Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 / Notices 5285 

Georgia have closed their waters to 

shrimp harvest and may request that the 

Council recommend concurrent closure 

of the EEZ off those states. The Review 

Panel will review available data to 

assess whether a recommendation to 

close EEZ waters is warranted. 

Amendment 6 to the Shrimp FMP 

established a proxy for a minimum 

stock size threshold (MSST) as a parent 

stock size capable of producing 

maximum sustainable yield (MSY) the 

following year. Sampling data indicate 

that the stock is again below the MSST. 

A recommendation from the Review 

Panel is needed as to whether 

management action is necessary to bring 

the pink shrimp stock back above the 

MSST level. 

The Panel will prepare a report 

regarding its recommendations and 

forward it to the Council’s Shrimp 

Committee to determine if further action 

is needed. 

Although non-emergency issues not 

contained in this agenda may come 

before this group for discussion, in 

accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens 

Fishery Conservation and Management 

Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), those 

issues may not be the subject of formal 

action during this meeting. Actions will 

be restricted to those issues specifically 

identified in this notice and any issues 

arising after publication of this notice 

that require emergency action under 

Section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens 

Act, provided the public has been 

notified of the Council’s intent to take 

final action to address the emergency. 

Special Accommodations 

This meeting is physically accessible 

to people with disabilities. Requests for 

auxiliary aids should be directed to the 

Council office (see ADDRESSES) 3 days 

prior to the meeting. 

Note: The times and sequence 

specified in this agenda are subject to 

change. 

Dated: January 28, 2010. 

Tracey L. Thompson, 

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable 

Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. 

[FR Doc. 2010–2151 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–22–S 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

Mission Statement; Franchise Trade 

Mission to Mexico; March 3–5, 2010 

AGENCY: International Trade 

Administration, Department of 

Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice. 

Mission Description 

The United States Department of 

Commerce, International Trade 

Administration, U.S. and Foreign 

Commercial Service is organizing a 

Trade Mission to Mexico City, March 3– 

5, 2010, with an optional spin-off visit 

to Monterrey. The mission will focus on 

assisting U.S. franchise companies to 

launch or increase their business in the 

Mexican market. The mission will help 

participating firms gain market insight, 

make industry contacts, solidify 

business strategies, and advance specific 

projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. 

business in Mexico. The mission will 

include business-to-business 

matchmaking appointments with 

potential local and regional investors at 

Mexico’s International Franchise Fair— 

the Feria Internacional de Franquicias. 

The delegation will be comprised of 

U.S. franchise representatives in various 

industry sectors with potential in 

Mexico. 

Commercial Setting 

Today there are nearly 1,000 

franchises in Mexico—ranking the 

nation seventh in franchises in 2008 by 

the World Franchise Council—due to 

market maturity, strong legal 

framework, support from the 

government, and franchise certification 

programs. 

Mexico’s franchise industry has 

proven to be one of the most important 

sectors for the country’s economic 

growth, generating more than $7.25 

billion in 2008, which represents 6 

percent of total GDP. Franchising 

currently provides over 600,000 jobs 

and 55,000 points of sale throughout 

Mexico. The franchise sector has 

maintained constant growth between 14 

and 17 percent over the last 5 years, 

claiming 15 percent of every peso spent 

in Mexico. 

Its strong commercial ties to the 

United States and recognition and 

acceptance of U.S. brands make Mexico 

a natural path for expansion into Latin 

America. Mexico’s strong legal 

framework and large and diverse market 

offer numerous opportunities for U.S. 

firms looking to expand abroad. Sixtyeight percent of Mexican franchises are 

domestic and 21 percent U.S., making 

the United States by far the largest 

international provider of franchises. The 

International FranCorp ranked Mexico 

as the 10th best country in the world in 

2008 for penetration through franchises, 

with one franchise for every 800 

citizens. 

Traditionally, large cities in Mexico 

have provided the primary markets for 

franchises. Eighty-three percent of 

franchised businesses in Mexico are in 

Mexico City, Monterrey and 

Guadalajara. However, several 

franchises have expanded into smaller 

cities this year. While a non-franchise 

business in Mexico has only a 40 

percent chance of surviving more than 

2 years, 95 percent of franchised 

businesses in Mexico are still operating 

after five years, demonstrating the 

strength of the industry. 

The Mexican Franchise Association 

(AMF) worked very closely with the 

Ministry of the Economy to develop the 

National Franchise Program (PNF) in 

2007. This program promotes the 

development of international franchise 

concepts in Mexico with the goal of 

increasing employment and investment 

in the country. It provides opportunities 

to Mexican entrepreneurs to create or reengineer a franchise concept, which not 

only supports growth and 

modernization of existing franchises, 

but provides support to investors 

looking to acquire international 

franchise concepts. So far in 2009, the 

Mexican government, through the PNF, 

has distributed nearly $15.3 million of 

the $27 million budgeted for 2009. 

Specifically, about $4 million was given 

to new entrepreneurs looking to acquire 

franchises. This program offers an 

extraordinary opportunity for U.S. 

brands looking to either enter or expand 

their presence in the Mexican market. 

Mexico offers numerous opportunities 

for a wide variety of firms looking to 

expand into a new market. Training, 

automotive services, pawn shops, senior 

care, child care, fitness programs, and 

gyms account for 24 percent of the 

franchise market, followed by the 

restaurant sector with 23 percent, retail 

21 percent, education 14 percent, 

personal care 8 percent, and 

entertainment 5 percent. The remaining 

5 percent is a mix of other sectors, 

including cleaning, laundry, dry 

cleaning, and tailoring. In terms of best 

opportunities for U.S. firms, food 

concepts lead the industry, with fast 

food restaurants and casual dining the 

most attractive to Mexican investors. 

However, there are many other sectors 

that are growing rapidly and 

successfully in the Mexican market, 

including education/entertainment 

services for children and personal care 

services (spas, beauty shops, and health 

care). 

Due to the economic downturn, the 

franchise industry expects reduced 

growth during 2009 and 2010, 

specifically for concepts that require 

large investments and big operational 

requirements. However, because the 

current economic crisis has led to 

increased unemployment, many 

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5286 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 / Notices 

1An 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/contractingopportunities/ 

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 (see http:// 

www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/ 

initiatives.html for additional information). 

Mexicans are looking to selfemployment options to assure their 

future income, which provides more 

franchise opportunities. In order to 

make franchise concepts more attractive 

to new investors, many large companies 

looking for increased market presence in 

Mexico have developed a microfranchise model packaging stores in 

smaller units in order to decrease 

investment requirements. 

Both Mexico in general, as the 

gateway to Latin America, and the Feria 

Internacional de Franquicias (FIF) in 

particular attract prospective investors 

from Central and South America, as 

well as the Caribbean, all in search of 

opportunities to develop in their 

respective markets. With the franchise 

sector still demonstrating 10 percent 

growth in 2009 and the AMF prediction 

that the size of the Mexican economy 

will still allow for double the number of 

current franchises, Mexico offers 

numerous economic opportunities for 

U.S. franchisors looking to expand 

internationally. 

Mission Goals 

The Franchise Trade Mission to 

Mexico will help U.S. firms initiate or 

expand their business to Mexico by 

providing business-to-business 

introductions and market access 

information. 

Mission Scenario 

The mission will begin in Mexico 

City, where participants will attend 

market briefings by Embassy officials, 

meet with government and industry 

contacts at networking events, and 

participate in one-on-one business 

matchmaking meetings with potential 

local and regional investors at FIF. 

Scheduled for March 4–6, 2010, FIF is 

Latin America’s definitive franchise 

expo, typically hosting more than 

20,000 visitors and recognized by 

franchisors as an effective gateway to 

international expansion. A presence at 

FIF is expected to enhance 

opportunities for the trade mission 

participants. (U.S. companies seeking to 

exhibit at FIF can visit the show Web 

site at http://www.fif.com.mx). The 

mission will continue with an optional 

spin-off visit to Monterrey, where 

additional matchmaking will take place. 

PROPOSED MISSION TIMETABLE

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Participants arrive in Mexico City. 

Evening Market briefing. 

Thursday, March 4, 2010 

Friday, March 5, 2010 

Business matchmaking meetings at the International Franchise Fair in designated Commercial Service area. 

Monday, March 8, 2010 Matchmaking in Monterrey (spin-off option). 

Participation Requirements 

All parties interested in participating 

in the Commercial Service Franchise 

Trade Mission to Mexico City (and 

Monterrey) must complete and submit 

an application package for consideration 

by the Department of Commerce. A 

minimum of 8 and a maximum of 12 

companies will be selected to 

participate in the mission from the 

applicant pool. U.S. companies already 

doing business with Mexico as well as 

U.S. companies seeking to enter Mexico 

for the first time are encouraged to 

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 for the Mexico 

City portion of the mission will be 

$2,305 for large firms and $2,265 for a 

small or medium-sized enterprise 

(SME).1 Expenses for travel, lodging, 

most meals, and incidentals will be the 

responsibility of each mission 

participant. Mission participants will 

have the opportunity to take advantage 

of additional business matchmaking in 

Monterrey, available to large firms for 

$1,400 and $1,369 for SMEs. 

Conditions for Participation 

• Applicants must submit a 

completed and signed mission 

application and supplemental 

application materials, including 

information on the company’s products 

and/or services, primary market 

objectives, and goals for participation. 

• Each applicant must certify that the 

products (if any) and/or 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% U.S. content of 

the combined value of the finished 

product or service. 

Selection Criteria for Participation 

Selection will be based on the 

following criteria: 

• Suitability of the company’s 

products or services in the Mexican 

market; 

• Applicant’s potential for business 

in Mexico, including likelihood of 

exports resulting from the mission; 

• Consistency of the applicant’s goals 

and objectives with the stated scope of 

the trade 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, 

notices by industry trade associations 

and other multiplier groups, and 

publicity at industry meetings, 

conferences, and trade shows. The 

International Trade Administration will 

explore and welcome outreach 

assistance from other interested 

organizations, including other U.S. 

Government agencies. 

Recruitment for the mission will 

begin immediately and close February 

12, 2010. Applications will be available 

online on the mission Web site at 

http://www.buyusa.gov/mexico/en. 

They can also be obtained by contacting 

the mission contacts listed below. The 

mission will open on a first come first 

served basis. Applications received after 

February 12, 2010, will be considered 

only if space and scheduling constraints 

permit. 

mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES

Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 21 / Tuesday, February 2, 2010 / Notices 5287 

Contacts 

Martha Sa ́nchez, U.S. Commercial 

Service Mexico City, Tel: 011 52 55 

5140–2621, E-mail: 

martha.sanchez@mail.doc.gov. 

Kristin Houston, U.S. Commercial 

Service California, Tel: 949–660– 

1688, ext. 314, E-mail: 

kristin.houston@mail.doc.gov. 

Sean Timmins, 

Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service 

Trade Missions Program. 

[FR Doc. 2010–2115 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE P 

COMMISSION OF FINE ARTS 

Notice of Meeting 

The next meeting of the U.S. 

Commission of Fine Arts is scheduled 

for 18 February 2010, at 10 a.m. in the 

Commission offices at the National 

Building Museum, Suite 312, Judiciary 

Square, 401 F Street, NW., Washington 

DC, 20001–2728. Items of discussion 

may include buildings, parks and 

memorials. 

Draft agendas and additional 

information regarding the Commission 

are available on our Web site: 

www.cfa.gov. Inquiries regarding the 

agenda and requests to submit written 

or oral statements should be addressed 

to Thomas Luebke, Secretary, U.S. 

Commission of Fine Arts, at the above 

address; by e-mailing staffcfa.gov; or by 

calling 202–504–2200. Individuals 

requiring sign language interpretation 

for the hearing impaired should contact 

the Secretary at least 10 days before the 

meeting date. 

Dated: January 22, 2010, in Washington 

DC. 

Thomas Luebke, 

Secretary, AIA. 

[FR Doc. 2010–1899 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 6330–01–M 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Office of the Secretary 

Federal Advisory Committee; Advisory 

Panel on Department of Defense 

Capabilities for Support of Civil 

Authorities After Certain Incidents; 

Charter Modification 

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). 

ACTION: Charter modification. 

SUMMARY: Pursuant to section 1082 of 

Public Law 110–181 (122 Stat. 337), the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act of 

1972, (5 U.S.C., Appendix), the 

Sunshine in the Government Act of 

1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b), and 41 CFR 102– 

3.65, the Department of Defense 

established the Advisory Panel on 

Department of Defense Capabilities for 

Support of Civil Authorities After 

Certain Incidents (hereafter referred to 

as the Panel) on November 14, 2008. 

The Panel was established to carry out 

an assessment of the Department’s 

capabilities to provide support to U.S. 

civil authorities in the event of a 

chemical, biological, radiological, 

nuclear, or high-yield explosive 

incident. While the Panel’s mission 

remains unchanged, section 1034 of 

Public Law 111–84 added additional 

tasks to be performed by the Panel: The 

Department intends to modify the 

Panel’s existing charter to reflect this 

change directed by Congress. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Freeman, Deputy Committee 

Management Officer for the Department 

of Defense, 703–601–6128. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Charter Modification 

The Panel is non-discretionary federal 

advisory committee that was established 

to assess the Department’s capabilities 

to provide support to U.S. civil 

authorities in the event of a chemical, 

biological, radiological, nuclear, or highyield explosive incident. While the 

Panel’s mission remains unchanged, 

section 1034 of Public Law 111–84 

added the following tasks to be 

performed by the Panel: 

1. Assess the adequacy of the process 

and methodology by which the 

Department of Defense establishes, 

maintains, and resources forces to 

provide support to civil authorities in 

the event of a chemical, biological, 

radiological, nuclear, or high-yield 

explosive incident. 

2. Assess the adequacy of the 

resources planned and programmed by 

the Department to ensure the 

preparedness and capability of its forces 

to provide such support. 

The Department of Defense intends to 

modify the Panel’s existing charter to 

reflect this change directed by Congress. 

Written Statements 

Pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.105(j) and 

102–3.140, the public or interested 

organizations are reminded that they 

may submit written statements to the 

Panel membership about its mission and 

functions. Written statements may be 

submitted at any time or in response to 

the stated agenda of planned meeting of 

the Panel. 

All written statements shall be 

submitted to the Panel’s Designated 

Federal Officer. This individual will 

ensure that the written statements are 

provided to the membership for their 

consideration. Contact information for 

the Designated Federal Officer may be 

obtained from the GSA’s FACA 

Database—https://www.fido.gov/ 

facadatabase/public.asp. 

The Designated Federal Officer, 

pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150, will 

announce planned meetings of the 

Panel. The Designated Federal Officer, 

at that time, may provide additional 

guidance on the submission of written 

statements that are in response to the 

stated agenda for the planned meeting 

in question. 

Dated: January 28, 2010. 

Mitchell S. Bryman, 

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison 

Officer, Department of Defense. 

[FR Doc. 2010–2163 Filed 2–1–10; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 5001–06–P 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Office of the Secretary 

Federal Advisory Committee; Western 

Hemisphere Institute for Security 

Cooperation Board of Visitors; Charter 

Renewal 

AGENCY: Department of Defense (DoD). 

ACTION: Renewal of federal advisory 

committee. 

SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the 

Federal Advisory Committee Act of 

1972, (5 U.S.C. Appendix, as amended), 

the Government in the Sunshine Act of 

1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 

41 CFR 102–3.50, the Department of 

Defense gives notice that it is renewing 

the charter for the Western Hemisphere 

Institute for Security Cooperation Board 

of Visitors (hereafter referred to as the 

Board). 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim 

Freeman, Deputy Committee 

Management Officer for the Department 

of Defense, 703–601–6128. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Board 

is a non-discretionary federal advisory 

committee and shall examine and 

advise on overall management and 

governance of the Department of 

Defense. 

The Board shall provide the Secretary 

of Defense, through the Secretary of the 

Army, independent advice and 

recommendations on matters pertaining 

to the operations and management of 

the Institute. Under the provisions of 10 

U.S.C. 2166(e), the Board shall: 

a. Inquire into the curriculum 

instructions, physical equipment, fiscal 

affairs, and academic methods of the 

mstockstill on DSKH9S0YB1PROD with NOTICES