Notice2023-03228
Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade Mission
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 15, 2023
Issuing agencies
Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration
Abstract
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission that will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is: Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Business Mission to South Africa, Ghana, and Optional Stop in Nigeria, August 6-15, 2023. A summary of the mission is found below. Application information and more detailed mission information, including the commercial setting and sector information, can be found at the trade mission website: https:// www.trade.gov/trade-missions. For 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.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 31 (Wednesday, February 15, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9858-9861]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-03228]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade
Mission
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission that
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is:
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Business Mission to South
Africa, Ghana, and Optional Stop in Nigeria, August 6-15, 2023. A
summary of the mission is found below. Application information and more
detailed mission information, including the commercial setting and
sector information, can be found at the trade mission website: <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: Jeffrey Odum, Events Management Task
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482-
6397 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d892bdbebeaabda1f697bcadb598acaab9bcbdf6bfb7ae"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c882adaeaebaadb1e687acbda588bcbaa9acade6afa7be">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for the Mission
Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals
for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce
to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives
an incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the
application, request additional information/clarification, or take the
lack of information into account when evaluating the application. If
the requisite minimum number of participants is not selected for a
particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the mission may be
cancelled.
Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it
seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a
trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/
organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or
service provider seeks to export are either produced in the United
States or, if not, marketed
[[Page 9859]]
under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51% U.S. content.
A trade association/organization applicant must certify to the
above for every company it seeks to represent on the mission. In
addition, each applicant must:
<bullet> Certify that the products and services that it wishes to
market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export
controls and regulations;
<bullet> Certify that it has identified any matter pending before
any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
<bullet> Certify that it has identified any pending litigation
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that
involves the Department of Commerce; and
<bullet> Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates
(1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in
connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission,
and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of
foreign officials.
In the case of a trade association/organization, the applicant must
certify that each firm or service provider to be represented by the
association/organization can make the above certifications.
The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission
Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers
and trade associations/organizations providing or promoting U.S.
products and services that have an interest in entering or expanding
their business in the mission's destination country. The following
criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
<bullet> Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's)
products or services to these markets;
<bullet> The applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) potential for
business in the markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from
the mission; and
<bullet> Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's)
goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.
<bullet> ITA seeks to ensure that the trade mission represents a
diverse swathe of U.S. businesses seeking to export. Considerations
when reviewing applications will include: size of the company
represented; volume and/or value of the company's current exports.
Balance of applicants' location may also be considered during the
review process.
Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any
information, including on the application, containing references to
political contributions or other partisan political activities will be
excluded from the application and will not be considered during the
selection process. The 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 as a ``small
business'' 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, a and notify the
previously selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new
virtual program.
Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be
found at <a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>).
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Business Mission to South
Africa, Ghana, and Optional Stop in Nigeria, August 6-15, 2023
Summary
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export
Initiative (GDEI) Business Trade Mission to South Africa and Ghana with
an optional stop in Nigeria from August 6-15, 2023. The timing of this
mission is subject to change based on the confirmed dates of the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Forum that is slated to take
place in Johannesburg, South Africa, in August 2023. The mission will
focus on building commercial bridges between U.S. businesses with
owners and/or leaders from underserved communities (``underserved
businesses'' or
[[Page 9860]]
``businesses from underserved communities'') with business communities
in the target countries. The target participants will be businesses in
the automotive, information and communication technology, safety and
security, and consumer goods (i.e., cosmetic, toiletries, haircare,
etc.) industries.
Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready
companies that meet the established criteria for participation in the
mission. ITA is seeking to improve outreach and representation of
businesses with owners and/or leaders from underserved communities.
This mission is in alignment with Executive Order 13985 on Advancing
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the
Federal Government (January 25, 2021) (E.O. 13985), the U.S. Department
of Commerce Equity Action Plan, and the Global Diversity Export
Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. For the purposes of the
trade mission, ITA adopts the definition of ``underserved communities''
in E.O. 13985: ``populations sharing a particular characteristic, as
well as geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a
full opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and
civic life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of
`equity.' '' ``Equity'' is defined by E.O. 13985 as ``the consistent
and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals,
including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have
been denied such treatment, such as Black, Latino, and Indigenous and
Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and
other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with
disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise
adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.'' This trade
mission is also designed to be responsive to the priorities stated by
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and outlined in the Equity Action
Plan released in April 2022 which includes ``[s]trengthen[ing] small
businesses in underserved communities by helping them be successful
exporters''.
In addition to publishing notice of the trade mission in the
Federal Register, ITA is committed to outreach and recruitment through
collaboration with organizations with ties to underserved communities.
Federal agencies that will help to support recruitment for this mission
include the U.S. Export-Import Bank and the Minority Business
Development Agency.
The mission will begin in Johannesburg, South Africa where
delegates will participate in pre-arranged business to business (B2B)
meetings with potential partners and customers and in market briefings
with speakers from South Africa and surrounding countries. The market
briefings will be an opportunity for mission participants to network
and to gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities in the region.
The market briefings will include Officers and Locally Employed
Specialists from surrounding countries. Mission participants from the
automotive industry have an optional site visit to a local automotive
original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The mission will spend 2.5 days
in South Africa. If the timing of the mission takes place alongside the
anticipated AGOA Forum, participants could potentially spend extra time
in South Africa to take advantage of the market briefings and
networking opportunities associated with the Forum.
After South Africa, the mission will proceed to Ghana in West
Africa. In Ghana, mission participants will have the opportunity to
participate in pre-arranged B2B meetings with potential partners and
customers as well as a potential site visit to a manufacturing
facility. Given recent government regulations imposing additional
tariffs on automotive imports, this sector is no longer considered
viable for American automotive exporters. Companies involved in ICT and
Safety & Security will be better situated for B2B meetings in Ghana.
After Ghana, mission participants have the option to proceed to the
optional stop in Nigeria for two days after a weekend break. In
Nigeria, participants will have B2B meetings with potential partners
and customers. This stop will be optional as some of the target sectors
for this mission face foreign exchange barriers making it difficult to
enter and compete in the Nigerian market. It is noted that some
consumer goods, including textiles and cosmetics/toiletries, are among
the products that face this difficulty.\1\ The mission will conclude in
Nigeria.
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\1\ <a href="https://www.pulse.ng/business/cbn-fx-restriction-list-wheat-sugar-importation-ban/m45743k">https://www.pulse.ng/business/cbn-fx-restriction-list-wheat-sugar-importation-ban/m45743k</a>.
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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. This
timetable is subject to change once the confirmed dates for the AGOA
Forum in August 2023 are announced.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Sunday August 6, 2023............. <bullet> Trade Mission Participants
Arrive in South Africa.
<bullet> Welcome Reception.
Monday August 7, 2023............. <bullet> Regional Market Briefings--
AM.
<bullet> B2B Matchmaking Meetings--
PM.
Tuesday August 8, 2023............ <bullet> B2B Matchmaking Meetings
Continue AM/PM.
<bullet> Optional site visits to
manufacturing facilities PM.
Wednesday August 9, 2023.......... <bullet> Travel day to Ghana.
Thursday August 10, 2023.......... <bullet> B2B meetings AM/PM.
<bullet> Welcome Reception PM.
Friday August 11, 2023............ <bullet> B2B Matchmaking Meetings
Continue AM.
<bullet> Optional site visits to
manufacturing facilities PM.
Saturday & Sunday August 12-13, <bullet> Weekend in Ghana and depart
2023. for Nigeria for optional stop in
Lagos.
August 14, 2023................... <bullet> B2B Matchmaking Meetings AM/
PM.
<bullet> Welcome Luncheon or Dinner.
August 15, 2023................... <bullet> B2B Matchmaking Meetings AM/
PM.
<bullet> Trade Mission concludes.
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[[Page 9861]]
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the trade mission must
submit an application package for consideration by the U.S. Department
of Commerce (DOC). All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to
meet the criteria as outlined above. A minimum of 20 participants will
be selected for South Africa and Ghana, and 8 for the optional stop in
Nigeria. The total number of participants will not exceed 30.
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 GDEI
Business Development Trade Mission will be $3,725 for small or medium-
sized enterprises (SME) \2\ and trade organizations for South Africa
and Ghana stops and $5,720 for all three stops and $6,520 for South
Africa and Ghana stops and $10,300 for all three stops for large firms.
The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/
trade organization) is $800 for SMEs and $1,300 for large companies.
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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ 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.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
If 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/passports/en/alertswarnings.html">https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html</a>. Any question regarding
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer
of choice.
Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce
Department trade mission calendar (<a href="http://export.gov/trademissions">http://export.gov/trademissions</a>) and
other internet websites, press releases to general and trade media,
direct mail, notices by industry trade associations/organizations 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 31, 2023. The U.S.
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants
of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after
May 31, 2023, will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit.
Contacts
Terri Batch, ITS/GDEI lead, West LA USEAC, (310) 597-3575,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c490a1b6b6adea86a5b0a7ac84b0b6a5a0a1eaa3abb2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1e4a7b6c6c77305c7f6a7d765e6a6c7f7a7b30797168">[email protected]</span></a>.
Nathalie Scharf, Director, St. Louis USEAC, (314) 432-1500,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#377956435f565b5e521964545f56455177434556535219505841"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="216f405549404d48440f7242494053476155534045440f464e57">[email protected]</span></a>.
Cynthia Griffin, RSCO, SSA, + 86-138-1197-8435,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5a1923342e32333b741d28333c3c33341a2e283b3e3f743d352c"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fcbf85928894959dd2bb8e959a9a9592bc888e9d9899d29b938a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Mike Bromley, CO, South Africa, +27 11 290 3227,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a4e9cdc7ccc5c1c88ae6d6cbc9c8c1dde4d0d6c5c0c18ac3cbd2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="2d60444e454c4841036f5f42404148546d595f4c4948034a425b">[email protected]</span></a>.
Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-03228 Filed 2-14-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
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