Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade Mission

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Published

October 10, 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: U.S. Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission to IFAT (Internationale Fachausstellung fuer Abwasser Technologie)--May 8-15, 2024. 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 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 194 (Tuesday, October 10, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69901-69904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-22397]

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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:
U.S. Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission to IFAT
(Internationale Fachausstellung fuer Abwasser Technologie)--May 8-15,
2024. 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#bef4dbd8d8ccdbc790f1dacbd3fecaccdfdadb90d9d1c8">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for the Mission

Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals
for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce
to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives
an incomplete application, the Department of Commerce may either:
reject the application, request additional information/clarification,
or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the
application. If the requisite minimum number of participants is not
selected for a particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the
mission may be cancelled.
Each applicant must also certify that the products and services it
seeks to export through the mission are either produced in the United
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a
trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for
each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/
organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or
service provider seeks to export are either produced in the United
States or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at
least 51% U.S. content.
A trade association/organization applicant must certify and agree
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.
Balance of company size and location may also be considered during
the review process. Referrals from a political party or partisan
political group or any information, including on the application,
containing references to political contributions or other partisan
political activities will be excluded from the application and will not
be considered during the selection process. The sender will be notified
of these exclusions. The Department of Commerce will evaluate
applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling
basis until the maximum number of participants has been selected.

[[Page 69902]]

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.
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>).

U.S. Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission to IFAT--
May 8-15, 2024

Summary

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing an Environmental Technologies
Business Development Mission to the IFAT environmental technologies
trade show in Munich, Germany, from May 13-15, 2024, with an optional
program to the Czech Republic and Slovakia from May 8-10, 2024.
The U.S. Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to IFAT will
promote U.S. exports in a range of environmental technology industries,
including water and wastewater management, solid waste management and
recycling, and air pollution monitoring and control. The trade mission
will take place directly preceding and alongside the IFAT trade show in
Munich, Germany--the largest trade show in the world for environmental
technologies. The trade mission will introduce participants to
commercial opportunities in the region and connect them with
prospective partners, distributors, service providers, end-users, and
foreign government decision makers who are seeking U.S. environmental
solutions. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation,
rather than traveling to IFAT individually, will enhance the
participants' ability to secure key business and government meetings
where applicable and to promote their goods and services to a wider,
more targeted, audience.
Participation in the trade mission will include entrance tickets to
IFAT for one delegate from each participating company and tailored
assistance to help delegates connect with participating international
buyers from across Europe and other foreign markets. IFAT presents a
unique opportunity for participants to learn more about the European
market, gain awareness of trends and innovation in the environmental
technologies sector, and meet with prospective business partners and
customers from across the globe. IFAT is a large show, with 18
exhibition halls, an outside live demonstration area, thematic
solutions tours centered around specific technologies and topics, and a
start-up area to spotlight innovative technologies. In 2022, the show
attracted 119,000 visitors from 155 countries and regions and hosted
nearly 3,000 exhibitors. The show also includes a robust conference
program, and along with its innovation spotlights and live
demonstrations, is a leading venue in showcasing the latest trends and
emerging issues in the environmental technologies sector. Trade mission
participants will receive assistance in tailoring a schedule that will
allow them to target the components of the show that are of most
interest to them and connect with potential business partners in
various markets in Europe. Participants will also be able to
participate in exclusive trade mission programming such as networking
receptions, briefings with U.S. Embassy staff, promotional events, and
ad-hoc meetings with potential business partners on the show floor.
The trade mission will include an optional program to Slovakia and
the Czech Republic the week before IFAT for participants interested in
exploring opportunities in those markets via business-to-business
matchmaking meetings and meetings with relevant public sector entities
to learn about commercial opportunities in water, wastewater treatment,
solid waste management and recycling, and air pollution monitoring and
control. According to Environment Business International, the European
market for environmental goods and services was valued at $387 billion
in 2022.

Best Prospects

The below list, while not exhaustive, identifies key products,
services, and technologies that would be an appropriate fit for the
trade mission. ITA is committed to assembling a trade mission
delegation that is representative of a broad range of environmental
technology sectors.

<bullet> Water and wastewater treatment equipment and services
<bullet> Waste management & recycling equipment and services
<bullet> Hazardous waste management
<bullet> Environmental remediation
<bullet> Environmental monitoring & instrumentation
<bullet> Waste-to-energy solutions
<bullet> Digital solutions for wastewater treatment, solid waste
management, and other environmental systems
<bullet> Air pollution monitoring and control technologies
<bullet> Coastal and flood protection

Other Products and Services

Applications from companies exporting products or services within
the scope of this mission, but not specifically identified, will be
considered and evaluated by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Companies
whose products or services do not fit the scope of the mission may
contact their local U.S. Commercial Service office to learn about other
business development missions and services that may provide more
targeted export opportunities. Companies may visit <a href="https://www.trade.gov/contact-us">https://www.trade.gov/contact-us</a> to obtain such information. This information
also may be found on the website: <a href="https://www.trade.gov/">https://www.trade.gov/</a>.

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.

May 8-15, 2024

------------------------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, May 8, 2024............ <bullet> Companies participating in
optional program arrive in
Bratislava via Vienna.
<bullet> No evening programming due
to state holiday.
Thursday, May 9, 2024............. <bullet> Market Briefing on
opportunities in Slovakia.
<bullet> One-on-one business
matchmaking meetings.
<bullet> Networking Reception.
<bullet> Plenary meeting with public
sector and/or industry association.
<bullet> Transport to Prague
(train).

[[Page 69903]]

Friday, May 10, 2024.............. <bullet> Market Briefing on
opportunities in Czech Republic.
<bullet> One-on-one business
matchmaking meetings.
<bullet> Networking Reception.
<bullet> Plenary meeting with public
sector and/or related industry
association.
<bullet> Site visit to be requested.
Saturday-Sunday, May 11-12, 2024.. <bullet> Transport to Munich (train
or air).
Monday, May 13, 2024.............. <bullet> Official Trade Mission
Program Commences.
<bullet> IFAT and Trade Mission
programming.
<bullet> Reception at the State
Chancery.
Tuesday, May 14, 2024............. <bullet> IFAT and Trade Mission
programming.
<bullet> Networking Breakfast.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024........... <bullet> IFAT and Trade Mission
programming.
<bullet> Official Trade Mission
Program Concludes. Delegates may
choose to continue attending IFAT
throughout the week or depart.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

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. A minimum of 10 and maximum of 15 firms
and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in the core
mission at IFAT in Munich, Germany on a rolling basis. When applying to
the mission, applicants will be able to indicate their interest in
participating in the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia. A
minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 firms and/or trade associations will be
selected to participate in the optional program based on their
expressed interest and market suitability.

Fees and Expenses

After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate
in the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the U.S.
Environmental Technologies Business Development Mission will be $850
for SMEs and $1,600 for large firms or trade associations. The fee to
participate in the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia will
be $2,350 for SMEs and $5,000 for large firms or trade associations.
The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/
trade organization) to participate in any portion of the mission 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.
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 above 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-negotiated rates for hotel
rooms during the optional program to Czech Republic and Slovakia. Due
to high demand for hotel space in Munich during the IFAT show,
participants may not have access to U.S. Government-negotiated rates
for that portion of the mission. Applicants who are selected to the
trade mission before December 15, 2023 may be able to participate in
the U.S. Department of Commerce's reserved block of hotel rooms in
Munich, Germany. Applicants selected after this date will be
responsible for arranging their own accommodation in Munich. 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 questions regarding
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer
of choice.
Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and
health conditions in the United States and the mission countries.
Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or
in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event
or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the
event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public and
applicants previously selected to participate in this mission will need
to confirm their availability but need not reapply. Should the decision
be made to organize a virtual program, the Department will adjust fees
accordingly, prepare an agenda for virtual activities, and notify the
previously selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new
virtual program.

Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the
Department of Commerce web page 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
January 12, 2024. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review
applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling
basis. Applications received after January 12, 2024, will be considered
only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Due to high demand in
Munich around the

[[Page 69904]]

IFAT show, hotel space is extremely limited and prospective applicants
are encouraged to apply as early as possible to ensure available hotel
rooms.

Contacts

Megan Hyndman, Team Lead, Climate and Environmental Technologies,
Office of Energy and Environmental Industries, Phone: +1-823-1839,
Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5e8c0c2c4cb8beddccbc1c8c4cbe5d1d7c4c1c08bc2cad3">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Elizabeth Laxague, Global Environmental Technologies Team Leader, U.S.
Commercial Service--Seattle, Phone: +1-206-406-8903, Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#42072e2b38232027362a6c0e233a232537270236302326276c252d34">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Sean Timmins, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Consulate in Munich--
Germany, Phone: +49-151-6772-6689, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f2a197939cdca69b9f9f9b9c81b28680939697dc959d84">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Richard Pales, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Embassy in Prague--Czech
Republic, Phone: +420-257-022-397, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#580a313b30392a3c760839343d2b182c2a393c3d763f372e">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Marian Volent, Head of U.S. Commercial Section, U.S. Embassy in
Bratislava--Slovakia, Phone: +421-2-5922-5310, Email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#773a16051e16195921181b12190337030516131259101801">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Donald Calvert, Desk Officer, Germany, Office of Central & Southeast
Europe, Phone: (202) 482-9128, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d692b9b8b7bab2f895b7baa0b3a4a296a2a4b7b2b3f8b1b9a0">[email&#160;protected]</a>.
Marie Geiger, Desk Officer, Czechia/Slovakia, Office of Central &
Southeast Europe, Phone: (202) 482-6418, Email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6d200c1f0408432a08040a081f2d191f0c0908430a021b">[email&#160;protected]</a>.

Gemal Brangman,
Director, Trade Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-22397 Filed 10-6-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P

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