Energy and Infrastructure Mission to Saudi Arabia: Third City Stop Added to the Trade Mission Itinerary, 43919-43921 [2010-17742]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 27, 2010 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Energy and Infrastructure Mission to Saudi Arabia: Third City Stop Added to the Trade Mission Itinerary International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES Mission Description The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing an energy and infrastructure trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, December 6–8, 2010. Led by a senior Department of Commerce official, the mission to Saudi Arabia is intended to include representatives from a variety of U.S. energy and infrastructure industry suppliers and service providers. The mission will introduce mission participants to end-users and prospective partners whose needs and capabilities are targeted to the respective U.S. participant’s strengths. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather than traveling to Saudi Arabia independently, will enhance the companies’ ability to secure meetings in Saudi Arabia, especially in light of discussions on this topic between the Government of Saudi Arabia and the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The mission will include appointments, briefings and receptions in Riyadh and Dhahran, Saudi Arabia’s primary energy and infrastructure industry hubs. Trade mission participants will have the opportunity to interact with Commercial Service (CS) specialists covering the energy and infrastructure industries to discuss industry developments, opportunities, and sales strategies. per day. The company is also expanding its Master Gas System, building an NGL recovery plant, a new grass-roots gas plant, and enhancing capacity at an existing plant. While the global recession that began in 2008 has presented new economic challenges, Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with many of its development projects in the oil and gas sector. In March 2009, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced plans to spend approximately $60 billion on upstream and downstream operations through 2014. The budget includes allocations for 144 projects, including 17 mega-projects (those valued at more than $1 billion), 30 large projects, 17 medium-sized projects, and 80 small schemes. Commercial Setting The Saudi Arabian energy and infrastructure sectors rank among the world’s most dynamic. Government contracts worth approximately $140 billion have been awarded so far this year, of which around $110 billion were for non-oil projects. U.S. goods exports to Saudi Arabia in 2008 were $12.5 billion, up 20 percent from the previous year. Petrochemicals Industry sources believe that more than $70 billion in petrochemical projects are under development and Saudi Arabia Basic Industries Corporation has $48 billion projects planned for 2011–2020. The development of downstream, value added industry is a cornerstone of the government’s efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and gas. The Saudi Government aims at consolidating the country’s position as the leading bulk petrochemicals commodities producer of the 21st century: as such, a new wave of specialty petrochemical products is being developed, including polycarbonates, phenols, engineering plastics and thermoplastic olefins. Recent projects to produce specialty chemicals include the Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company complex, which will produce the region’s first polycarbonates and phenols; the mega Ras Tanura refinery upgrade and integrated petrochemicals complex, which will produce more than 300 different products, and the third-phase Saudi International Petrochemical Company (Sipchem) complex, which will produce synthetic fibers. The planned expansion at Jubail Industrial City II with around 20 petrochemical and infrastructure projects worth more than $21.6 billion dollars will also bring various opportunities for U.S. petrochemical and engineering companies, as well as to American U.S. manufacturers/suppliers of equipment, parts, supplies, and services related to the petrochemical industry. The Oil and Gas Sector Being the largest producer and exporter of crude oil, Saudi Aramco, the national oil company, is augmenting capacity to maintain a surplus production of 1.5–2.0 million barrels Construction At a time when some Middle Eastern countries are facing financial difficulties, Saudi Arabia’s star is clearly rising. With tens of billions of dollars of projects awarded, the Saudi VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:30 Jul 26, 2010 Jkt 220001 PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43919 construction sector is rolling forward. Saudi Arabia’s ambitious rail plans are fueling activity in the infrastructure sector, with $30 billion worth of contracts under way or at the bidding stage. Likewise, the Saudi real estate market is set to grow significantly over the next four years. Saudi Arabia has the largest real estate market in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), with more commercial (office, retail and residential) floor space than all of the other GCC countries combined. This impressive growth is being driven by a combination of a large and growing economy and strong demographic fundamentals. Among Saudi Arabia’s super-projects are as many as six ‘‘economic cities,’’ to be completed by the year 2020 at an initial cost of US$ 87.8 billion, as part of a public-private partnership strategy led by the Saudi Arabian General Investment Authority (SAGIA). The ‘‘cities’’ are expected to contribute $150 billion to GDP, and to collectively create over 1.5 million jobs by 2020, as well as living space for more than 2.5 million residents. Around $6 billion is being poured into Saudi Arabia’s housing sector, to accommodate the population increase. Roughly $2 billion is being spent on schools and universities. Billions more are going toward ultramodern mega-commerce and tourism projects, and the country’s stronglycompetitive industrial sector. Hundreds of new factories are to be constructed. All of this fastpaced construction sector activity is creating a wealth of investment opportunity for American architecture, engineering, design and construction firms. Saudi Arabia’s transport sector— including road infrastructure, airports and seaports—is also part of an ambitious investor-friendly expansion plan. Not surprisingly, these forwardlooking plans are fuelling strong demand for a broad variety of cuttingedge construction materials and products from leading international suppliers. Aviation The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the region. It is also the most populous country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and, with its holy sites, is the focus of a vast market for pilgrimage and tourism that stretches across the entire Arab world. The country, however is lagging behind the booming regional aviation industry, and the infrastructure at the country’s airports has become a source of concern to the Saudi authorities. Billions of dollars are now being invested in the Kingdom’s main airports to improve the E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 43920 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 27, 2010 / Notices • Participation in industry receptions in Riyadh and Dhahran; • Meetings with CS Saudi Arabia’s energy and infrastructure industry specialists in Riyadh and Dhahran; and • Networking receptions in two cities of the trade mission. Mission Goals The short term goals of the energy and infrastructure trade mission to Saudi Arabia are to (1) introduce U.S. companies to potential joint-venture partners and other industry representatives, and (2) introduce U.S. companies to industry and government officials in Saudi Arabia to learn about various program opportunities in those industries. sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES travel experience for the millions of pilgrims and tourists who enter the country each year. Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia offers an optional one-day stop in Jeddah for companies in the aviation sector, planned for December 5, 2010. For companies also traveling to Riyadh and Dhahran on December 6–8, additional cost for the optional aviation stop in Jeddah is $1,000 in addition to the trade mission fee. For companies wishing to travel to Jeddah only the cost is $2,000. December 5 .. December 6 .. Mission Scenario In Riyadh, the U.S. mission members will be presented with a briefing by the U.S. Embassy’s Counselor for Commercial Affairs, the Senior Commercial Specialist for the energy and infrastructure sectors and other key U.S. Government and corporate officials. Participants will also take part in business matchmaking appointments with Saudi private-sector organizations. In addition, they will attend a networking event with multipliers. In Dhahran, participants will receive a market briefing by the Senior Commercial Specialist for the energy and infrastructure sectors at the U.S. Consulate, and they will participate in one-on-one business matchmaking appointments, and networking activities. Energy participants will also receive a briefing on market opportunities by Saudi Aramco, the world’s largest oil corporation. Matchmaking efforts will involve multipliers such as Council of Saudi Chambers. U.S. participants will be counseled before and after the mission by domestic mission coordinator. Participation in the mission will include the following: • Pre-travel briefings/webinar on subjects ranging from business practices in Saudi Arabia to security; • Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, distributors, end users, or local industry contacts in Riyadh and Dhahran; • Transportation to airports in Riyadh and Dhahran; • Meetings with Saudi Government officials; VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:30 Jul 26, 2010 Jkt 220001 Proposed Mission Timetable Mission participants will be encouraged to arrive December 5, 2010 and the mission program will proceed from December 6 through December 8, 2010. December 7 .. December 8 .. Jeddah. Riyadh. Market briefings by U.S. Embassy Riyadh officials. One-on-one business matchmaking appointments. Networking reception. Dhahran. Travel to Dhahran. Market briefing by U.S. Consulate Dhahran officials. Networking reception. Dhahran. Meeting at Saudi Aramco. One-on-one business matchmaking appointments. Participation Requirements All parties interested in participating in the Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia must complete and submit an application for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 companies will be selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies already doing business in Saudi Arabia as well as U.S. companies seeking to enter the market for the first time are encouraged to apply. Fees and Expenses 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 $3,680 for large firms and $2,925 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)1 or small organization, which will cover one representative. The fee for each 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:// wwwsba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/ sizestandardstopics/). 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). PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is $500. Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia offers an optional one-day stop in Jeddah for companies in the aviation sector, planned for December 5, 2010. For companies also traveling to Riyadh and Dhahran on December 6–8, additional cost for the optional aviation stop in Jeddah is $1,000 in addition to the trade mission fee. For companies wishing to travel to Jeddah only the cost is $2,000. 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 fifty-one percent U.S. content. Selection Criteria for Participation Selection will be based on the following criteria: • Suitability of a company’s products or services to the mission’s goals • Applicant’s potential for business in Saudi Arabia, including likelihood of exports resulting from the trade mission • Consistency of the applicant’s goals and objectives with the stated scope of the trade mission (as an example—be in the energy and/or infrastructure 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/ E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 143 / Tuesday, July 27, 2010 / Notices 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. Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than September 15, 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 September 15, 2010. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Contacts U.S. Commercial Service Domestic Contact: Sean Timmins, 202–482–1841, Sean.Timmins@trade.gov. U.S. Commercial Service Saudi Arabia Contacts: Mr. Habeeb Saeed, U.S. Commercial Service Riyadh, Tel: 966– 1–488–3800, Habeeb.Saeed@mail.doc.gov. Mr. Ishtiaq Hussain, U.S. Commercial Service Dhahran, Tel: 966–3–330–3200, Ishtiaq.Hussain@mail.doc.gov. Natalia Susak, Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program. [FR Doc. 2010–17742 Filed 7–26–10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE M DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration [A–583–833] Certain Polyester Staple Fiber From Taiwan: Final Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review Import Administration, International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: On February 5, 2010, the Department of Commerce published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain polyester staple fiber from Taiwan. The period of review is May 1, 2008, through April 30, 2009. We gave interested parties an opportunity to comment on the preliminary results. We received comments from Far Eastern Textile Limited. The final weightedaverage dumping margin for Far Eastern Textile Limited is listed below in the ‘‘Final Results of the Review’’ section of this notice. DATES: Effective Date: July 27, 2010. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. Romani or Richard sroberts on DSKD5P82C1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:30 Jul 26, 2010 Jkt 220001 Rimlinger, AD/CVD Operations, Office 5, Import Administration, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone (202) 482–0198 or (202) 482–4477, respectively. Background On February 5, 2010, the Department of Commerce (the Department) published the preliminary results of the administrative review of the antidumping duty order on certain polyester staple fiber (PSF) from Taiwan. See Certain Polyester Staple Fiber From Taiwan: Preliminary Results of Antidumping Duty Administrative Review, 75 FR 5964 (February 5, 2010) (Preliminary Results). We invited interested parties to comment on the Preliminary Results. We received comments from the respondent. The Department has conducted this administrative review in accordance with section 751(a) of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended (the Act). Scope of the Order The product covered by the order is PSF. PSF is defined as synthetic staple fibers, not carded, combed or otherwise processed for spinning, of polyesters measuring 3.3 decitex (3 denier, inclusive) or more in diameter. This merchandise is cut to lengths varying from one inch (25 mm) to five inches (127 mm). The merchandise subject to the order may be coated, usually with a silicon or other finish, or not coated. PSF is generally used as stuffing in sleeping bags, mattresses, ski jackets, comforters, cushions, pillows, and furniture. Merchandise of less than 3.3 decitex (less than 3 denier) currently classifiable in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) at subheading 5503.20.00.20 is specifically excluded from the order. Also specifically excluded from the order are polyester staple fibers of 10 to 18 denier that are cut to lengths of 6 to 8 inches (fibers used in the manufacture of carpeting). In addition, low-melt PSF is excluded from the order. Low-melt PSF is defined as a bi-component fiber with an outer sheath that melts at a significantly lower temperature than its inner core. The merchandise subject to the order is currently classifiable in the HTSUS at subheadings 5503.20.00.45 and 5503.20.00.65. Although the HTSUS subheadings are provided for convenience and customs purposes, the written description of the merchandise subject to the order is dispositive. PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 43921 Analysis of Comments Received All issues raised in the case briefs by parties to this review are addressed in the ‘‘Issues and Decision Memorandum’’ from Edward C. Yang, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary, to Ronald K. Lorentzen, Deputy Assistant Secretary, dated July 19, 2010 (Decision Memorandum), and hereby adopted by this notice. A list of the issues which parties have raised and to which we have responded is in the Decision Memorandum and attached to this notice as an Appendix. The Decision Memorandum, which is a public document, is on file in the Department’s Central Records Unit of the main Commerce building, Room 1117, and is accessible on the Web at https:// trade.gov/ia. The paper copy and electronic version of the Decision Memorandum are identical in content. Ministerial Errors In the Preliminary Results, we indicated that we had matched products sold in the United States with identical products sold in the home market. In fact, in our calculation for the Preliminary Results, one product sold in the United States did not match to an above-cost, contemporaneous, physically identical product sold in the home market in the ordinary course of trade. Instead, from the pool of homemarket sales that passed the cost-ofproduction test, we had selected for comparison purposes the product sold in the home market with the most similar physical characteristics to the product sold in the United States. For this comparison, we made a differencesin-merchandise adjustment to normal value. In the Preliminary Results we stated erroneously that the preliminary margin we had found for the respondent was 2.11 percent; the correct margin resulting from our preliminary calculations was 2.43 percent. See ‘‘Certain Polyester Staple Fiber from Taiwan: Far Eastern Textile Limited Analysis Memorandum for the Preliminary Results of the Administrative Review of the Antidumping Duty Order (5/1/08–4/30/ 09)’’ dated February 1, 2010. We received no comments from parties concerning these inadvertent errors in the Preliminary Results. Final Results of the Review We have made no changes to our calculations and, as announced in the Preliminary Results, we disregarded sales made at prices below the cost of production in the home market when determining normal value in this E:\FR\FM\27JYN1.SGM 27JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 143 (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43919-43921]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-17742]



[[Page 43919]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Energy and Infrastructure Mission to Saudi Arabia: Third City 
Stop Added to the Trade Mission Itinerary

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, 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 
an energy and infrastructure trade mission to the Kingdom of Saudi 
Arabia, December 6-8, 2010. Led by a senior Department of Commerce 
official, the mission to Saudi Arabia is intended to include 
representatives from a variety of U.S. energy and infrastructure 
industry suppliers and service providers. The mission will introduce 
mission participants to end-users and prospective partners whose needs 
and capabilities are targeted to the respective U.S. participant's 
strengths. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, 
rather than traveling to Saudi Arabia independently, will enhance the 
companies' ability to secure meetings in Saudi Arabia, especially in 
light of discussions on this topic between the Government of Saudi 
Arabia and the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. The mission will 
include appointments, briefings and receptions in Riyadh and Dhahran, 
Saudi Arabia's primary energy and infrastructure industry hubs. Trade 
mission participants will have the opportunity to interact with 
Commercial Service (CS) specialists covering the energy and 
infrastructure industries to discuss industry developments, 
opportunities, and sales strategies.

Commercial Setting

    The Saudi Arabian energy and infrastructure sectors rank among the 
world's most dynamic. Government contracts worth approximately $140 
billion have been awarded so far this year, of which around $110 
billion were for non-oil projects. U.S. goods exports to Saudi Arabia 
in 2008 were $12.5 billion, up 20 percent from the previous year.

The Oil and Gas Sector

    Being the largest producer and exporter of crude oil, Saudi Aramco, 
the national oil company, is augmenting capacity to maintain a surplus 
production of 1.5-2.0 million barrels per day. The company is also 
expanding its Master Gas System, building an NGL recovery plant, a new 
grass-roots gas plant, and enhancing capacity at an existing plant. 
While the global recession that began in 2008 has presented new 
economic challenges, Saudi Arabia is pushing forward with many of its 
development projects in the oil and gas sector. In March 2009, the 
Saudi Arabian Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced 
plans to spend approximately $60 billion on upstream and downstream 
operations through 2014. The budget includes allocations for 144 
projects, including 17 mega-projects (those valued at more than $1 
billion), 30 large projects, 17 medium-sized projects, and 80 small 
schemes.

Petrochemicals

    Industry sources believe that more than $70 billion in 
petrochemical projects are under development and Saudi Arabia Basic 
Industries Corporation has $48 billion projects planned for 2011-2020. 
The development of downstream, value added industry is a cornerstone of 
the government's efforts to diversify the economy away from oil and 
gas. The Saudi Government aims at consolidating the country's position 
as the leading bulk petrochemicals commodities producer of the 21st 
century: as such, a new wave of specialty petrochemical products is 
being developed, including polycarbonates, phenols, engineering 
plastics and thermoplastic olefins. Recent projects to produce 
specialty chemicals include the Saudi Kayan Petrochemical Company 
complex, which will produce the region's first polycarbonates and 
phenols; the mega Ras Tanura refinery upgrade and integrated 
petrochemicals complex, which will produce more than 300 different 
products, and the third-phase Saudi International Petrochemical Company 
(Sipchem) complex, which will produce synthetic fibers. The planned 
expansion at Jubail Industrial City II with around 20 petrochemical and 
infrastructure projects worth more than $21.6 billion dollars will also 
bring various opportunities for U.S. petrochemical and engineering 
companies, as well as to American U.S. manufacturers/suppliers of 
equipment, parts, supplies, and services related to the petrochemical 
industry.

Construction

    At a time when some Middle Eastern countries are facing financial 
difficulties, Saudi Arabia's star is clearly rising. With tens of 
billions of dollars of projects awarded, the Saudi construction sector 
is rolling forward. Saudi Arabia's ambitious rail plans are fueling 
activity in the infrastructure sector, with $30 billion worth of 
contracts under way or at the bidding stage. Likewise, the Saudi real 
estate market is set to grow significantly over the next four years. 
Saudi Arabia has the largest real estate market in the Gulf Cooperation 
Council (GCC), with more commercial (office, retail and residential) 
floor space than all of the other GCC countries combined. This 
impressive growth is being driven by a combination of a large and 
growing economy and strong demographic fundamentals. Among Saudi 
Arabia's super-projects are as many as six ``economic cities,'' to be 
completed by the year 2020 at an initial cost of US$ 87.8 billion, as 
part of a public-private partnership strategy led by the Saudi Arabian 
General Investment Authority (SAGIA). The ``cities'' are expected to 
contribute $150 billion to GDP, and to collectively create over 1.5 
million jobs by 2020, as well as living space for more than 2.5 million 
residents. Around $6 billion is being poured into Saudi Arabia's 
housing sector, to accommodate the population increase. Roughly $2 
billion is being spent on schools and universities.
    Billions more are going toward ultra-modern mega-commerce and 
tourism projects, and the country's strongly-competitive industrial 
sector. Hundreds of new factories are to be constructed. All of this 
fastpaced construction sector activity is creating a wealth of 
investment opportunity for American architecture, engineering, design 
and construction firms.
    Saudi Arabia's transport sector--including road infrastructure, 
airports and seaports--is also part of an ambitious investor-friendly 
expansion plan. Not surprisingly, these forward-looking plans are 
fuelling strong demand for a broad variety of cutting-edge construction 
materials and products from leading international suppliers.

Aviation

    The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the largest economy in the region. 
It is also the most populous country in the Gulf Cooperation Council 
(GCC) and, with its holy sites, is the focus of a vast market for 
pilgrimage and tourism that stretches across the entire Arab world. The 
country, however is lagging behind the booming regional aviation 
industry, and the infrastructure at the country's airports has become a 
source of concern to the Saudi authorities. Billions of dollars are now 
being invested in the Kingdom's main airports to improve the

[[Page 43920]]

travel experience for the millions of pilgrims and tourists who enter 
the country each year.
    Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia offers an 
optional one-day stop in Jeddah for companies in the aviation sector, 
planned for December 5, 2010. For companies also traveling to Riyadh 
and Dhahran on December 6-8, additional cost for the optional aviation 
stop in Jeddah is $1,000 in addition to the trade mission fee. For 
companies wishing to travel to Jeddah only the cost is $2,000.

Mission Goals

    The short term goals of the energy and infrastructure trade mission 
to Saudi Arabia are to (1) introduce U.S. companies to potential joint-
venture partners and other industry representatives, and (2) introduce 
U.S. companies to industry and government officials in Saudi Arabia to 
learn about various program opportunities in those industries.

Mission Scenario

    In Riyadh, the U.S. mission members will be presented with a 
briefing by the U.S. Embassy's Counselor for Commercial Affairs, the 
Senior Commercial Specialist for the energy and infrastructure sectors 
and other key U.S. Government and corporate officials. Participants 
will also take part in business matchmaking appointments with Saudi 
private-sector organizations. In addition, they will attend a 
networking event with multipliers. In Dhahran, participants will 
receive a market briefing by the Senior Commercial Specialist for the 
energy and infrastructure sectors at the U.S. Consulate, and they will 
participate in one-on-one business matchmaking appointments, and 
networking activities. Energy participants will also receive a briefing 
on market opportunities by Saudi Aramco, the world's largest oil 
corporation.
    Matchmaking efforts will involve multipliers such as Council of 
Saudi Chambers. U.S. participants will be counseled before and after 
the mission by domestic mission coordinator. Participation in the 
mission will include the following:
     Pre-travel briefings/webinar on subjects ranging from 
business practices in Saudi Arabia to security;
     Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners, 
distributors, end users, or local industry contacts in Riyadh and 
Dhahran;
     Transportation to airports in Riyadh and Dhahran;
     Meetings with Saudi Government officials;
     Participation in industry receptions in Riyadh and 
Dhahran;
     Meetings with CS Saudi Arabia's energy and infrastructure 
industry specialists in Riyadh and Dhahran; and
     Networking receptions in two cities of the trade mission.

Proposed Mission Timetable

    Mission participants will be encouraged to arrive December 5, 2010 
and the mission program will proceed from December 6 through December 
8, 2010.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 5..........................  Jeddah.
December 6..........................  Riyadh.
                                      Market briefings by U.S. Embassy
                                       Riyadh officials.
                                      One-on-one business matchmaking
                                       appointments.
                                      Networking reception.
December 7..........................  Dhahran.
                                      Travel to Dhahran.
                                      Market briefing by U.S. Consulate
                                       Dhahran officials.
                                      Networking reception.
December 8..........................  Dhahran.
                                      Meeting at Saudi Aramco.
                                      One-on-one business matchmaking
                                       appointments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Energy and 
Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia must complete and submit 
an application for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All 
applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain 
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below. A 
minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 companies will be selected to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies 
already doing business in Saudi Arabia as well as U.S. companies 
seeking to enter the market for the first time are encouraged to apply.

Fees and Expenses

    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 $3,680 for large firms 
and $2,925 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)\1\ or small 
organization, which will cover one representative. The fee for each 
additional firm representative (large firm or SME) is $500. 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://wwwsba.gov/services/contractingopportunities/sizestandardstopics/). 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Energy and Infrastructure Trade Mission to Saudi Arabia offers an 
optional one-day stop in Jeddah for companies in the aviation sector, 
planned for December 5, 2010. For companies also traveling to Riyadh 
and Dhahran on December 6-8, additional cost for the optional aviation 
stop in Jeddah is $1,000 in addition to the trade mission fee. For 
companies wishing to travel to Jeddah only the cost is $2,000.

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 fifty-one percent U.S. content.

Selection Criteria for Participation

    Selection will be based on the following criteria:
     Suitability of a company's products or services to the 
mission's goals
     Applicant's potential for business in Saudi Arabia, 
including likelihood of exports resulting from the trade mission
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the trade mission (as an example--be in the energy 
and/or infrastructure 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/

[[Page 43921]]

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.
    Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no 
later than September 15, 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 September 
15, 2010. Applications received after that date will be considered only 
if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

    U.S. Commercial Service Domestic Contact: Sean Timmins, 202-482-
1841, Sean.Timmins@trade.gov.
    U.S. Commercial Service Saudi Arabia Contacts: Mr. Habeeb Saeed, 
U.S. Commercial Service Riyadh, Tel: 966-1-488-3800, 
Habeeb.Saeed@mail.doc.gov.
    Mr. Ishtiaq Hussain, U.S. Commercial Service Dhahran, Tel: 966-3-
330-3200, Ishtiaq.Hussain@mail.doc.gov.

Natalia Susak,
Global Trade Programs, Commercial Service Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-17742 Filed 7-26-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE M
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