Notice2024-14648
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
July 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: Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region, November 17-22, 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 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 128 (Wednesday, July 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55224-55228]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-14648]
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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
[[Page 55225]]
one upcoming trade mission that will be recruited, organized, and
implemented by ITA. This mission is: Global Diversity Export Initiative
(GDEI) Trade Mission to the Caribbean Region, November 17-22, 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#f2b897949480978bdcbd96879fb28680939697dc959d84"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="074d62616175627e294863726a47737566636229606871">[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 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 by value.
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 markets. 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 applicant 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 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>).
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to the
Caribbean Region--November 17-22, 2024
Summary
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export
Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to the Caribbean region on November 17-
22, 2024, that will include the ``Opportunities for Minority-Led
Businesses in the Caribbean Region Conference'' in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic on November 17-18, 2024.
Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready
U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations, and
other exporting organizations 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, including through the GDEI. This mission is
focused on expanding export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-
sized businesses with owners and/or leaders from underserved
communities from industries with growing potential in the Caribbean
region. The mission is horizontal, with various sectors represented,
based on best prospects for U.S. companies, such as automotive parts
and services, consumer goods, construction equipment/road building
[[Page 55226]]
machinery/building products/infrastructure projects, medical equipment
and pharmaceuticals, ICT, energy equipment and services, safety and
security equipment, hotel and restaurant equipment, franchising,
manufacturing equipment, yachting/maritime services/sailing equipment,
marine ports, aviation/airports, tourism and related construction,
waste management, and water treatment and supply.
This mission will also support the Department's GDEI, providing
export promotion resources to businesses from underserved communities.
U.S. small and medium-sized businesses with owners and/or leaders from
underserved communities face unique obstacles in accessing overseas
markets, including difficulty obtaining financing and lack knowledge
about export opportunities. This mission will assist U.S. small and
medium-sized businesses with owners and/or leaders from underserved
communities to find partners and begin or expand their exports in seven
markets. With almost 272,000 U.S. small and medium-sized businesses
exporting, the limited number of companies from underserved communities
participating in international trade is in stark contrast with the
total universe of exporters. According to the most recent Census data
(2021), from a sample of approximately 146,000 firms that export, 15%
are women-owned; 6% are Hispanic-owned; 6% are veteran-owned; and 1%
are Black or African American-owned firms. Additionally, based on the
2020-2021 Census Bureau Profile of U.S. Importing and Exporting
Companies and the 2022 Annual Business Survey, Caribbean countries were
not in the top 15 markets ranked for women-owned small and medium-sized
businesses and veteran-owned small and medium-sized businesses, while
the Dominican Republic ranked as the 4th top export market for Hispanic
American and Native American-owned small and medium-sized businesses
and Jamaica ranked as the 8th top export market for Black or African
American-owned small and medium sized businesses, indicating room for
export growth to the Caribbean region among . Through these events, the
Department of Commerce seeks to continue to scale the next generation
of innovation, maintain global competitiveness, and ensure that more
diverse businesses benefit from harnessing the potential of exports.
Trade mission participants will arrive in Santo Domingo, Dominican
Republic on November 17 to attend the opening reception for the
``Opportunities for Minority-Led Businesses in the Caribbean Region
Conference'', which is also open to U.S. companies not participating in
the trade mission. The Business Conference will focus on regional and
industry-specific sessions and will gather experts on market entry
strategies, logistics, procurement, trade financing, access to capital,
and other important topics to assist minorities business exporters. The
registration fee for the business conference is included in the trade
mission costs.
On Sunday November 17, trade mission participants will participate
in a networking lunch with a trade mission markets briefing, one-on-one
meetings (U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists from nine U.S.
Embassies across the Caribbean region will be available), and a
networking reception. On Monday November 18, participants will engage
in the business conference that will include a morning plenary session,
a networking lunch, afternoon workshops and one-one-one meetings with
key service providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists,
information and material on trade-related resources, and an evening
networking reception. On Tuesday November 19, selected participants
will either engage in business-to-business (B2B) meetings in Santo
Domingo if approved for the Dominican Republic Trade Mission stop, or
travel to other markets in the region to engage in B2B appointments in
those markets. B2B meetings will be conducted with pre-screened
potential buyers, agents, distributors or joint-venture partners, in
the selected city/market in the Dominican Republic, and/or Barbados/
Eastern Caribbean, and/or Guyana, and/or Jamaica, and/or Suriname, and/
or The Bahamas and/or Trinidad and Tobago.
The combination of the Opportunities for Minority-Led Businesses in
the Caribbean Region Conference and B2B matchmaking opportunities in
seven markets will provide participants with substantive information on
strategies for entering or expanding their business in the Caribbean
region, key contacts with Commercial Service and State Department
officers and local staff, and networking opportunities to build vital
business relationships.
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), Executive Order
14091 on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government (February 22, 2022) (E.O.
14091), 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'' 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 aspires
to ``harness the talents and strengths of all parts of the country,
including women, people of color, and others who are too often left
behind'' including by ``[s]trengthen[ing] small businesses in
underserved communities by helping them be successful exporters''.
Website: Please visit our official mission website for more
information: <a href="https://events.trade.gov/TradeGov/GDEITradeMissionCaribbeanRegion">https://events.trade.gov/TradeGov/GDEITradeMissionCaribbeanRegion</a>.
Proposed Timetable
This timetable allows for clients to take part in business
matchmaking across the Caribbean region marketplace by offering
scheduled business-to-business meetings in the Dominican Republic, and/
or Barbados/Eastern Caribbean, and/or Guyana, and/or Jamaica, and/or
Suriname, and/or The Bahamas and/or Trinidad and Tobago. This structure
ensures that each post has set days for meetings that allow the clients
to explore at least two of their best prospects for business. The final
schedule will depend on the availability of host government and
business officials, specific goals of mission participants, and ground
transportation.
[[Page 55227]]
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November 16, 2024............ Travel Day/Arrival in Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic.
November 17, 2024............ Dominican Republic. Business Conference.
Afternoon: Registration, U.S. Embassy
Officer Meetings and Market Briefings.
Evening: Networking Reception.
November 18, 2024............ Dominican Republic. Business Conference.
Morning: Registration. Plenary Session.
Afternoon: U.S. Embassy Officer Meetings
and Workshops. Evening: Networking
Reception.
B2BMeeting Options:
November 19-22, 2024..... Travel to Business-to-Business Meetings
in (up to two markets): Option (A)
Dominican Republic. Option (B) Barbados/
Eastern Caribbean. Option (C) Guyana.
Option (D) Jamaica. Option (E) Suriname.
Option (F) The Bahamas. Option (G)
Trinidad and Tobago.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of
Commerce GDEI Trade Mission to the Caribbean region must complete and
submit an application package for consideration by the U.S. 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 30 firms and/or trade associations
will be selected to participate in the mission on a first come, first
served basis. During the registration process, applicants will be able
to select the countries for which they would like to receive a brief
market assessment. Upon receipt of market assessment reports, they will
be able to select up to two stops for B2B meetings.
All selected Trade Mission participants will attend the business
conference in Santo Domingo and will have the opportunity for B2B
meetings in up to two countries from the Dominican Republic, Barbados/
Eastern Caribbean, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, The Bahamas, and Trinidad
and Tobago.
The number of firms that may be selected for B2B meetings in each
country is as follows: 15 for the Dominican Republic, 5 for Barbados/
Eastern Caribbean, 5 for Guyana, 5 for Jamaica, 5 for Suriname, 3 for
The Bahamas, and 5 for Trinidad and Tobago.
The trade mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business in
The Caribbean region who are seeking to expand their market share and
to those U.S. firms new to these markets.
Fees and Expenses
After a firm or trade association is 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 cities can be selected for
business-to-business meetings.
The fees are as follow:
If only one stop 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 stops 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 fees above include the Opportunities for
Minority-Led Businesses in the Caribbean Region Conference registration
fee of $500 for one participant per firm.
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 above is required. Upon notification of
acceptance, those selected have five 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 the 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 U.S.
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 any 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 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. The Commerce Department may
also work with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the
Organization of Minorities in International Trade to promote the
mission.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than Friday, September 27, 2024. The U.S. Department of Commerce
will review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling
basis until the minimum or 20 or maximum of 30
[[Page 55228]]
participants are selected. After Friday, September 27, 2024, companies
will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
U.S. Trade Americas Team Contact Information
Diego Gattesco, Director/Trade Americas Team Leader--U.S. Commercial
Service Wheeling, WV; <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#afebc6cac8c081e8cedbdbcadcccc0efdbddcecbca81c8c0d9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0a4e636f6d65244d6b7e7e6f7969654a7e786b6e6f246d657c">[email protected]</span></a>; Tel: 304-243-5493
CS Dominican Republic Contact Information
Jennifer Kane, Senior Commercial Officer--U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eba18e8585828d8e99c5a08a858eab9f998a8f8ec58c849d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="79331c1717101f1c0b573218171c390d0b181d1c571e160f">[email protected]</span></a>.
Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-14648 Filed 7-2-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
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