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Notice2022-00220

Announcement of Certain Approved 2022 International Trade Administration Trade Missions

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Published

January 13, 2022

Issuing agencies

Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration

Abstract

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.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 9 (Thursday, January 13, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2130-2137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[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: <a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>.
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 (<a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>-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">[email&#160;protected]</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 <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/">https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html/</a>. 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 (<a href="https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards">https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards</a>), which vary by North American
Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code. The SBA Size Standards
Tool [<a href="https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/">https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/</a>] 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 <a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>).

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: <a href="https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22">https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22</a>.

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: <a href="https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22">https://www.itamatch.com/event/tradewinds22</a>.

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">[email&#160;protected]</a>, Tel: 480-387-6531
Erin Butler, Director, U.S. Commercial Service New Orleans, LA,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#410433282f6f0334352d24330135332025246f262e37">[email&#160;protected]</a>, Tel: 504.264.4826
Judy Kornfeld, National Events Manager, U.S. Commercial Service
Washington, DC, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#91dbe4f5e8bffafee3fff7f4fdf5d1e5e3f0f5f4bff6fee7">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</a>
Erick Kish, Principal Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial
Service Abu Dhabi, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ffba8d969c94d1b4968c97bf8b8d9e9b9ad1989089">[email&#160;protected]</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 <a href="http://www.trade.gov">www.trade.gov</a>, the Trade Americas
web page at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-americas-events">https://www.trade.gov/trade-americas-events</a>, 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">[email&#160;protected]</a>, Tel: 310-
235-7203
Diego Gattesco, Director, U.S. Commercial Service--Wheeling, WV,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#05416c60626a2b426471716076666a4571776461602b626a73">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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 (<a href="https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards">https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards</a>), which vary by
North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code. The SBA
Size Standards Tool [<a href="https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/">https://www.sba.gov/size-standards/</a>] 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 (<a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>) 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">[email&#160;protected]</a>, Overall Lead.
<bullet> Tanya Cole, Principal Commercial Officer, Milan, Italy,
+39 340 495 3498 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cd99aca3b4ace38ea2a1a88d99bfaca9a8e3aaa2bb">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
<bullet> Linda Caruso, Deputy Commercial Officer, Spain, +34 670
020 110 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#efa386818b8ec1ac8e9d9a9c80afbb9d8e8b8ac1888099">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
<bullet> Rafael Patino, Senior Commercial Officer, Portugal, +35 91
931 9781 <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e5b78483848089cbb584918c8b8aa5b197848180cb828a93">[email&#160;protected]</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

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">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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">[email&#160;protected]</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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