Notice2024-09715
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
May 3, 2024
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: Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission to South Africa and Angola--August 19-24, 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 this 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 89 Issue 87 (Friday, May 3, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 87 (Friday, May 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36756-36759]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-09715]
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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:
Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission to South Africa and
Angola--August 19-24, 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
this 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, Trade Events 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#9ed4fbf8f8ecfbe7b0d1faebf3deeaecfffafbb0f9f1e8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="94def1f2f2e6f1edbadbf0e1f9d4e0e6f5f0f1baf3fbe2">[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
canceled.
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 by value.
A trade association/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 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 the 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.
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
[[Page 36757]]
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>).
Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission to South Africa and
Angola--August 19-24, 2024.
Summary
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port
Trade Mission (SSARP TM) to South Africa and Angola from August 19
through August 24, 2024. The objective of this mission is to advance
U.S. national interests and focus on meeting demand for U.S. rail and
port solutions for African markets.
The business development mission will bring 10-15 companies from
U.S. rail and port manufacturers to Johannesburg, South Africa, to
participate in the Southern African Railways Association (SARA)
Conference and to Luanda and Lobito, Angola to meet with officials and
potential buyers focused on the Lobito Corridor, the first strategic
economic corridor launched by President Biden under the flagship G7
Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Initiative (PGI).
ITA will organize a tailored program for U.S. companies exploring
opportunities in African markets and will leverage strong connections
with U.S. interagency partners to lead discussions on trade, financing,
and technical aspects of doing business in Africa. Mission participants
will have the opportunity to meet with transportation leaders at the
SARA Conference, where leaders from across Africa will converge.
Mission participants will participate in the expo and conference,
develop business prospects through ITA-hosted networking events, vetted
business-to-business matchmaking, roundtable discussions with U.S. and
foreign government and industry leaders, product presentations, and
site visits to manufacturing and infrastructure facilities.
Mission participants will receive assistance to secure meetings,
gain greater exposure to African markets, and benefit from the guidance
and insights of ITA's commercial team and the support and expertise of
interagency partners focused on funding and financing opportunities for
U.S. companies working in Africa, including EX-IM Bank, DFC, TDA, and
other USG partners.
South Africa Stop
The anchor event for the SSARP TM is the SARA Conference and
Exhibition (August 21-23, 2024) in Johannesburg, an annual event that
has been gaining traction in recent years (<a href="https://www.sararailconference.com/conference/">https://www.sararailconference.com/conference/</a>). It is closely linked to the
Transportation Committee (<a href="https://www.sadc.int/pillars/transport">https://www.sadc.int/pillars/transport</a>) of
the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which seeks to
increase integration, investment, and development of the rail sector in
southern Africa.
The SARA Conference has traditionally attracted many regional rail
stakeholders (government, parastatals, operating concessionaries, and
service providers) from SADC, primarily in rail, but also mining and
ports. SADC consists of Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, the United Republic of
Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Angola Stop
The second destination for the SSARP TM is Luanda and Lobito in
Angola. Angola was selected as a second stop to increase U.S. rail and
port companies' awareness and engagement in the Lobito Corridor
Project, which is a flagship project under PGI. The Lobito Corridor
will integrate Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the
northwestern part of Zambia, into regional and global markets via
Angola's Port of Lobito. The project represents the largest financial
investment through the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The endeavor
will develop green energy supply chains, and is envisioned to spur
investments in agriculture, telecommunications, natural resources,
logistics, and additional supply-chain sub-sectors in Angola.
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, August 19, 2024........... <bullet> Trade Mission Participants
Johannesburg, South Africa........ Arrive in Johannesburg, South
Africa.
<bullet> No Host Dinner with
Business Development Mission
Participants.
Tuesday, August 20, 2024.......... <bullet> U.S. Embassy Team Briefing.
Johannesburg, South Africa........ <bullet> Policy Roundtable with
interagency partners.
<bullet> One-on-one business
matchmaking.
<bullet> Evening Reception.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024........ <bullet> SARA Conference
Johannesburg, South Africa........ participation.
<bullet> SARA networking events.
<bullet> One-on-one business
matchmaking.
<bullet> Evening Reception.
Thursday, August 22, 2024......... <bullet> SARA Conference
Johannesburg, South Africa-Luanda, participation.
Angola. <bullet> One-on-one business
matchmaking.
<bullet> Site visit to
infrastructure projects.
<bullet> Travel to Luanda, Angola.
Friday, August 23, 2024........... <bullet> U.S. Embassy Team Briefing:
Luanda, Angola-Lobito, Angola..... In-depth discussion on the Lobito
Corridor project.
<bullet> B2B meeting and B2G
meetings: Ministry of
Transportation, Angolan Cargo and
Logistics Certification Regulatory
Agency, local companies currently
providing services to the port of
Luanda, Maritime and Port Institute
Director (TBC).
<bullet> Site Visit to the Port of
Luanda (Operations Tour and meeting
with Luanda Port Board members)
(TBC).
<bullet> Evening Networking
reception.
Saturday, August 24, 2024......... <bullet> Travel to Benguela (one
Lobito, Angola.................... hour flight; take the first
available morning flight).
<bullet> Drive directly to Lobito
infrastructure sites--Conduct port
and rail site visits.
<bullet> B2B meeting and B2G
meetings: Ministry of
Transportation, Angolan Cargo and
Logistics Certification Regulatory
Agency, infrastructure project
leaders, National Institute of
Railways of Angola, Association of
Ports of Angola (TBC).
[[Page 36758]]
<bullet> Evening Networking
Reception.
<bullet> End of Mission.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 a maximum of 15 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
in the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of
a participation fee is required. The participation fee for the Business
Development Mission will be $5,775.00 for small or medium-sized
enterprises (SME)1; and $6,620.00 for large firms or trade
associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large
firm or SME/trade organization) is $1000.00. 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 in 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 canceled, no personal expenses paid in
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation
fees for a canceled 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.
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.
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 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 June 28, 2024. The U.S.
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants
of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after
June 28, 2024, will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit.
Contacts
Luke Yanos, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial
Service Chicago, +1 (872) 327-8038, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3d7148565813645c53524e7d494f5c5958135a524b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="206c554b450e79414e4f536054524144450e474f56">[email protected]</span></a>
Johan van Rensburg, Senior Commercial Specialist--Rail and Mining, U.S.
Embassy, Commercial Section, Johannesburg, South Africa
Mike Bromley, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy, Commercial Section,
Johannesburg, South Africa, +27 (11)-290-3227,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e8a5818b80898d84c6aa9a8785848d91a89c9a898c8dc68f879e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="aee3c7cdc6cfcbc280ecdcc1c3c2cbd7eedadccfcacb80c9c1d8">[email protected]</span></a>
R. Taylor Moore, Commercial Counselor, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S.
Embassy Maputo, Mozambique, +258 84.314.1687, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a5f1c4dcc9cad78be8cacad7c0e5d1d7c4c1c08bc2cad3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4511243c292a376b082a2a37200531372421206b222a33">[email protected]</span></a>
Matthew Case, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service Boston, +1
(617) 565-4309, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#602d0114140805174e230113052014120104054e070f16"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a3eec2d7d7cbc6d48de0c2d0c6e3d7d1c2c7c68dc4ccd5">[email protected]</span></a>
Michel E. Nouafo, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S.
Commercial Service Cleveland, +1 (216) 695-5338,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eea3878d868b82c0a0819b8f8881ae9a9c8f8a8bc0898198"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3974505a515c551777564c585f56794d4b585d5c175e564f">[email protected]</span></a>
Forrest Nielsen, International Trade Specialist, Industry & Analysis,
+1 (202) 839-2363, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b3f5dcc1c1d6c0c79dfddad6dfc0d6ddf3c7c1d2d7d69dd4dcc5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d3b120f0f180e0953331418110e18133d090f1c1918531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>
Mashal Shabbir, Desk Officer, Global Markets
Ian Cook, International Trade Specialist, Industry & Analysis, +1 (202)
617-5303, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ce87afa0e08da1a1a58ebabcafaaabe0a9a1b8"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="95dcf4fbbbd6fafafed5e1e7f4f1f0bbf2fae3">[email protected]</span></a>
Heather McLeod, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service Luanda,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#246c4145504c41560a694748414b406450564540410a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c28aa7a3b6aaa7b0ec8fa1aea7ada682b6b0a3a6a7eca5adb4">[email protected]</span></a>
Mauro Fonseca, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service Luanda,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#db96baaea9b4f59db4b5a8beb8ba9bafa9babfbef5bcb4ad"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6d200c181f02432b02031e080e0c2d191f0c0908430a021b">[email protected]</span></a>
Juanita Harthun, Automotive and Smart Mobility Team Leader, U.S.
Commercial Service Charlotte, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#86ccf3e7e8eff2e7a8cee7f4f2eef3e8c6f2f4e7e2e3a8e1e9f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3e744b5f50574a5f10765f4c4a564b507e4a4c5f5a5b10595148">[email protected]</span></a>
Richard Boll, Senior International Trade Specialist, Industry &
Analysis, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87d5eee4efe6f5e3a9c5e8ebebc7f3f5e6e3e2a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a685359525b485e14785556567a4e485b5e5f145d554c">[email protected]</span></a>
Ryan Russell, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Pittsburgh,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#693b100807473b1c1a1a0c0505291d1b080d0c470e061f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="37654e56591965424444525b5b77434556535219505841">[email protected]</span></a>
[[Page 36759]]
John Tracy, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial
Service Syracuse, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#88c2e7e0e6a6dcfae9ebf1c8fcfae9eceda6efe7fe"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c3613141252280e1d1f053c080e1d1819521b130a">[email protected]</span></a>
Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-09715 Filed 5-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
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