Mission Statement; Business Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq June, 2008 *, 20608-20610 [E8-8110]
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20608
Notices
Federal Register
Vol. 73, No. 74
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER
contains documents other than rules or
proposed rules that are applicable to the
public. Notices of hearings and investigations,
committee meetings, agency decisions and
rulings, delegations of authority, filing of
petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are
examples of documents appearing in this
section.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection
Service
[Docket No. APHIS–2008–0041]
General Conference Committee of the
National Poultry Improvement Plan;
Solicitation for Membership
Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of solicitation for
membership.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: We are giving notice that the
Secretary of Agriculture is soliciting
nominations for the election of regional
membership for the General Conference
Committee of the National Poultry
Improvement Plan.
DATES: Consideration will be given to
nominations received on or before June
2, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be
addressed to Mr. Andrew R. Rhorer,
Senior Coordinator, National Poultry
Improvement Plan, VS, APHIS, 1498
Klondike Road, Suite 101, Conyers, GA
30094–5104.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr.
Andrew R. Rhorer at the above address
or by telephone at (770) 922–3496.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The
General Conference Committee (the
Committee) of the National Poultry
Improvement Plan (NPIP) is the
Secretary’s Advisory Committee on
poultry health. The Committee serves as
a forum for the study of problems
relating to poultry health and, as
necessary, makes specific
recommendations to the Secretary
concerning ways the U.S. Department of
Agriculture may assist the industry in
addressing these problems. The
Committee assists the Department in
planning, organizing, and conducting
the Biennial Conference of the NPIP.
The Committee recommends whether
new proposals should be considered by
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
the delegates to the Biennial Conference
and serves as a direct liaison between
the NPIP and the United States Animal
Health Association.
Terms will expire for current regional
members of the Committee in June 2008.
We are soliciting nominations from
interested organizations and individuals
to replace members on the Committee
for the South Atlantic Region (Delaware,
Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North
Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West
Virginia, the District of Columbia, and
Puerto Rico), the South Central Region
(Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky,
Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma,
Tennessee, and Texas), and the West
North Central Region (Iowa, Kansas,
Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North
Dakota, and South Dakota). There must
be at least two nominees for each
position. To ensure the
recommendations of the Committee
have taken into account the needs of the
diverse groups served by the
Department, membership should
include, to the extent practicable,
individuals with demonstrated ability to
represent underrepresented groups
(minorities, women, and persons with
disabilities). At least one nominee from
each of the three regions must have a
demonstrated ability to represent an
underrepresented group. The voting will
be by secret ballot of official delegates
from the respective region, and the
results will be recorded.
Done in Washington, DC, this 10th day of
April 2008.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. E8–8093 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410–34–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Form Number(s): None.
OMB Approval Number: 0648–0361.
Type of Request: Regular submission.
Burden Hours: 1,348.
Number of Respondents: 1,750.
Average Hours per Response: Purse
seine vessel marking, 1 hour and 15
minutes; all other vessel marking, 45
minutes.
Needs and Uses: The vessels in
certain federally-regulated fisheries off
the U.S. west coast are required to
display the vessel’s official number in
three locations (port and starboard sides
of the deckhouse or hull, and an
appropriate weather deck). For the
purse seine vessels, the vessel’s official
number is required on the above
locations, one skiff, and one helicopter.
These requirements are necessary to
aid enforcement of fishery regulations.
Affected Public: Business or other forprofit organizations.
Frequency: Annually.
Respondent’s Obligation: Mandatory.
OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker,
(202) 395–3897.
Copies of the above information
collection proposal can be obtained by
calling or writing Diana Hynek,
Departmental Paperwork Clearance
Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of
Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20230 (or via the Internet at
dHynek@doc.gov).
Written comments and
recommendations for the proposed
information collection should be sent
within 30 days of publication of this
notice to David Rostker, OMB Desk
Officer, FAX number (202) 395–7285, or
David_Rostker@omb.eop.gov.
Dated: April 10, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8–8053 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
BILLING CODE 3510–22–P
The Department of Commerce will
submit to the Office of Management and
Budget (OMB) for clearance the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
Agency: National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Title: Southwest Region Vessel
Identification Requirements.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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International Trade Administration
Mission Statement
Mission Statement; Business
Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq
June, 2008 *
Department of Commerce.
Notice.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 16, 2008 / Notices
Mission Description: The United
States Department of Commerce,
International Trade Administration
(ITA) is organizing a Business
Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq, June
2008.* The business development
mission will focus on establishing
business meetings between U.S.
companies and Iraqi companies, for
both export and investment. The
mission will be open to U.S. companies
from all non-petroleum sectors.
Companies with interests in the
housing, financial services, agribusiness/food processing, healthcare,
tourism, IT, transportation, or
franchising sectors will be preferred.
This mission will be led by a Senior
Commerce Department official. ITA will
provide participating U.S. companies an
opportunity to meet with key officials
from the Kurdistan Regional
Government (KRG), local chambers of
commerce and other business groups,
and various Iraqi companies. ITA also
seeks to provide participating U.S.
companies an opportunity to visit key
commercial sites in Erbil. Security will
be furnished by the U.S. Embassy
Regional Reconstruction Team in Erbil,
private hotel security, and the KRG.
Commercial Setting: This mission will
take place in the midst of an economic
and investment boom occurring in the
region. The Kurdistan region is an
autonomous region within Iraq with
special authorities enshrined in Iraq’s
2005 constitution. It has many of its
own laws and its own security force,
which has enabled it to largely escape
the violence seen in other parts of Iraq
since 2004. Indeed, not a single
coalition troop member has died in Iraqi
Kurdistan since 2003.
The economy of Iraqi Kurdistan has
been growing from 8–25% a year over
the past several years. Companies from
neighboring countries, led by Turkey,
currently dominate investment and
trade in Iraqi Kurdistan, followed by
companies from Gulf countries, Asia,
and Europe. Private investment in the
region was $7.6 billion in 2007. U.S.
trade and investment in this region
remains remarkably low in comparison,
however, at less than 2% of the total.
However, U.S. companies are beginning
to take notice of the opportunities in
Iraqi Kurdistan. A Coca-Cola bottling
facility recently opened up near Erbil,
while Ford and General Motors
(Chevrolet) have active dealerships in
the region. Furthermore, pro-American
sentiment runs high in Iraqi Kurdistan,
and both Iraqi Kurdish businesses and
KRG officials are very supportive of U.S.
business activity in the region. Recently
passed legislation on investments
provide exemption from income taxes
for the first ten years of an investment,
unhindered repatriation of project
investment funds and accrued profits,
100 percent foreign ownership of land,
provision of basic services (water,
electricity, sewage, public road access
and telecommunications) on a cost-free
basis up to the boundary of a foreign
investor’s project site, and other
attractive financial incentives.
This mission builds on previous
Commerce Department engagements
with the Government of Iraq, the KRG,
and with Iraq’s private sector. In
February 2008, Secretary Gutierrez
traveled to Baghdad with
representatives from the U.S. private
sector and former ITA Under Secretary
Lavin traveled to Erbil in February 2007
20609
with a similar delegation. Additionally,
Iraqi Kurdistan has hosted numerous
business delegations from Italy, Korea,
Japan, Germany and other advanced
economies seeking to get a foothold in
one of the world’s newest, most
dynamic markets.
Mission Goals: The mission will
facilitate business-to-business meetings
between U.S. companies and their
private sector counterparts in Iraq, as
well as improve U.S. industries’
understanding of the commercial
opportunities in Iraq. The mission will
also facilitate commercial policy
dialogue with the KRG and Iraqi
business groups. The mission aims to:
• Improve U.S. industries’
understanding of the commercial
opportunities in Iraq, and the Kurdistan
Region of Iraq in particular.
• Facilitate business meetings
between U.S. and Iraqi businesses, to
expand U.S. exports to Iraq and U.S.
investment in Iraq.
• Provide Iraqi Kurdish policymakers
with U.S. industry feedback on the
direction of commercial reforms.
• Introduce U.S. industry to the
Kurdistan Region’s business and
government leaders.
Mission Scenario: In Iraq, the
International Trade Administration will:
• Organize roundtable events,
briefings, networking events, and
matchmaking meetings between the
delegation and key U.S. Government
officials, key officials of the KRG, local
companies, and industry groups.
• Arrange for selected site visits to
key commercial sites. (Subject to
security conditions at the time.)
PROPOSED MISSION TIMETABLE *
Day 1 ......................
Day 2 ......................
Day 3 ......................
Day 4 ......................
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Arrive, late afternoon.
Evening trade mission briefing from U.S. Government (USG) representatives.
Morning reception with Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), representatives from various Ministries.
Luncheon roundtable w/U.S. company reps already in Kurdistan.
Afternoon trip to Erbil city center—convention center, citadel, etc.
Evening dinner with banking/services sector reps.
Morning briefing from Erbil Chamber of Commerce, followed by networking and meeting time.
Afternoon briefing from Iraqi Businessmen’s Union-Kurdistan, followed by one-on-one meeting time.
Morning time for one-one-one meetings, free time for trade mission delegates.
Leave, late afternoon.
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating
in the Business Development Mission to
Erbil, Iraq 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. This trade mission is
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
designed for a minimum of 5 and a
maximum of 10 qualified companies.
After a company has been selected to
participate on the mission, a payment to
the Department of Commerce in the
form of a participation fee is required.
The participation fee will be $2,445 per
company. Participating companies will
be restricted to one representative.
Additional representatives from a single
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Sfmt 4703
company will be considered only as
space permits. The fee for an additional
representative will be $1,410. Expenses
for travel, lodging, some meals, and
incidentals will be the responsibility of
each mission participant.
Conditions for Participation
• An applicant must submit a
completed and signed mission
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
20610
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 74 / Wednesday, April 16, 2008 / Notices
jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
application and supplemental
application materials, including
adequate information on the company’s:
products and/or services, primary
market objectives, and goals for
participation. If we receive an
incomplete application, we may either
reject the application or take the lack of
information into account when we
evaluate the applications.
• Each applicant must also:
—Certify that any export of the products
and services that it wishes to export
through the mission would be in
compliance with U.S. export controls
and regulations;
—Certify that it has identified to the
Department of Commerce for its
evaluation any business pending
before the Department of Commerce
that may present the appearance of a
conflict of interest;
—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
—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
company’s/participant’s involvement
in this mission, and (2) maintain and
enforce a policy that prohibits the
bribery of foreign officials.
Selection Criteria for Participation
• Relevance of the company’s
business line to the mission description
and goals;
• Company’s primary business
objectives for participating on this
mission;
• Potential for business in the Iraqi
market;
• Diversity of sectors represented,
with preference given to companies in
the housing, financial services, agribusiness/food processing, healthcare,
tourism, IT, transportation, or
franchising sectors; [Note: This trade
mission is open only to companies
promoting non-petroleum industry
sectors.]
• Capacity and intent to export goods
and/or services from the United States
to Iraq, or capacity and intent to invest
in Iraq.
Additional factors, such as diversity of
company size, type, location,
demographics, and traditional underrepresentation in business, may also be
considered during the review process.
As noted in the criteria above, this
mission is not open to companies
promoting goods or services in the
petroleum sector.
Referrals from political organizations
and any documents, including the
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:19 Apr 15, 2008
Jkt 214001
application, containing references to
partisan political activities (including
political contributions) will be removed
from an applicant’s submission and not
considered during the selection process.
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 (https://www.ita.doc.gov/
doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet
Web sites, 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.
The Office of Business Liaison and the
International Trade Administration will
explore and welcome outreach
assistance from other interested
organizations, including other U.S.
Government agencies. Applications for
the Mission will be made available
April 9, 2008 through May 8, 2008.
Applications can be completed on-line
on the Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force Web site at
https://www.trade.gov/iraq or can be
obtained by contacting the U.S.
Department of Commerce Iraq
Investment and Reconstruction Task
Force at 202–482–5228,
IraqInfo@mail.doc.gov, or via the
contact information below.
The application deadline is May 8,
2008. Completed applications should be
submitted to the Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force.
Applications received after May 8, 2008
will be considered only if space and
scheduling constraints permit.
Disclaimer, Security, and
Transportation
Trade mission members participate in
the trade mission and undertake related
travel at their own risk and are advised
to obtain insurance accordingly. Any
question regarding insurance coverage
must be resolved by the participant and
its insurer of choice. The U.S.
Government does not make any
representations or guarantees as to the
safety or security of participants.
Companies should consult the State
Department’s travel warning for Iraq:
https://travel.state.gov/trave/cis_pa_tw/
tw/tw_921.html.
ITA will coordinate with the U.S.
Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team
in Erbil to arrange for transportation of
the mission participants to and from the
airport and hotel. Transportation for
certain optional activities, including
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
visits to commercial sites in Erbil, may
be provided by the KRG. The hotel that
will be the primary venue for the
mission is a luxury hotel and does have
strong security measures in place.
Security will be furnished by the U.S.
Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team
in Erbil, private hotel security, and the
KRG.
The U.S. Government does not make
any representations or guarantees as to
the commercial success of businesses
which participate in this trade mission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Adam Choppin, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force, E-mail:
adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov,
Telephone: 202–482–5228, Facsimile:
202–482–0980.
*Specific dates redacted. Please
contact Adam Choppin
(adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov or (202)
482–5228) for further information.
Adam Choppin, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force, E-mail:
adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov,
Telephone: 202–482–5228, Facsimile:
202–482–0980.
[FR Doc. E8–8110 Filed 4–15–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DA–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of the Census
2010 Census Advisory Committee
Bureau of the Census,
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of Public Meeting.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The Bureau of the Census
(U.S. Census Bureau) is giving notice of
a meeting of the 2010 Census Advisory
Committee. Committee members will
address policy, research, and technical
issues related to 2010 Decennial Census
Programs. Working groups will be
convened to assist in planning efforts
for the 2010 Census and the American
Community Survey (ACS). Last-minute
changes to the agenda are possible,
which could prevent giving advance
notification of schedule changes.
DATES: May 15–16, 2008. On May 15,
the meeting will begin at approximately
8:15 a.m. and end at approximately 5
p.m. On Friday, May 16, 2008, the
meeting will begin at approximately
8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 12
noon.
ADDRESS: The meeting will be held at
the U.S. Census Bureau Auditorium and
Conference Center, 4600 Silver Hill
Road, Suitland, Maryland 20746.
E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM
16APN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 74 (Wednesday, April 16, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20608-20610]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-8110]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration Mission Statement
Mission Statement; Business Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq
June, 2008 *
AGENCY: Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
[[Page 20609]]
Mission Description: The United States Department of Commerce,
International Trade Administration (ITA) is organizing a Business
Development Mission to Erbil, Iraq, June 2008.* The business
development mission will focus on establishing business meetings
between U.S. companies and Iraqi companies, for both export and
investment. The mission will be open to U.S. companies from all non-
petroleum sectors. Companies with interests in the housing, financial
services, agri-business/food processing, healthcare, tourism, IT,
transportation, or franchising sectors will be preferred. This mission
will be led by a Senior Commerce Department official. ITA will provide
participating U.S. companies an opportunity to meet with key officials
from the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), local chambers of
commerce and other business groups, and various Iraqi companies. ITA
also seeks to provide participating U.S. companies an opportunity to
visit key commercial sites in Erbil. Security will be furnished by the
U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction Team in Erbil, private hotel
security, and the KRG.
Commercial Setting: This mission will take place in the midst of an
economic and investment boom occurring in the region. The Kurdistan
region is an autonomous region within Iraq with special authorities
enshrined in Iraq's 2005 constitution. It has many of its own laws and
its own security force, which has enabled it to largely escape the
violence seen in other parts of Iraq since 2004. Indeed, not a single
coalition troop member has died in Iraqi Kurdistan since 2003.
The economy of Iraqi Kurdistan has been growing from 8-25% a year
over the past several years. Companies from neighboring countries, led
by Turkey, currently dominate investment and trade in Iraqi Kurdistan,
followed by companies from Gulf countries, Asia, and Europe. Private
investment in the region was $7.6 billion in 2007. U.S. trade and
investment in this region remains remarkably low in comparison,
however, at less than 2% of the total. However, U.S. companies are
beginning to take notice of the opportunities in Iraqi Kurdistan. A
Coca-Cola bottling facility recently opened up near Erbil, while Ford
and General Motors (Chevrolet) have active dealerships in the region.
Furthermore, pro-American sentiment runs high in Iraqi Kurdistan, and
both Iraqi Kurdish businesses and KRG officials are very supportive of
U.S. business activity in the region. Recently passed legislation on
investments provide exemption from income taxes for the first ten years
of an investment, unhindered repatriation of project investment funds
and accrued profits, 100 percent foreign ownership of land, provision
of basic services (water, electricity, sewage, public road access and
telecommunications) on a cost-free basis up to the boundary of a
foreign investor's project site, and other attractive financial
incentives.
This mission builds on previous Commerce Department engagements
with the Government of Iraq, the KRG, and with Iraq's private sector.
In February 2008, Secretary Gutierrez traveled to Baghdad with
representatives from the U.S. private sector and former ITA Under
Secretary Lavin traveled to Erbil in February 2007 with a similar
delegation. Additionally, Iraqi Kurdistan has hosted numerous business
delegations from Italy, Korea, Japan, Germany and other advanced
economies seeking to get a foothold in one of the world's newest, most
dynamic markets.
Mission Goals: The mission will facilitate business-to-business
meetings between U.S. companies and their private sector counterparts
in Iraq, as well as improve U.S. industries' understanding of the
commercial opportunities in Iraq. The mission will also facilitate
commercial policy dialogue with the KRG and Iraqi business groups. The
mission aims to:
Improve U.S. industries' understanding of the commercial
opportunities in Iraq, and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq in particular.
Facilitate business meetings between U.S. and Iraqi
businesses, to expand U.S. exports to Iraq and U.S. investment in Iraq.
Provide Iraqi Kurdish policymakers with U.S. industry
feedback on the direction of commercial reforms.
Introduce U.S. industry to the Kurdistan Region's business
and government leaders.
Mission Scenario: In Iraq, the International Trade Administration
will:
Organize roundtable events, briefings, networking events,
and matchmaking meetings between the delegation and key U.S. Government
officials, key officials of the KRG, local companies, and industry
groups.
Arrange for selected site visits to key commercial sites.
(Subject to security conditions at the time.)
Proposed Mission Timetable *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day 1............................. Arrive, late afternoon.
Evening trade mission
briefing from U.S. Government (USG)
representatives.
Day 2............................. Morning reception with
Kurdistan Regional Government
(KRG), representatives from various
Ministries.
Luncheon roundtable w/U.S.
company reps already in Kurdistan.
Afternoon trip to Erbil
city center--convention center,
citadel, etc.
Evening dinner with banking/
services sector reps.
Day 3............................. Morning briefing from Erbil
Chamber of Commerce, followed by
networking and meeting time.
Afternoon briefing from
Iraqi Businessmen's Union-
Kurdistan, followed by one-on-one
meeting time.
Day 4............................. Morning time for one-one-
one meetings, free time for trade
mission delegates.
Leave, late afternoon.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the Business Development
Mission to Erbil, Iraq 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. This trade mission is
designed for a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 10 qualified companies.
After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation
fee is required. The participation fee will be $2,445 per company.
Participating companies will be restricted to one representative.
Additional representatives from a single company will be considered
only as space permits. The fee for an additional representative will be
$1,410. Expenses for travel, lodging, some meals, and incidentals will
be the responsibility of each mission participant.
Conditions for Participation
An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission
[[Page 20610]]
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate
information on the company's: products and/or services, primary market
objectives, and goals for participation. If we receive an incomplete
application, we may either reject the application or take the lack of
information into account when we evaluate the applications.
Each applicant must also:
--Certify that any export of the products and services that it wishes
to export through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export
controls and regulations;
--Certify that it has identified to the Department of Commerce for its
evaluation any business pending before the Department of Commerce that
may present the appearance of a conflict of interest;
--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
--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 company's/participant's involvement in this mission, and (2)
maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign
officials.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Relevance of the company's business line to the mission
description and goals;
Company's primary business objectives for participating on
this mission;
Potential for business in the Iraqi market;
Diversity of sectors represented, with preference given to
companies in the housing, financial services, agri-business/food
processing, healthcare, tourism, IT, transportation, or franchising
sectors; [Note: This trade mission is open only to companies promoting
non-petroleum industry sectors.]
Capacity and intent to export goods and/or services from
the United States to Iraq, or capacity and intent to invest in Iraq.
Additional factors, such as diversity of company size, type, location,
demographics, and traditional under-representation in business, may
also be considered during the review process.
As noted in the criteria above, this mission is not open to
companies promoting goods or services in the petroleum sector.
Referrals from political organizations and any documents, including
the application, containing references to partisan political activities
(including political contributions) will be removed from an applicant's
submission and not considered during the selection process.
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 (https://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/
tmcal.html) and other Internet Web sites, 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. The Office of
Business Liaison and the International Trade Administration will
explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested
organizations, including other U.S. Government agencies. Applications
for the Mission will be made available April 9, 2008 through May 8,
2008. Applications can be completed on-line on the Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force Web site at https://www.trade.gov/iraq or can
be obtained by contacting the U.S. Department of Commerce Iraq
Investment and Reconstruction Task Force at 202-482-5228,
IraqInfo@mail.doc.gov, or via the contact information below.
The application deadline is May 8, 2008. Completed applications
should be submitted to the Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task
Force. Applications received after May 8, 2008 will be considered only
if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Disclaimer, Security, and Transportation
Trade mission members participate in the trade mission and
undertake related travel at their own risk and are advised to obtain
insurance accordingly. Any question regarding insurance coverage must
be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice. The U.S.
Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the
safety or security of participants. Companies should consult the State
Department's travel warning for Iraq: https://travel.state.gov/trave/
cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_921.html.
ITA will coordinate with the U.S. Embassy Regional Reconstruction
Team in Erbil to arrange for transportation of the mission participants
to and from the airport and hotel. Transportation for certain optional
activities, including visits to commercial sites in Erbil, may be
provided by the KRG. The hotel that will be the primary venue for the
mission is a luxury hotel and does have strong security measures in
place. Security will be furnished by the U.S. Embassy Regional
Reconstruction Team in Erbil, private hotel security, and the KRG.
The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees
as to the commercial success of businesses which participate in this
trade mission.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Adam Choppin, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, E-mail:
adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov, Telephone: 202-482-5228, Facsimile: 202-482-
0980.
*Specific dates redacted. Please contact Adam Choppin
(adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov or (202) 482-5228) for further information.
Adam Choppin, U.S. Department of Commerce, Iraq Investment and
Reconstruction Task Force, E-mail: adam.choppin@mail.doc.gov,
Telephone: 202-482-5228, Facsimile: 202-482-0980.
[FR Doc. E8-8110 Filed 4-15-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P
