Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade Mission

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October 4, 2024

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Commerce DepartmentInternational Trade Administration

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 193 (Friday, October 4, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80881-80885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22969]

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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.

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 India,
Singapore, and Hong Kong March 2-8, 2025.
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: Shirreef Loza, Trade Events Task
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,

[[Page 80882]]

telephone (919) 695-6365 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#64370c0d16160101024a280b1e052410160500014a030b12"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a0f3c8c9d2d2c5c5c68eeccfdac1e0d4d2c1c4c58ec7cfd6">[email&#160;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 fifty-one percent 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.
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.

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 India,
Singapore, and Hong Kong--March 2-8, 2025

Summary

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) is
organizing a Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong that will include the Export Markets
Providing Opportunities for Women's Economic Rise (EMPOWER) Asia
Business Conference in Bengaluru, India, Monday, March 3-Tuesday, March
4, 2025. The mission is focused on expanding export opportunities for
U.S. businesses that are founded, led, operated, or owned by members of
underserved communities from industries with growing potential in
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong, but is open to all export-ready U.S.
companies.
All trade mission members will participate in the EMPOWER Asia
Business Conference, which will also be open to U.S. companies not
participating in the trade mission. On Monday, March 3, the EMPOWER
Asia Business Conference will include country briefings, a networking
lunch, afternoon workshops and one-on-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, March 4, the second day of business conference,
participants will take apart in plenary session, break-out sessions,
meeting with U.S. diplomats from the region, and workshops. On Tuesday
afternoon, participants who elect India as one of their trade mission
stops will engage in business-to-business (B2B) meetings in Bengaluru,
India. Wednesday, March 5, will be a travel day for trade mission
participants who elect trade mission stop(s) in Singapore (Thursday,
March 6) and/or Hong Kong (Friday, March 7).
Trade mission participants may apply to participate one, two, or
three trade mission stops. Each trade mission stop will include one-on-
one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents,
distributors and joint-venture partners, and networking events.

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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. This mission is focused on expanding
export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized businesses that are
founded, led, operated, or owned by leaders from underserved
communities with growing potential in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
The mission is horizontal, with various sectors represented, based on
best prospects for U.S. companies in the region.
Best prospect sectors *:

<bullet> Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector and
subsectors:
[cir] cybersecurity
[cir] smart city infrastructure and technology solutions
[cir] artificial intelligence markets and cloud computing
<bullet> Finance and FinTech
<bullet> Healthcare & Biotechnology
<bullet> Clean Energy
<bullet> Environmental Technology
<bullet> Critical and Emerging Technologies
<bullet> Aerospace and Defense, and Space

* Other sectors will not be excluded.
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. In keeping with the U.S. Department of
Commerce's Equity Action Plan, ITA seeks to improve outreach to and
representation of businesses with owners and/or leaders from
underserved communities, including through the Global Diversity Export
Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. This mission will expand
access to export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized
businesses, including those founded, led, operated, or owned by members
of underserved communities from industries with growing potential in
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
This mission is 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.''
In line with the Biden-Harris Administration Executive Orders \1\
and the National Export Strategy chapter on bolstering export
assistance for small businesses and underserved communities, the GDEI
has increased awareness and participation of diverse companies in the
export ecosystem. 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 percent are women-owned; 6 percent are Hispanic-owned; 6
percent are Veteran-owned; and 1 percent are Black or African American-
owned firms. The Department of Commerce, through events such as this
mission 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.
Additionally, based on the 2020-2021 Census Bureau Profile of U.S.
Importing and Exporting Companies and the 2022 Annual Business Survey,
India, Singapore, and Hong Kong were not in the top 10 export markets
ranked for women-owned, Hispanic American-owned, and Native American-
owned small and medium sized-businesses, while India ranked as the 8th
top export market for veteran-owned small and medium-sized businesses
and the 10th top export market for Black or African American-owned
small and medium-sized businesses and Singapore ranked as the 8th top
market for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander-owned small and
medium-sized businesses, indicating room for growth in the region. The
EMPOWER Asia initiative surveying women-owned businesses also ranks
India as a top 4 ``Desirable'' market. Survey participants also
emphasized the need for specific knowledge while entering the Asian
market, including e-commerce, financing, regulatory compliance, and
supply chain resilience. This trade mission in conjunction with the
EMPOWER Asia Business conference will help address an urgent demand to
have region-specific training combined with networking, consultations,
and exposure to new opportunities to unlock these key portals to the
South Asia region.
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\1\ 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), Executive Order 14020 on the Establishment
of the White House Gender Policy Council (March 11, 2021) (E.O.
14020), 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. 14020, incorporated into E.O.
14091: ``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 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 women and girls; 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.''
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The Minority Business Development Agency finds that ``[ex]xporting
creates a competitive advantage for all Minority Business Enterprises
(MBEs), regardless of home country'' and ``significant engagement in
international sales and trade, leads to stronger businesses, creates
new jobs, and in the long-term, contributes to the sustainability of
the commercial ecosystems necessary to create thriving communities.''
Website: Please visit our official mission website for more
information: <a href="https://events.trade.gov/TradeGov/GDEITradeMissiontoIndiaSingaporeandHongKong/">https://events.trade.gov/TradeGov/GDEITradeMissiontoIndiaSingaporeandHongKong/</a>.

Proposed Timetable

This timetable allows for clients to take part in business
matchmaking across the diverse Asian marketplace by offering scheduled
business-to-business meetings in India, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This
structure ensures that each post has set days for meetings that allow
the clients to explore at least three of their best prospects for
business. The final schedule will depend on the availability of host
government and business officials, specific goals of mission
participants, and ground transportation.

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Sunday, March 2, 2025....................... Trade mission participants arrive in Bengaluru, India.
Monday, March 3, 2025....................... Bengaluru:
EMPOWER Asia Business Conference.
Morning: Opening plenary, country briefings, and networking lunch
with key service providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry
specialists.
Afternoon: Asia region Commercial Officer one-on-ones and
workshops and panel discussions.
Evening: Networking Reception.
Tuesday, March 4, 2025...................... Bengaluru:
EMPOWER Asia Business Conference (con't):
Morning: Plenary Session. Asia region Commercial Officer one-on-
ones, workshops and panel discussions.
Mid-day: Closing Session and Lunch.
India Trade Mission Stop:
Afternoon: Selected participants will participate in B2B meetings
with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors, or
joint-venture partners in India.
Evening: Social/Cultural Activity.
Wednesday, March 5, 2025.................... Travel to Singapore and/or Hong Kong.
Thursday, March 6, 2025..................... Singapore Trade Mission Stop:
<bullet> Country Briefings Singapore.
<bullet> B2B Meetings.
<bullet> Travel to Hong Kong, if elected as Trade Mission Stop.
Hong Kong Trade Mission Stop:
<bullet> Rest Day.
Friday, March 7, 2025....................... Hong Kong Trade Mission Stop:
<bullet> Country Briefings Hong Kong.
<bullet> B2B Meetings.
<bullet> Reception.
Saturday, March 8, 2025..................... Optional Cultural Program in Hong Kong for Hong Kong Participants.
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Participation Requirements

All parties interested in participating in the GDEI Trade Mission
to India, Singapore, and Hong Kong 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
above. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 25 firms and/or trade
associations will be selected to participate in the mission on a
rolling basis. Mission stop participation will be limited as follows:
India: 15.
Singapore: 10.
Hong Kong: 10.
Additional delegates may be accepted based on available space. U.S.
firms and/or trade associations already doing business in India,
Singapore, and/or Hong Kong or seeking business in these markets for
the first time may apply.

Fees and Expenses

After a firm or trade association has been selected to participate
on the trade mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the
form of a participation fee is required. The fees are as follows:
<bullet> The participation fee will be $3,500 for small or medium-
sized enterprises (SME) and $6,225 for large firms, which includes the
EMPOWER Asia Business Conference in Bengaluru and one mission stop.
Additional participants will be $1,000 per participant.
<bullet> If a second stop/market is selected for B2B meetings, the
total participation fee will be $5,000 for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME) and $8,750 for large firms. Additional participants
will be $1,750 total per participant.
<bullet> If all three stops/markets are selected for B2B meetings,
the total participation fee will be $6,500 for small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME) and $11,275 for large firms. Additional participants
will be $2,500 total per participant.
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 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.
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

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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 trade mission calendar (<a href="https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions">https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions</a>) and other internet websites, press releases to general
and trade media, direct mail, notices by industry trade associations
and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings,
symposia, conferences, and trade shows. Recruitment for the mission
will begin immediately and conclude no later than December 4, 2024. The
Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants
of selection decisions on a rolling basis until the maximum number of
participants has been selected. Applications received after December 4,
2024, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints
permit.

Contacts

U.S. Contact Information

Nicolas Cervantes, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Harrisburg, PA,
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4907202a2625283a670a2c3b3f28273d2c3a093d3b282d2c672e263f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="410f28222e2d20326f02243337202f3524320135332025246f262e37">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, Tel: 717-678-5275

India Contact Information

Carey Arun, Principal Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service
India--Bengaluru <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#44072536213d6a0536312a0430362520216a232b32"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1c5f7d6e7965325d6e69725c686e7d7879327b736a">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, Tel: +91-44-2857-4477, Anastasia
Mukherjee, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service India--New
Delhi, <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25644b44565144564c440b68504e4d40574f40406551574441400b424a53"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="de9fb0bfadaabfadb7bff093abb5b6bbacb4bbbb9eaaacbfbabbf0b9b1a8">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>, Tel: +91-11-2347-2000

Gemal Brangman,
Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2024-22969 Filed 10-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P

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