 
Communities, which notes, ``The trade agenda will support domestic 
initiatives that eliminate social and economic structural barriers to 
equality and economic opportunity.''
    The focus of the MBTM is on the information and communication 
technology (ICT) sector and subsectors

[[Page 2135]]

of cybersecurity, smart city infrastructure and technology solutions, 
artificial intelligence markets and cloud computing, and energy, 
environmental technology, and safety and security technology 
applications.
    The delegation will be comprised of representatives with decision-
making authority from U.S. companies, U.S. trade associations and 
national minority chambers of commerce representing businesses in the 
cited sectors, with an emphasis on recruiting and vetting minority 
businesses as defined by MBDA. This mission is aligned with a key goal 
of the Biden-Harris Administration to build back better with equity.
    The mission will make three stops: Milan, Italy, Madrid, Spain, and 
Lisbon, Portugal. The purpose of the planned executive-led mission is 
to provide opportunities for U.S. companies, to access the Southwestern 
European regional market and increase U.S. exports to the European 
Union (EU) region by connecting U.S. firms and trade associations to 
pre-screened business prospects.

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 15, 2022.........  <bullet> Trade Mission Participants
                                Arrive in Milan, Italy and Check in
                                their Hotel and for those that arrive on
                                time attend a Hosted Welcome Reception.
Monday, May 16...............  <bullet> Morning Mission Briefing on
                                Doing Business in Italy, B2B meetings,
                                Networking Lunch with Government or
                                Industry Speaker and Evening Networking
                                Reception hosted by Consul General.
Tuesday, May 17..............  <bullet> Checkout of Hotel, Morning B2B
                                meetings, Networking Lunch, Cultural
                                Tour and Transfer to Airport for Travel
                                to Madrid, Spain, Arrive in Spain and
                                Check into Hotel, Dinner (no host).
Wednesday, May 18............  <bullet> Morning Briefing on Doing
                                Business in Spain, B2B meetings,
                                Networking Lunch, followed by B2B
                                Afternoon Meetings and Networking
                                Reception.
Thursday, May 19.............  <bullet> Checkout of Hotel, Travel from
                                Spain to Lisbon Portugal, Check in
                                Hotel, Open, and Networking Reception.
Friday, May 20...............  <bullet> B2B Meetings, Briefing on Doing
                                Business in Portugal, Networking Lunch
                                and B2B/B2G Meetings, Informal
                                Reception, Mission is completed.
Saturday, May 21.............  <bullet> Checkout Hotel, Transfer to
                                Airport, Mission Participants Leave
                                Portugal and Travel Home or to Spin-off.
                                Mission is completed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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 15 and maximum of 20 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 
on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of 
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the MBTM 
will be $5,500 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME); \1\ and 
$8,100 for large firms or trade associations. The fee for each 
additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) 
is $1000, with a limit of 2 additional representatives for each 
participating firm. 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant 
is a small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    We will also try to reduce costs for meals through the in-kind 
offers of sponsors. Sponsor recruitment success is highly dependent on 
the types of companies participating. We will work to recruit global 
and local sponsors for the trade mission.

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 (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 March 04, 2022. The U.S. 
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants 
of selection decisions on a staggered basis. The Department of Commerce 
will evaluate applications and inform applicants of selection decisions 
three times during the recruitment period. All applications received 
subsequent to an evaluation date will be considered at the next 
evaluation. Deadlines for each round of evaluation are as follows:
    <bullet> First Evaluation: January 28, 2022.
    <bullet> Second Evaluation: February 18, 2022.
    <bullet> Final Evaluation: March 4, 2022.
    Applications received after March 04, 2022, will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Project Lead

    <bullet> Scott Pozil, Regional Senior Commercial Officer, France, 
+33 625278431 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f1c2c203b3b611f203526230f3b3d2e2b2a61282039"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0c5f6f637878225c637665604c787e6d6869226b637a">[email protected]</span></a>, Overall Lead.
    <bullet> Tanya Cole, Principal Commercial Officer, Milan, Italy, 
+39 340 495 3498 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cd99aca3b4ace38ea2a1a88d99bfaca9a8e3aaa2bb"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="580c39362139761b37343d180c2a393c3d763f372e">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Linda Caruso, Deputy Commercial Officer, Spain, +34 670 
020 110 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efa386818b8ec1ac8e9d9a9c80afbb9d8e8b8ac1888099"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="420e2b2c26236c01233037312d0216302326276c252d34">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Rafael Patino, Senior Commercial Officer, Portugal, +35 91 
931 9781 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e5b78483848089cbb584918c8b8aa5b197848180cb828a93"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c597a4a3a4a0a9eb95a4b1acabaa8591b7a4a1a0eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a>.
    <bullet> Fernando Jimenez, Senior International Trade Specialist, 
USEAC, Phoenix, AZ, +1-480 737 1128, Domestic Point of Contact.

Aerospace Mission to India

Dates: June 21-24, 2022

Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration (ITA), is organizing an

[[Page 2136]]

Aerospace Trade Mission to India on June 21-24, 2022.
    The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. companies to 
India's aerospace ecosystem and assist delegate companies with finding 
business partners and exporting their products and services to the 
region. The mission will target approximately fifteen U.S. companies 
and trade association representatives with members that provide 
products and services related to airport infrastructure, ICT/security 
systems, aerospace equipment, avionics, Maintenance, Repair, and 
Overhaul (MRO), training, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies, 
and possibly space technologies. It is possible to increase this number 
to as high as 25 if we limit the number of Gold Keys and one-on-one 
matchmaking services to 10 of the delegates. This is necessary since 
the mission is constrained to one and a half days per mission stop, so 
this is already between 30 and 50 B2Bs per stop.
    Mission delegates will have access to business development 
opportunities across India. Participating firms will gain market 
insight, make industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and 
advance specific projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports of 
products and services in the aerospace sector. The subsectors will 
depend on the nature of the market, potential demand, prospective 
government procurements, and other factors closer to the start of 
recruitment.
    The mission will include customized one-on-one business 
appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, 
and joint venture partners. It will also include meetings with central, 
state, and local government officials and industry leaders, as well as 
networking events. The mission will include stops in New Delhi and 
Mumbai, with optional stops in Hyderabad and Bengaluru.

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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Monday, June 20, 2022........  <bullet> Trade Mission Participants
                                Arrive in New Delhi, India.
Tuesday, June 21, 2022.......  <bullet> Plenary Session--U.S. Embassy
                                officials welcome delegation.
                               <bullet> Market Briefing: The Aerospace
                                Sector in India--Opportunities and
                                Challenges.
                               <bullet> B2B and B2G Meetings for Mission
                                Delegates in Delhi.
                               <bullet> Reception Hosted by USIBC/USISPF/
                                AmCham/Other (TBC).
Wednesday, June 22, 2022.....  <bullet> B2B and B2G Meetings for Mission
                                Delegates in Delhi.
                               <bullet> Flight to Mumbai.
                               <bullet> Networking Reception Hosted by
                                Local Chamber (TBC).
Thursday, June 23, 2022......  <bullet> B2B and B2G Meetings for Mission
                                Delegates in Mumbai.
                               <bullet> Departure for Optional Spin-
                                Offs.
Friday, June 24, 2022........  <bullet> B2B and B2G Meetings in Spin-Off
                                Locations (Bengaluru/Hyderabad).
                               <bullet> Departure for the United States.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. The mission will target a delegation of 15 
firms, with a minimum of 10 to make the mission viable.

Fees and Expenses

    After a firm or trade association 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 
Aerospace Mission to India will be $2,800 for small or medium-sized 
enterprises (SME); and $5,500 or large firms or trade associations. The 
fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade 
organization) is $1,000. 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 on 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.

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. Recruitment for the mission will begin 
immediately and conclude no later than May 6, 2022. The U.S. Department 
of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants of selection 
decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after May 6, 2022 
will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

1. Geoffrey Parish, Principal Commercial Officer, North India, U.S. 
Commercial Service, New Delhi, India, Tel: +91-11-2347 2000, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6403010b020216011d4a1405160d170c2410160500014a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97f0f2f8f1f1e5f2eeb9e7f6e5fee4ffd7e3e5f6f3f2b9f0f8e1">[email protected]</span></a>
2. Raghavan Srinivasan, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service, 
New Delhi, India, Tel: +91-11-2347 2000, Email: raghavan 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4d7d6cdcacdd2c5d7c5cae4d0d6c5c0c18ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="710203181f18071002101f3105031015145f161e07">[email protected]</span></a>
3. Nisha Wadhawan, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, New 
Delhi, India, Tel: +91-11-2347 2000, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a8afb5aea7e8b1a7a2aea7b1a7a886b2b4a7a2a3e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="81efe8f2e9e0aff6e0e5e9e0f6e0efc1f5f3e0e5e4afe6eef7">[email protected]</span></a>
4. Shamli Menon, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, 
Mumbai, India
5. Theodate Immanuel, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, 
Hyderabad, India
6. Manjushree Phookan, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service, 
Bengaluru, India
7. Amy Magat, Sr., International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service, Downtown Los Angeles, Tel: +1 (213) 276-2990, Email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3d2deca9dded2d4d2c7f3c7c1d2d7d69dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ddbcb0a4f3b0bcbabca99da9afbcb9b8f3bab2ab">[email protected]</span></a>
8. Oscar Maga[ntilde]a, International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial 
Service, San Antonio, TX, Tel: +1

[[Page 2137]]

(210) 419-3043, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4cbd7c7c5d68ac9c5c3c5cac5e4d0d6c5c0c18ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd928e9e9c8fd3909c9a9c939cbd898f9c9998d39a928b">[email protected]</span></a>
9. Meredith Boyle, International Trade Specialist (Aerospace & 
Defense), Office of Transportation and Machinery, Tel: +202-839-2347, 
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#167b736473727f627e3874796f7a7356626477727338717960"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0ddd5c2d5d4d9c4d89ed2dfc9dcd5f0c4c2d1d4d59ed7dfc6">[email protected]</span></a>

    Dated: January 4, 2022.
Renee Diggs,
International Trade Specialist, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2022-00220 Filed 1-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P


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