Mission Statement; Middle East Public Health Mission, June 5-10, 2010, 3206-3209 [2010-928]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2010 / Notices
Migratory Species Management Team
(HMSMT) will hold a work session,
which is open to the public.
DATES: The HMSMT work session will
start on Tuesday, February 23, 2010,
and finish on Thursday, February 25,
2010. The meetings will start each day
at 8:30 a.m. and continue to the finish
of business each day.
The work sessions will be
held in the Green Room at the La Jolla
Shores Building, National Marine
Fisheries Service Southwest Fisheries
Science Center, 8604 La Jolla Shores
Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037; telephone:
(858) 334–2800.
Council address: Pacific Fishery
Management Council, 7700 NE
Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland,
OR 97220-1384.
ADDRESSES:
Dr.
Kit Dahl, Pacific Fishery Management
Council; telephone: (503) 820–2280.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
At their
work session the HMSMT will discuss:
Development of an amendment to the
Fishery Management Plan for West
Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory
Species to address new guidelines for
National Standard 1 in the MagnusonStevens Conservation and Management
Act, as amended; management options
for limiting effort in the west coast
albacore troll/baitboat fishery; and
preparation of the HMS Stock
Assessment and Fishery Evaluation
(SAFE) report. The HMSMT will also
hear reports on an electronic logbook
feasibility study and current west coast
Marine Recreational Information
Program funded projects.
Although non-emergency issues not
contained in the meeting agenda may be
discussed, those issues may not be the
subject of formal action during these
meetings. Action will be restricted to
those issues specifically listed in this
document and any issues arising after
publication of this document that
require emergency action under section
305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act,
provided the public has been notified of
the intent to take final action to address
the emergency.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Special Accommodations
The meetings are physically
accessible to people with disabilities.
Requests for sign language
interpretation or other auxiliary aids
should be directed to Ms. Carolyn Porter
at (503) 820–2280 at least 5 days prior
to the meeting date.
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Dated: January 14, 2010.
Tracey L. Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable
Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2010–954 Filed 1–19–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–22–S
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Mission Statement; Middle East Public
Health Mission, June 5–10, 2010
AGENCY: International Trade
Commission, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
Mission Description
The United States Department of
Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign
Commercial Service (CS), is organizing
a Public Health Trade Mission to Riyadh
and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and Doha,
Qatar, from June 5–10, 2010. Led by a
senior Department of Commerce official,
the mission will focus on two important
public health issues: (1) Patient
healthcare and (2) water and waste
management. The mission will provide
an excellent venue for U.S. companies
to promote equipment, services, and
technologies in a range of public health
sectors, including hospital and clinical
laboratory equipment; pharmaceuticals;
health care technologies; public health
education; hospital construction and
design; IT software; and waste
management including medical waste;
incinerators, bio-mass technology,
recycling and integrated solid waste
management services, water and sewage
treatment plants; water desalinization
and water distribution.
Commercial Setting
Saudi Arabia and Qatar offer solid
business opportunities in this region for
the public health sectors. Increasing
populations and rapid urbanization in
recent years are creating strong demand
for healthcare and water and waste
management. Authorities are constantly
at work meeting growing demands for
basic public health concerns.
Both countries are upgrading and
expanding hospitals and increasing the
focus on healthcare for the population.
Public and private sector healthcare
systems are seeking a wide range of new
equipment, technologies, and solutions.
Concurrently, water resources are in
critical demand in a region where water
tables are decreasing, creating need for
more effective water treatment and
management. Waste management, from
sewage to medical waste, is also a
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concern as the countries are looking for
solutions.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar rely heavily
on imports in these key public health
sectors. U.S equipment, technology, and
know how enjoy an excellent reputation
here. Business is done on the basis of
contacts and U.S. exporters will need to
travel to the region to develop strong
working relationships with locally
based agents or distributors.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi economy is growing
rapidly. Since 2002, Saudi Arabia has
enjoyed budget surpluses every year and
the country carried large cash reserves
of $452 billion in 2009. Saudi Arabia is
the largest free market economy in the
region with a nominal GDP expected at
$460 billion in 2009.
Medical Equipment and Healthcare
Sector
Between now and 2016, the
population of Saudi Arabia is expected
to grow by more than 20%, from 23
million to 30 million, which, in turn,
will create an unprecedented demand
for healthcare services. Saudi Arabia
remains the Gulf region’s largest and
most developed market for medical
products and services, valued at $13.1
billion. The introduction of compulsory
healthcare insurance, the gradually
aging population, and greater material
wealth along with an upsurge in
lifestyle diseases all combine to boost
demand for healthcare services.
From 2009 to 2016 health
expenditures are expected to increase
dramatically, even faster than the 20%
rate of population growth. Over the
same period, demand for hospital beds
is likely to grow from 51,000 to 70,000,
demand for physicians is likely to rise
from 40,000 to 54,000 and the number
of hospitals is likely to rise from 364 to
502. The government allocated $13.9
billion for the healthcare sector in the
2009 budget, 17% more than in 2008.
The funds were used to finance 86 new
hospitals with 11,750 beds and
additional Primary Healthcare Centers
(PHC). Government spending on the
healthcare sector is expected to grow to
over $20 billion by 2016 annually.
Water Resources
Saudi Arabia is the third largest
consumer of water per capita in the
world, but has limited groundwater to
tap. The country has been plagued by
shortages in recent years, and with
consumption from a rising population
and economic growth set to soar.
Desalination forms the backbone of the
government’s water strategy. Some 30
desalination plants have already been
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 12 / Wednesday, January 20, 2010 / Notices
built by the state, but these have barely
been able to keep pace with rising
demand. Building on a master plan
drawn up in 2002, the government has
committed $6 billion a year to bolster
the water sector over the next two
decades.
Saudi Arabia’s leaky water supply
and wastewater pipeline network is also
receiving massive investment, mainly
through public private partnerships
(PPPs). Wastewater treatment
management is also being opened up to
the private sector in a separate program.
Mindful of the expense involved in all
this and the need to conserve water, the
Saudi Government is working on a
number of large projects, primarily in
the water and sewage sectors, in an
attempt to meet the needs posed by
rising population and industrial growth.
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Solid Waste Management
Saudi Arabia’s rapid industrialization,
construction, and urbanization have
increased levels of pollution and waste.
The Saudi government recognizes the
critical demand for waste management
solutions, and is investing heavily in
solving this problem. The 2008 national
budget allocates: (1) $4.5 billion for the
municipal services sector, which
includes water drainage and waste
disposal; and, (2) $7.6 billion for the
water, agriculture and infrastructure
sector, which includes sanitation
services and desalination plants.
The Kingdom’s five-year plan for
infrastructure and public sector building
that ended last year was valued at over
$53 billion. Six mega cities are under
construction, and hundreds of
thousands of housing units are to be
constructed. All projects will produce
waste requiring the latest in recycling
and waste management. Yet, this multibillion dollar sector continues to be
under-developed, and holds substantial
business opportunities for American
companies.
Qatar
Qatar’s economy is growing at an
extraordinary rate, presenting U.S. firms
with excellent export opportunities.
Qatar’s robust GDP growth, among the
fastest in the world, is mainly attributed
to ongoing increases in production and
exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG),
oil, and petrochemicals products.
Commercial ties between the United
States and Qatar have expanded at a
rapid pace. Between 2003 and 2008,
trade volumes grew by more than 340%,
from $738 million to $3.2 billion. Over
the same period, U.S. exports increased
580 percent to $2.7 billion, making the
United States the largest import partner
for Qatar. In 2008, Qatar was the United
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States’ fifth largest export market in the
Middle East.
Medical Equipment and Healthcare
Sector
Health care is a priority concern for
the Qatari leadership. The country is
investing billions in developing modern
medical facilities to cope with rapid
population growth. According to the
latest data, Qatar has nine hospitals and
23 health centers. In Qatar, healthcare
services are either free or highly
subsidized. According to the latest
industry data available, government
health expenditures account for 14.9
percent of total government
expenditures.
Currently, three public hospitals are
being built at the $1 billion Hamad
Medical City, which in total will
provide 1,100 additional beds. The
facilities will provide pediatric, trauma
and orthopedic care, as well as a
nursing home for the elderly and a renal
dialysis unit. A 300-bed community
hospital is also under construction in
Al-Wakrah. The largest healthcare
project under way in Qatar is the $2.4
billion Sidra Medical & Research Center
at Education City. Due to open in 2012
with infrastructure to house 550 beds,
Sidra has been designed as a ‘‘five-star’’
hospital with the long-term vision to
become a referral center for patients
from across the region. These new
facilities will significantly expand
Qatar’s healthcare system within the
next few years.
Water Resources
Over the past decade, Qatar has had
one of the fastest growth rates in water
usage in the Gulf, at around 16 percent
annually. Qatar consumes over 219
million gallons of water per day, 99% of
which comes from desalination plants.
Qatar’s desalination capacity will total
324 million gallons per day in 2010, but
water consumption is expected to reach
380 million gallons per day by 2013. As
population and industrial growth push
needs to high levels, the nation’s water
authorities are contending with some of
the highest per capita water
consumption rates in the world.
The Qatar Electricity and Water
Company (QEWC) committed $7.5
billion in January 2009 to increase
power capacity and to raise water
capacity to more than 300 million
gallons per day. QEWC is set to
implement the largest power generation
and water desalination project in Qatar.
The project is estimated to cost around
$3.85 billion and will have a capacity of
63 million gallons of water per day. In
addition, plans are being drawn up for
a new 30–50 million gallons per day
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desalination plant to plug an anticipated
water shortfall by 2011–13. Preliminary
studies are also being made to
determine the best location for further
water desalination plants.
Solid Waste Management
Qatar has emerged as a fast
developing country with growing
environmental problems associated with
rapid urbanization and population
influx. There is an urgent demand for
basic infrastructure to support economic
growth, especially for waste
management. The annual per capita
waste generation rate in Qatar is about
430 kilograms per person, which is
relatively high among industrialized
country standards.
In addition to its own population
growth, the number of travelers to the
country is increasing. For example,
business travel to the country is
expected to grow by 20% over the next
five years. Thirteen million passengers
pass though the current air terminal
each year, while the new airport expects
to see 24 million passengers a year. This
influx of tourist place even more strains
on Qatar’s existing capacity to handle
solid waste.
Mission Goals
The objective of this trade mission is
to introduce U.S. companies to
distributors, public and private buying
agents and other potential business
partners. The mission will focus on
identifying opportunities for sales for
patient healthcare and water and waste
management. The mission will
additionally seek to acquaint U.S.
companies with the local market
environments for public health
equipment so as to facilitate their ability
to effectively introduce their products to
the region.
Mission Scenario
Participants will visit three of the
region’s key metropolitan centers. The
mission will have access to major
countrywide markets, as well as central
government officials and U.S. Embassy
staff for regulatory and business climate
briefings.
Riyadh—the capital of Saudi Arabia.
Government Ministries and many
decisionmakers are based here.
Jeddah—the business capital of Saudi
Arabia offers extensive opportunities in
the public healthcare sector.
Doha—the capital of Qatar, a Gulf
Emirate, offers business-friendly
commercial procedures and political
stability.
During the trade mission participants
will receive: (A) Briefings on public
health markets in each city visited;
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(B) introductions to potential agents/
distributors, facility administrators, and
purchasing managers through group
events; (C) site visits if applicable;
(D) one-on-one meetings tailored to each
firm’s interests; and (E) meetings with
local business representatives and
government officials, as appropriate.
Proposed Mission Timetable
Day of week
Date
Activity
Friday ...................................
June 4; Riyadh ...................
Saturday ...............................
June 5; Riyadh ...................
Sunday .................................
June 6; Riyadh ...................
Monday ................................
June 7; Riyadh/Jeddah ......
Tuesday ...............................
June 8; Jeddah/Doha .........
Wednesday ..........................
June 9; Doha ......................
Thursday ..............................
June 10; Doha ....................
Arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Informal dinner and greeting by U.S. Commercial
Service staff.
Mission meetings officially start; Breakfast briefing from Riyadh Embassy staff;
Group meeting with local U.S. business executives; One-on-one business appointments; Evening business reception.
One-on-one business appointments in Riyadh; Possible site visit—choice of hospital or waste/water treatment facility.
Travel to Jeddah as a group in the morning; One-on-one business appointments in
Jeddah; Possible site visit; Possible Evening business reception or informal dinner.
One-on-one business meetings; Travel to Doha, Qatar as a group in the late afternoon; Informal dinner in Doha.
Commercial briefings from Embassy staff; One-on-one business appointments;
Group meeting with local U.S. business executives; Evening business reception.
One-on-one business meetings; Round table discussion with U.S. companies in
Qatar; Possible site visit in afternoon visit—choice of hospital or waste/water;
treatment facility.
Note: The final schedule and potential site
visits will depend on the availability of local
government and business officials, specific
goals of mission participants, and air travel
schedules.
Participation Requirements
All persons interested in participating
in the Public Health Trade Mission to
Saudi Arabia and Qatar 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 25 companies
will be selected to participate in the
mission from the applicant pool. U.S.
companies already doing business in the
Middle East as well as U.S. companies
seeking to enter the region for the first
time are encouraged to apply.
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Fees and Expenses
After a company or trade organization
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
will be $4,590 for large firms and $3,550
for a small or medium-sized enterprise
(SME) 1 or small organization, which
will cover one representative.2 The fee
for each additional firm representative
1 An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer
employees or that otherwise qualifies as a small
business under SBA regulations (see https://
www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/
sizestandardstopics/).
2 Parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries
will be considered when determining business size.
The dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service’s
user fee schedule that became effective May 1, 2008
(see https://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/
initiatives.html for additional information).
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16:06 Jan 19, 2010
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(large firm or SME) is $600. Expenses
for travel, lodging, most meals, and
incidentals will be the responsibility of
each mission participant.
Conditions for Participation
• An applicant must submit a
completed and signed mission
application and supplemental
application materials, including
adequate information on the company’s
products and/or services, primary
market objectives, and goals for
participation. If the U.S. Department of
Commerce receives an incomplete
application, the Department may reject
the application, request additional
information, or take the lack of
information into account when
evaluating the applications.
• 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,
marketed under the name of a U.S. firm
and have at least 51 percent U.S.
content of the value of the finished
product or service.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Selection will be based on the
following criteria:
• Suitability of the company’s
products or services to the Saudi and
Qatar markets.
• Applicant’s potential for business
in Saudi and Qatar, including likelihood
of exports resulting from the mission.
• Consistency of the applicant’s goals
and objectives with the stated scope of
the mission (as an example—be in the
public health sectors indicated in the
mission description).
Referrals from political organizations
and any documents containing
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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, notices by
industry trade associations and other
multiplier groups, and publicity at
industry meetings, symposia,
conferences, and trade shows. CS Saudi
Arabia and CS Qatar will work in
conjunction with Global Trade
Programs, which will serve as a key
facilitator in establishing strong
commercial ties to the U.S. companies
in the targeted sectors nationwide.
Recruitment for the mission will
begin immediately and conclude no
later than Wednesday, March 31, 2010.
The U.S. Department of Commerce will
review all applications immediately
after the deadline. We will inform
applicants of selection decisions as soon
as possible after March 31, 2010.
Applications received after the deadline
will be considered only if space and
scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
Ms. Jeanne Townsend, Baltimore U.S.
Export Assistance Center, Tel: 410–
962–4518, Fax: 410–962–4529, Email: jtownsen@mail.doc.gov,
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Ms. Lisa C. Huot, U.S. Department of
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230,
Tel: 202–482–2796, Fax: 202–482–
0115, E-Mail: Lisa_Huot@ita.doc.gov.
Sean Timmins,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service
Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010–928 Filed 1–19–10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Mission Statement: U.S. Aerospace
Business Development Mission to
Canada, April 14–15, 2010
AGENCY: International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
Mission Description
The United States Department of
Commerce’s International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign
Commercial Service is organizing a U.S.
Aerospace Business Development
Mission to Montreal, Canada, April 14–
15, 2010. This aerospace mission is
designed to provide U.S. aerospace
export-ready, small to medium-sized
companies (SMEs) with a highly
efficient and cost-effective opportunity
to establish profitable commercial
relations with prospective agents,
distributors and end-users in Canada’s
aerospace market. Participating U.S.
companies will receive market
intelligence briefings by Canadian
industry experts, networking
opportunities and most importantly,
pre-scheduled, pre-screened one-on-one
meetings with Canadian aerospace
company representatives. Mission
participants will also benefit from
visiting key local aerospace original
equipment manufacturers (OEM) and
speaking with procurement managers
about supply chain opportunities. This
mission is an ideal opportunity for U.S.
aerospace companies to gain valuable
international business experience in a
low risk, highly important aerospace
market.
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Commercial Setting
Canada is a very receptive market to
U.S. goods and services and presents an
ideal opportunity for the U.S.
Commercial Service, both in the United
States and Canada, to broaden and
deepen the U.S. exporter base and help
U.S. SMEs achieve export success. The
United States and Canada share the
largest and most dynamic commercial
relationship in the world. In 2008, twoway merchandise trade crossing our
common border with Canada stood at
US$596.9 billion, or more than US$1.6
billion per day as U.S. exports to
Canada grew by 5.0 percent. Today, U.S.
trade with Canada exceeds total U.S.
trade with the 27 countries of the
European Union combined. Canada also
represents the number one export
market for 36 of our 50 States and is
among the top five export markets for
another ten States. The aerospace
industry has been identified as one of
Canada’s best prospects.
In 2008, Canada was the fourth largest
export market for U.S. aerospace
products, generating close to US$7.5
billion in U.S. export sales. Canada’s
aerospace industry is the fifth largest in
the world; in 2008 total aerospace sales
were US$22.6 billion. Industry
estimates show that the aerospace
industry will experience nearly flat
growth next year, and will begin to pick
up more rapidly in 2011. Canada is a
world leader in the global aerospace
industry and a market leader in regional
aircraft, commercial helicopters, turbine
engines, flight simulators and a broad
range of aircraft systems, components
and equipment. Quebec is at the heart
of the Canadian Aerospace Industry.
Over 60 percent of all Canadian
aerospace production and
approximately 70 percent of Canadian
aerospace research and development is
performed within a 30-mile radius of
Montreal. Quebec’s aerospace industry
alone is the sixth largest in the world.
Montreal is home to renowned
industry leaders such as Bombardier
Aerospace, Bell Helicopter Textron,
Pratt & Whitney Canada, and CAE. To
this exceptional concentration of world
leaders, we can add other big names
´
such as Rolls-Royce Canada, Heroux
Devtek, Messier-Dowty, CMC
Electronics—Esterline, Thales, and
many other suppliers, mostly SMEs,
which form a cluster of over 250
aerospace firms.
Canada’s geographic proximity, open
market economy, stable business
Tuesday, April 13, 2009 ..........................................................................
Wednesday, April 14, 2009 ....................................................................
Thursday, April 15, 2009 ........................................................................
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climate and receptivity to U.S. goods
and services make it the number one
gateway to the international
marketplace for thousands of U.S.
export-ready SMEs. The North
American Free Trade Agreement
(NAFTA), which provides U.S. NAFTA
qualifying products with duty-free entry
into Canada, also contributes to the
relatively low-cost, low-risk, access that
U.S. SMEs can use to prosper and grow
in the Canadian marketplace.
Mission Goals
The trade mission’s goal is to
introduce U.S. suppliers of aerospace
products to Canadian potential endusers and partners, including potential
agents, distributors, and licensees, with
the aim of creating business
partnerships that will contribute to
increasing U.S. exports to the Canadian
aerospace market, particularly the
aircraft and aircraft parts market.
Mission Scenario
Participants in the mission to Canada
will benefit from a full range of business
facilitation and trade promotion services
provided by the U.S. Commercial
Service in Canada. Participants will
receive a briefing by a panel of experts
on the Canadian aerospace market, as
well as an overview of the country’s
economic and political environment.
The mission will also include one-onone business meetings between U.S.
participants and potential Canadian
end-users and partners, networking
opportunities, and tours of some of the
largest original aerospace
manufacturers, where companies will
have the opportunity to meet senior
OEM representatives and learn about
planned projects and expected
procurement needs. Prior to the end of
the mission, Commercial Service staff
will counsel participants on follow-up.
CS Canada will work with the
following Canadian Aerospace Industry
multipliers to help provide access
mission participants: Quebec Ministry
of Economic Development, Export and
Innovation, Industry Canada, the
Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs
and International Trade and the Quebec
Aerospace Association.
Proposed Mission Timetable
The proposed schedule allows for
about two full days in Montreal.
Mission members arrive in Montreal; Welcome Dinner.
Market briefing; Business matchmaking; Networking event.
Visits to Canadian aerospace OEMs and opportunity to meet with
procurement managers; Debriefing; Departure from Montreal.
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 12 (Wednesday, January 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3206-3209]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-928]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Mission Statement; Middle East Public Health Mission, June 5-10,
2010
AGENCY: International Trade Commission, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS), is organizing
a Public Health Trade Mission to Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and
Doha, Qatar, from June 5-10, 2010. Led by a senior Department of
Commerce official, the mission will focus on two important public
health issues: (1) Patient healthcare and (2) water and waste
management. The mission will provide an excellent venue for U.S.
companies to promote equipment, services, and technologies in a range
of public health sectors, including hospital and clinical laboratory
equipment; pharmaceuticals; health care technologies; public health
education; hospital construction and design; IT software; and waste
management including medical waste; incinerators, bio-mass technology,
recycling and integrated solid waste management services, water and
sewage treatment plants; water desalinization and water distribution.
Commercial Setting
Saudi Arabia and Qatar offer solid business opportunities in this
region for the public health sectors. Increasing populations and rapid
urbanization in recent years are creating strong demand for healthcare
and water and waste management. Authorities are constantly at work
meeting growing demands for basic public health concerns.
Both countries are upgrading and expanding hospitals and increasing
the focus on healthcare for the population. Public and private sector
healthcare systems are seeking a wide range of new equipment,
technologies, and solutions. Concurrently, water resources are in
critical demand in a region where water tables are decreasing, creating
need for more effective water treatment and management. Waste
management, from sewage to medical waste, is also a concern as the
countries are looking for solutions.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar rely heavily on imports in these key public
health sectors. U.S equipment, technology, and know how enjoy an
excellent reputation here. Business is done on the basis of contacts
and U.S. exporters will need to travel to the region to develop strong
working relationships with locally based agents or distributors.
Saudi Arabia
The Saudi economy is growing rapidly. Since 2002, Saudi Arabia has
enjoyed budget surpluses every year and the country carried large cash
reserves of $452 billion in 2009. Saudi Arabia is the largest free
market economy in the region with a nominal GDP expected at $460
billion in 2009.
Medical Equipment and Healthcare Sector
Between now and 2016, the population of Saudi Arabia is expected to
grow by more than 20%, from 23 million to 30 million, which, in turn,
will create an unprecedented demand for healthcare services. Saudi
Arabia remains the Gulf region's largest and most developed market for
medical products and services, valued at $13.1 billion. The
introduction of compulsory healthcare insurance, the gradually aging
population, and greater material wealth along with an upsurge in
lifestyle diseases all combine to boost demand for healthcare services.
From 2009 to 2016 health expenditures are expected to increase
dramatically, even faster than the 20% rate of population growth. Over
the same period, demand for hospital beds is likely to grow from 51,000
to 70,000, demand for physicians is likely to rise from 40,000 to
54,000 and the number of hospitals is likely to rise from 364 to 502.
The government allocated $13.9 billion for the healthcare sector in the
2009 budget, 17% more than in 2008. The funds were used to finance 86
new hospitals with 11,750 beds and additional Primary Healthcare
Centers (PHC). Government spending on the healthcare sector is expected
to grow to over $20 billion by 2016 annually.
Water Resources
Saudi Arabia is the third largest consumer of water per capita in
the world, but has limited groundwater to tap. The country has been
plagued by shortages in recent years, and with consumption from a
rising population and economic growth set to soar. Desalination forms
the backbone of the government's water strategy. Some 30 desalination
plants have already been
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built by the state, but these have barely been able to keep pace with
rising demand. Building on a master plan drawn up in 2002, the
government has committed $6 billion a year to bolster the water sector
over the next two decades.
Saudi Arabia's leaky water supply and wastewater pipeline network
is also receiving massive investment, mainly through public private
partnerships (PPPs). Wastewater treatment management is also being
opened up to the private sector in a separate program. Mindful of the
expense involved in all this and the need to conserve water, the Saudi
Government is working on a number of large projects, primarily in the
water and sewage sectors, in an attempt to meet the needs posed by
rising population and industrial growth.
Solid Waste Management
Saudi Arabia's rapid industrialization, construction, and
urbanization have increased levels of pollution and waste. The Saudi
government recognizes the critical demand for waste management
solutions, and is investing heavily in solving this problem. The 2008
national budget allocates: (1) $4.5 billion for the municipal services
sector, which includes water drainage and waste disposal; and, (2) $7.6
billion for the water, agriculture and infrastructure sector, which
includes sanitation services and desalination plants.
The Kingdom's five-year plan for infrastructure and public sector
building that ended last year was valued at over $53 billion. Six mega
cities are under construction, and hundreds of thousands of housing
units are to be constructed. All projects will produce waste requiring
the latest in recycling and waste management. Yet, this multi-billion
dollar sector continues to be under-developed, and holds substantial
business opportunities for American companies.
Qatar
Qatar's economy is growing at an extraordinary rate, presenting
U.S. firms with excellent export opportunities. Qatar's robust GDP
growth, among the fastest in the world, is mainly attributed to ongoing
increases in production and exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG),
oil, and petrochemicals products.
Commercial ties between the United States and Qatar have expanded
at a rapid pace. Between 2003 and 2008, trade volumes grew by more than
340%, from $738 million to $3.2 billion. Over the same period, U.S.
exports increased 580 percent to $2.7 billion, making the United States
the largest import partner for Qatar. In 2008, Qatar was the United
States' fifth largest export market in the Middle East.
Medical Equipment and Healthcare Sector
Health care is a priority concern for the Qatari leadership. The
country is investing billions in developing modern medical facilities
to cope with rapid population growth. According to the latest data,
Qatar has nine hospitals and 23 health centers. In Qatar, healthcare
services are either free or highly subsidized. According to the latest
industry data available, government health expenditures account for
14.9 percent of total government expenditures.
Currently, three public hospitals are being built at the $1 billion
Hamad Medical City, which in total will provide 1,100 additional beds.
The facilities will provide pediatric, trauma and orthopedic care, as
well as a nursing home for the elderly and a renal dialysis unit. A
300-bed community hospital is also under construction in Al-Wakrah. The
largest healthcare project under way in Qatar is the $2.4 billion Sidra
Medical & Research Center at Education City. Due to open in 2012 with
infrastructure to house 550 beds, Sidra has been designed as a ``five-
star'' hospital with the long-term vision to become a referral center
for patients from across the region. These new facilities will
significantly expand Qatar's healthcare system within the next few
years.
Water Resources
Over the past decade, Qatar has had one of the fastest growth rates
in water usage in the Gulf, at around 16 percent annually. Qatar
consumes over 219 million gallons of water per day, 99% of which comes
from desalination plants. Qatar's desalination capacity will total 324
million gallons per day in 2010, but water consumption is expected to
reach 380 million gallons per day by 2013. As population and industrial
growth push needs to high levels, the nation's water authorities are
contending with some of the highest per capita water consumption rates
in the world.
The Qatar Electricity and Water Company (QEWC) committed $7.5
billion in January 2009 to increase power capacity and to raise water
capacity to more than 300 million gallons per day. QEWC is set to
implement the largest power generation and water desalination project
in Qatar. The project is estimated to cost around $3.85 billion and
will have a capacity of 63 million gallons of water per day. In
addition, plans are being drawn up for a new 30-50 million gallons per
day desalination plant to plug an anticipated water shortfall by 2011-
13. Preliminary studies are also being made to determine the best
location for further water desalination plants.
Solid Waste Management
Qatar has emerged as a fast developing country with growing
environmental problems associated with rapid urbanization and
population influx. There is an urgent demand for basic infrastructure
to support economic growth, especially for waste management. The annual
per capita waste generation rate in Qatar is about 430 kilograms per
person, which is relatively high among industrialized country
standards.
In addition to its own population growth, the number of travelers
to the country is increasing. For example, business travel to the
country is expected to grow by 20% over the next five years. Thirteen
million passengers pass though the current air terminal each year,
while the new airport expects to see 24 million passengers a year. This
influx of tourist place even more strains on Qatar's existing capacity
to handle solid waste.
Mission Goals
The objective of this trade mission is to introduce U.S. companies
to distributors, public and private buying agents and other potential
business partners. The mission will focus on identifying opportunities
for sales for patient healthcare and water and waste management. The
mission will additionally seek to acquaint U.S. companies with the
local market environments for public health equipment so as to
facilitate their ability to effectively introduce their products to the
region.
Mission Scenario
Participants will visit three of the region's key metropolitan
centers. The mission will have access to major countrywide markets, as
well as central government officials and U.S. Embassy staff for
regulatory and business climate briefings.
Riyadh--the capital of Saudi Arabia. Government Ministries and many
decisionmakers are based here.
Jeddah--the business capital of Saudi Arabia offers extensive
opportunities in the public healthcare sector.
Doha--the capital of Qatar, a Gulf Emirate, offers business-
friendly commercial procedures and political stability.
During the trade mission participants will receive: (A) Briefings
on public health markets in each city visited;
[[Page 3208]]
(B) introductions to potential agents/distributors, facility
administrators, and purchasing managers through group events; (C) site
visits if applicable; (D) one-on-one meetings tailored to each firm's
interests; and (E) meetings with local business representatives and
government officials, as appropriate.
Proposed Mission Timetable
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Day of week Date Activity
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friday.................................. June 4; Riyadh............. Arrive in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Informal
dinner and greeting by U.S. Commercial
Service staff.
Saturday................................ June 5; Riyadh............. Mission meetings officially start;
Breakfast briefing from Riyadh Embassy
staff; Group meeting with local U.S.
business executives; One-on-one business
appointments; Evening business
reception.
Sunday.................................. June 6; Riyadh............. One-on-one business appointments in
Riyadh; Possible site visit--choice of
hospital or waste/water treatment
facility.
Monday.................................. June 7; Riyadh/Jeddah...... Travel to Jeddah as a group in the
morning; One-on-one business
appointments in Jeddah; Possible site
visit; Possible Evening business
reception or informal dinner.
Tuesday................................. June 8; Jeddah/Doha........ One-on-one business meetings; Travel to
Doha, Qatar as a group in the late
afternoon; Informal dinner in Doha.
Wednesday............................... June 9; Doha............... Commercial briefings from Embassy staff;
One-on-one business appointments; Group
meeting with local U.S. business
executives; Evening business reception.
Thursday................................ June 10; Doha.............. One-on-one business meetings; Round table
discussion with U.S. companies in Qatar;
Possible site visit in afternoon visit--
choice of hospital or waste/water;
treatment facility.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend
on the availability of local government and business officials,
specific goals of mission participants, and air travel schedules.
Participation Requirements
All persons interested in participating in the Public Health Trade
Mission to Saudi Arabia and Qatar 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 25 companies will be selected to
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies
already doing business in the Middle East as well as U.S. companies
seeking to enter the region for the first time are encouraged to apply.
Fees and Expenses
After a company or trade organization 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 will
be $4,590 for large firms and $3,550 for a small or medium-sized
enterprise (SME) \1\ or small organization, which will cover one
representative.\2\ The fee for each additional firm representative
(large firm or SME) is $600. Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals,
and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations
(see https://www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/sizestandardstopics/).
\2\ Parent companies, affiliates, and subsidiaries will be
considered when determining business size. The dual pricing reflects
the Commercial Service's user fee schedule that became effective May
1, 2008 (see https://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html for additional information).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conditions for Participation
An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate
information on the company's products and/or services, primary market
objectives, and goals for participation. If the U.S. Department of
Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may reject
the application, request additional information, or take the lack of
information into account when evaluating the applications.
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, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm
and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished
product or service.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
Suitability of the company's products or services to the
Saudi and Qatar markets.
Applicant's potential for business in Saudi and Qatar,
including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with
the stated scope of the mission (as an example--be in the public health
sectors indicated in the mission description).
Referrals from political organizations and any documents 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, notices by industry trade associations and
other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia,
conferences, and trade shows. CS Saudi Arabia and CS Qatar will work in
conjunction with Global Trade Programs, which will serve as a key
facilitator in establishing strong commercial ties to the U.S.
companies in the targeted sectors nationwide.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than Wednesday, March 31, 2010. The U.S. Department of Commerce
will review all applications immediately after the deadline. We will
inform applicants of selection decisions as soon as possible after
March 31, 2010. Applications received after the deadline will be
considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
Ms. Jeanne Townsend, Baltimore U.S. Export Assistance Center, Tel: 410-
962-4518, Fax: 410-962-4529, E-mail: jtownsen@mail.doc.gov,
[[Page 3209]]
Ms. Lisa C. Huot, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230,
Tel: 202-482-2796, Fax: 202-482-0115, E-Mail: Lisa_Huot@ita.doc.gov.
Sean Timmins,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-928 Filed 1-19-10; 8:45 am]
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