Mission Statement for Executive-Led Trade Mission to Jordan and Israel, 58356-58361 [2010-23960]

Agencies

• International Trade Administration

[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58356-58361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23960]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION


Mission Statement for Executive-Led Trade Mission to Jordan and 
Israel

I. Mission Description

    The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is organizing a 
Trade Mission to Amman, Jordan, and Jerusalem and Tel-Aviv, Israel. A 
stop in Eilat, Israel, for companies involved in the renewable energies 
sector, is also scheduled. The mission will take place February 20-24, 
2011. The delegation will be comprised of U.S. firms from a cross 
section of industries with market potential including, but not limited 
to, products, services, and technologies in the following sectors: 
healthcare technologies, and cleantech, (i.e. technologies that support 
increased productivity or profitability while also reducing resource 
consumption or pollution, otherwise referred to as clean technologies).
    The goal of the mission is to help U.S. companies launch or 
increase their export business in the markets of Jordan, Israel, and 
the West Bank. Participating firms will gain market information, make 
business and government contacts, solidify exporting strategies, and 
advance specific projects, towards the outcome of increasing U.S. 
exports. The mission, to be led by an executive level U.S. Department 
of Commerce official, will include business-to-business matchmaking 
appointments with local companies, networking events, and meetings and 
briefings with government and industry officials. The mission 
delegation will be comprised of U.S. firms that design, manufacture, 
supply, and/or integrate products, services, and technologies in the 
targeted sectors and in other appropriate industries.

II. Commercial Setting

Jordan

    Jordan, with a 2009 GDP of $33 billion, and a per capita GDP of 
$5,300 continues to transform itself into an internationally 
competitive market-based economy. Education and literacy rates, and 
measures of social well-being are relatively high compared to other 
countries with similar incomes. Regarding Jordan's international trade 
position with the U.S., our exports to Jordan in 2009 were valued at 
$1.19 billion, representing nearly 16 percent of all Jordanian imports. 
Exports from Jordan to the U.S. for that same period were valued at 
$924 million, with two-way trade reaching $2.11 billion. Currently, 
under King Abdullah, Jordan has undertaken a major program of economic 
change, including the elimination of most fuel and agricultural 
subsidies, the passage of legislation targeting corruption, and the 
initiation of tax reforms. Key reforms have been undertaken in the 
information technology, pharmaceutical, tourism, and service sectors. 
In working toward trade liberalization, Jordan has also joined the 
World Trade Organization and, in 2001, it co-signed the first bilateral 
free trade agreement between the U.S. and an Arab country. In 2007 the 
United States and Jordan signed a Science and Technology Cooperation 
Agreement, bolstering efforts to help diversify Jordan's economy and 
promote growth. To date, duties on nearly all our goods and services 
have been eliminated, providing for more open markets in 
communications, construction, finance, health, transportation, and 
services. In addition, Jordan maintains a strict application of 
international standards for the protection of intellectual property. 
These changes and agreements facilitate good trading conditions between 
the U.S. and Jordan.
    In the political arena, Jordan's constitutional monarchy has 
consistently followed a pro-Western foreign policy, maintaining close 
relations with the United States. The U.S. has participated with Jordan 
and Israel in trilateral development discussions, key issues being 
water-sharing and security; cooperation on Jordan Rift Valley 
development; infrastructure projects; and trade, finance, and banking 
issues. U. S. development efforts continue to address Jordan's health 
indicators, road and water networks, education levels, resource 
conservation, and provide

[[Page 58357]]

grants and loans for purchasing U.S. agricultural commodities.

Cleantech

    Clean technologies, in general, are a top priority for the 
Government of Jordan. The Ministry of Environment and municipal 
government authorities continue to hold numerous workshops focusing on 
environmentally sustainable city planning & development, pollution 
control, and water and wastewater treatment. Renewable energies (solar, 
wind, biogas), energy resources, and green building are big topics as 
well. Such workshops allow international participants to establish 
direct ties with the environmental private sector and government 
officials in Jordan.
    Looking at the water sector, Jordan's water scarcity continuously 
triggers demand for water conservation technology and management at all 
levels of use. Jordan is currently exploring ways to expand its water 
supply and use its existing water resources more efficiently, including 
through regional cooperation. Given Jordan's large population growth, 
limited renewable water resources, and deteriorating water quality, the 
effective management and efficient use of water resources is critical. 
The Jordanian public water utility is taking on a more regulatory role, 
and upcoming opportunities for private sector participation and public 
private partnerships in water management will provide potential for 
U.S. entities specializing in utility management. Outsourcing of 
services for some water utilities is expected to become a trend in the 
coming years. This trend should also lead to opportunities for U.S. 
firms specializing in the water management sector, including 
engineering services, contracting, and treatment/desalination 
technology. Jordan's recent receipt of $400 million in Millennium 
Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact funding is expected to generate 
large-scale projects related to water supply, leak reduction, 
collection, delivery, desalination, wastewater treatment and wastewater 
reuse. The MCC is also considering programs to help poor households 
utilize limited water supplies more efficiently and effectively (see 
https://www.mcc.gov). USAID is currently financing several projects in 
Jordan related to water, giving priority to American equipment 
suppliers (see https://www.usaidjordan.org). Other governmental projects 
funded by multi-lateral lending institutions such as the World Bank 
also exist.
    In the energy sector, Jordan depends on external sources for the 
majority of its ever-growing requirements. Particularly in renewable 
energy and power generation, municipal gas systems, and oil shale 
development, the energy sector is a key growth industry. In 2007 the 
country developed a new energy strategy that aims to create more 
indigenous and renewable energy sources, including oil shale. Best 
prospects for electricity generation in Jordan are related to 
independent power projects (IPPs). There are tremendous opportunities 
for U.S. investors interested in concessions in electricity generation. 
There are also possibilities in the areas of solar energy, and waste-
to-energy investments, electricity loss reduction, and oil shale 
extraction. In addition, the Government of Jordan is studying the idea 
of distributing natural gas coming from Egypt to Jordanian houses and 
industrial complexes. Implementing this idea will open up a new market, 
as Jordan currently lacks expertise in gas distribution networks. U.S. 
agency financed procurement opportunities and projects in these sectors 
are available and advertised on the Federal Web site: https://www.fedbizopps.gov. They are expected to be mainly in the areas of 
consulting and technical assistance, focusing on renewables, energy 
management, and efficiency. The U.S. Trade & Development Agency, https://www.ustda.gov, funds feasibility studies and grants in these areas as 
well.
    Jordan is now undergoing rapid expansion and investment. As Jordan 
has limited resources, conservation is a priority; both the Government 
and its citizens are encouraged to incorporate sustainable building 
design and technology in construction. The lower subsequent electricity 
and water consumption resulting from green building would allow for 
recouping of related additional investments, making a compelling case 
for the spreading of green build technologies in Jordan in the near 
future. Toward this goal, Jordan would need to import renewable energy 
technology and other building materials, creating additional 
opportunities for U.S. companies.

Healthcare Equipment, Services, and Technologies

    Jordan has one of the strongest markets in the region for 
healthcare. Through 44 public hospitals and 60 private hospitals, it 
provides healthcare equipment and services for its citizens and over 
250,000 patients from neighboring countries annually. Its healthcare 
equipment industry may be categorized into the four subsectors of 
pharmaceuticals, medical and surgical equipment, lab equipment, and 
furniture. Local production of medical equipment is limited, and Jordan 
primarily relies on imports, which totaled $110 million in 2008. 
Imports are growing and expected to reach $519 million by 2013. The end 
users of these imports are the Ministry of Health related facilities 
and the growing private hospitals, clinics, and physicians working 
there. Medical equipment and pharmaceutical products will continue to 
be the largest health related expenditure in Jordan, and the U.S. 
continues to be Jordan's biggest single supplier of the imported 
equipment and services. It should be mentioned here that the Ministry 
of Health prohibits the import of used and refurbished medical devices 
into the Kingdom.
    With Jordan's medical sector advancement and its newer focus on 
medical tourism, its annual number of served patients will increase 
significantly. Along with this rise, the demand for medical equipment 
and supplies will continue to grow by 38.9% between 2010 and 2013, from 
US$1.80 billion to US$2.50 billion. This increase in focus and demand 
will require upgrades in both public and private medical services, 
facilities and institutions, and the quality of hospital and clinic 
management, and administration. Primary healthcare sector reforms will 
include renovating and adding medical diagnostic devices and 
therapeutic equipment; improving the quality of healthcare, healthcare 
professional training, and hospital services; upgrading hospital 
infrastructure; developing and implementing health information systems; 
and increased medical research. Upgrades in medical equipment and 
services will be targeted in Jordan's rural areas, in line with its 
healthcare system reforms. Such market expansion and the ripple effect 
of exposure to U.S. products by Jordanian physicians who have received 
some form of medical training in the U.S. create many incentives for 
U.S. providers to enter the Jordanian markets.
    The best prospects include consulting in hospital administration, 
quality control and certification standards; training; and laboratory 
and hospital administration software. There is also a need for various 
types of equipment, including sophisticated laboratory diagnostics like 
C-T, MRI, and PET scanners, laboratory reagents, testing equipment, 
cardiology and kidney dialysis equipment, as well as hospital 
furniture. Recent imports of hospital furniture including beds, surgery 
rooms lighting, and dental equipment exceeded $7.5 million, with U.S. 
products accounting for nearly a quarter

[[Page 58358]]

of those imports. The total value of recent ambulance imports was 
nearly $4 million with the U.S. products accounting for 60% of the 
purchases. Given the strength of the local industry, Jordan's broad 
healthcare market will be rich in opportunities for U.S. firms, 
including licensing agreements and joint ventures with Jordanian 
companies.

Israel

    Israel's government is a parliamentary democracy with a president 
elected for a 5-year term. It has a unicameral legislature and its 
governing body is called the Knesset. Today Israel has diplomatic 
relations with 163 states, including Egypt and Jordan. Commitment to 
Israel's security and well being has been a cornerstone of U.S. policy 
in the Middle East since Israel's founding in 1948. Continuing U.S. 
economic and security assistance to Israel acknowledges these ties and 
signals U.S. commitment.
    Israel has a diversified, technologically advanced economy with 
substantial but decreasing government ownership and a strong high-tech 
sector especially in the cleantech, medical, and biotechnology areas. 
The major industrial sectors include high-technology electronic and 
biomedical equipment, metal products, processed foods, chemicals, and 
transport equipment. Israel possesses a substantial service sector and 
is one of the world's centers for diamond cutting and polishing. It is 
also a world leader in software development and a major tourist 
destination. The country's strong commitment to economic development 
and its talented work force has led to economic growth rates that have 
frequently exceeded 10% annually. The Israeli economy has continued to 
grow at an annual growth rate of 4.2%, except for 2009 when it grew 
only 0.5%. The country entered the global economic crisis with solid 
fundamentals and the economy has shown signs of an early recovery, with 
expectations for greater expansion in 2010. Israel's GDP in 2009 was 
$206.8 billion and its per capita GDP was $28,400.
    International trade of goods and services in Israel grew by a 
healthy 5.2% in 2008, with the United States being Israel's largest 
single trading partner. In 2008, bilateral trade totaled $28 billion, 
showing an increase of almost 5% over 2007, even in light of the global 
economic slowdown. Israel is our 20th largest export market for goods. 
The two countries signed a free trade agreement in 1985 that 
progressively eliminated tariffs on most goods traded between the two 
countries over the following 10 years. Exports of U.S. goods to Israel 
totaled US$8.64 during the first 11 months of 2009, and US$13.49 
billion for that same period in 2008. With a favorable dollar exchange 
rate, U.S. equipment suppliers currently enjoy a price advantage over 
EU-based manufacturers.
    Trade opportunities between Israel and the U.S. are encouraged 
through the existence of bi-national funding programs, such as the 
Israel-U.S. Bi-national Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) 
initiative, available for U.S. companies to tap towards the goal of 
mutually beneficial industrial R&D projects. The BIRD Foundation, 
established by both governments in 1977, covers up to 50 percent of 
project development and product commercialization costs for companies 
in the fields of communications, life sciences, electronics, electro-
optics, software, homeland security, renewable and alternative energy 
and other sectors of the hi-tech industry.

Cleantech

    Israel has an impressive record in a wide variety of cleantech 
areas: Utilization and management of water resources, including 
marginal water and sewage; combating of desertification; and 
utilization of solar, geothermal energy, and agro-ecology. The Israel 
Ministry of National Infrastructures Web site, https://www.mni.gov.il, 
lists ongoing and planned programs and initiatives. From recycling 
centers, to water desalination, to renewable energy power stations, to 
solar power stations, to wind turbine generators, to photovoltaic 
panels, there is much room for cooperation and participation.
    Energy related clean technologies in Israel provide opportunities 
for U.S.-Israel commercial partnerships, especially in the areas of 
renewable energy and natural gas. The BIRD Foundation Energy program, 
https://www.birdf.com offer grants to U.S. and Israeli companies 
interested in joint development of clean energy technologies. The 
program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Israeli 
Ministry of National Infrastructures, and the BIRD Foundation. These 
grants help fund joint development in areas such as solar power, 
biofuels, advanced vehicle technologies, wind energy, smart grid, etc. 
The annual Eilat Renewable Energy conference and exhibition (https://www.eilatenergy.com) provides a good opportunity for U.S. renewable 
energy companies to share their technologies with Israeli companies.
    Israel's fresh water resources are already being exploited to the 
limit as the demand for water continues to grow with the country's 
population. An important potential new source is marginal water, e.g. 
effluents, brackish water and seawater. Tertiary treatment of sewage 
water and desalination of brackish and seawater can provide the much-
needed extra resources. The solution involves ensuring a dependable 
supply of water for domestic, industrial and agricultural use by the 
implementation of new government regulations and the construction of 
large-scale plants for desalination of seawater and reclamation of 
urban effluents.
    Growth in Israel's green building market is stimulated by a recent 
government initiative encouraging sustainable building practices (i.e. 
construction related processes that are environmentally responsible and 
resource-efficient throughout a building's life-cycle). Under this 
initiative, the government has adopted a green building standard. New 
and renovated residential and office buildings that comply with the 
green build standards will provide developers with a marketing 
advantage and will serve as a measure of the quality of the building 
for consumers. This development offers good opportunities for the U.S. 
green build technologies.

Healthcare Equipment, Technologies, and Services

    Healthcare is a priority in Israel, a country that spends 8% of its 
GDP on healthcare. The country boasts a very high level of healthcare 
and an extensive infrastructure of quality resources that range from 
local community clinics to world-renowned trauma centers. Israel's 
demand for medical equipment is steady and while there is no government 
plan in place for a massive investment in new devices, hospitals are 
likely to replace equipment on an ad-hoc basis to keep up with the 
latest, most advanced technologies.
    As Israel has the largest per-capita medical device market in the 
Middle East, and 80% of demand is supplied by imports, its medical 
equipment market presents good opportunities for U.S. manufacturers. 
U.S. equipment already accounts for \1/3\ of medical imports. Sales of 
U.S. medical equipment to Israel grew by 6% in 2008 and totaled $174 
million--about one-third of Israel's $514 million medical equipment 
imports. The licensing procedures for American-made, USFDA approved 
medical equipment are fairly easily facilitated because the Israel 
Ministry of Health uses the FDA's standards for the purpose of issuing 
licenses. A favorable

[[Page 58359]]

Shekel-Dollar exchange rate is likely to encourage demand for U.S. made 
medical devices.
    Israel also has a high ratio of medical doctors to population (3.5 
per 1,000). Many Israeli physicians are both early adopters of new 
technologies and developers of original technologies in their own 
right. To support this development, Israel has 466 life science 
companies, focusing on medical device and biotech. About a half of the 
medical device companies focus on therapeutic devices with the leading 
applications being in cardiovascular, oncology, neurology and 
neurodegenerative. There are also 60 pharmaceutical focused companies 
located in Israel. Opportunities for U.S. drug companies exist in the 
area of research, clinical trials and academic and professional 
exchanges. Other industry areas include diagnostic, imaging and 
monitoring devices.
    A well-developed private sector dominates the areas of dental care, 
eye laser surgery and plastic/aesthetic surgery and is keeping up 
demand for advanced medical instruments and appliances. To generate 
extra income, Israeli hospitals provide private care in addition to 
public healthcare services. Medical tourism is specifically a growing 
niche service that helps generate additional income for the healthcare 
sector and supports market growth. Both private healthcare and medical 
tourism are likely to demand further upgrades in existing systems and 
purchase of new equipment. Best sales prospects exist in the advanced 
medical technologies, instruments and disposables in the following 
categories: diagnostic imaging, equipment and technologies for pain 
management, physiotherapy, ozone & oxygen therapy, OR equipment & 
single use products, point of care and wound management technologies.

The West Bank

    The West Bank has a land area of 5,640 square kilometers (including 
East Jerusalem). Along with Gaza, it is collectively referred to as the 
Palestinian Territories. The area is located in the eastern part of the 
Palestinian territories, on the west bank of the Jordan River. To the 
west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the State of 
Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the country of 
Jordan. The population in the Palestinian West Bank and Gaza is 4 
million. The population growth rate is 3.9% and around 50% of the 
population is 18 years or younger. Based on 2009 CIA World Factbook 
figures, the GDP in the West Bank was $12.79 billion and its 2008 per 
capita GDP was $2,900. Last year the local economy grew by 8%.
    The West Bank, the larger of the two areas comprising the 
Palestinian Authority (PA), experienced a limited revival of economic 
activity in 2009. This revival was a result of inflows of donor 
assistance, the PA's implementation of economic reforms, improved 
security, and the relative easing of movement and access restrictions 
within the West Bank by the Israeli Government. The PA under President 
Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad have implemented a 
largely successful campaign of institutional reforms and economic 
development that has contributed to increased economic performance, 
supported by more than $3 billion in direct foreign donor assistance to 
the PA's budget since 2007. An easing of some Israeli restrictions on 
West Bank movement and access in 2008 and 2009 also contributed to an 
uptick in retail and entertainment activity in larger cities. Many 
American companies have reoriented their marketing efforts to 
acknowledge the Palestinian market as culturally, economically, and 
commercially distinct from the Israeli market. To date, dozens of 
American firms have established agencies and distributorships, and 
Palestinian consumers have a strong preference for a wide variety of 
U.S. goods and services. The U.S. Commercial Service in Jerusalem 
strongly encourages American exporters wishing to market their goods in 
the West Bank to use local Palestinian agents and distributors to 
maximize their sales exposure to the local market.

Cleantech

    Three electricity distribution companies operate in the West Bank: 
The Jerusalem District Electric Company (JDECO), serving East 
Jerusalem, Jericho, Ramallah and Bethlehem; the National Electric 
Company (NEC), operating in the northern West Bank; and the Southern 
Electric Company (SELCO), serving the southern areas. These companies 
purchase electricity from the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC), which 
they transmit over a grid currently owned by the IEC. In the West Bank, 
Israel supplies 95% of the electric power used, and the remaining 5% 
comes from Jordan. The electricity systems in the West Bank require 
substantial upgrading and expansion to meet current demand. Over the 
next few years, infrastructure development projects, including 
upgrading of the electricity network, and establishment of a national 
electricity distribution company in the West Bank, will mean 
significant growth for the West Bank economy. Growth opportunities also 
exist related to a planned solar energy power generation plant.
    Regarding other options for local power generation, natural gas 
resources in the Palestinian Territories are being explored for 
possible use in the West Bank. The West Bank depends on oil as its main 
source of energy and Palestinians import all their petroleum products 
from Israel. Once an infrastructure to transport the gas is developed, 
natural gas resources here would eliminate the need for total reliance 
on these expensive imports, and would offer opportunities to U.S. 
companies, both in major network equipment as well as in diesel 
generators.
    Currently, short- and medium-term environment sector opportunities 
in the West Bank are small and limited to public projects that are 
undertaken by municipalities. These are small wastewater treatment or 
solid waste removal projects that are funded by international donor 
agencies like USAID and World Bank. However, given the scarcity of 
water resources in the region, long-term prospects for water treatment 
for reuse could become a viable prospect. Solid waste removal and 
recycling could also become a viable industry, following investments 
made for equipment and public education. The West Bank Water Supply 
Program aims to increase the amount of fresh water available to the 
population through the digging of new wells in the West Bank, 
construction of reservoirs and transmission systems to take water from 
wells to towns and cities; and building distribution systems to deliver 
water to homes. This program would create an attractive niche market 
for U.S. exporters of environmental technologies particularly in 
desalination and wastewater treatment.

Healthcare Products & Services

    The size of the medical equipment and supplies market in the West 
Bank and Gaza has been estimated to $20 million annually. The market is 
made up of medical capital equipment, medical supplies, and lab 
equipment and lab disposable supplies. There is no domestic production 
of medical equipment and supplies, so Palestinians depend 100% on 
imports. There are no import duties on U.S.-made goods entering the 
West Bank, however products are subject to both a purchase tax, and a 
value added tax that is currently 14.5%. The majority of the 
Palestinian population relies on medical services provided by public 
hospitals

[[Page 58360]]

that are run by the Palestinian Ministry of Health under a general 
health insurance program. The Ministry is in charge of providing all 
medical equipment and supplies that are paid for mostly through 
international donors support programs. The total number of public and 
private hospitals in West Bank and Gaza is 72 and total number of beds 
is 5,000.
    The U.S. share of the market is roughly 15% of the total, but two 
factors are expected to change the percentage: The falling value of the 
U.S. dollar vs. the Euro that makes U.S. exports more competitive and 
the continued support by USAID of healthcare projects in the West Bank. 
USAID regulations stipulate that funds can be spent on American-made 
equipment only, and the Agency has pledged $86 million for the coming 
five years to help reform the Palestinian healthcare sector.

III. Mission Goals

    The goal of this trade mission is to facilitate greater access to 
the Jordanian, Israeli, and West Bank markets by providing participants 
with first-hand market information, access to government decision 
makers, and one-on-one appointments with business contacts, including 
potential agents, distributors, and partners. As a result of this 
mission, and in keeping with the goals of the U.S. Commercial Service, 
and the President's National Export Initiative, companies should look 
forward to export successes in the region.

IV. Mission Scenario

    The trade mission will include the following stops: Amman, Jordan, 
and Tel-Aviv, and Jerusalem, Israel, with a trip to Eilat, Israel for 
renewable focused companies. In each city, participants will meet with 
new business/government contacts. Additional business meetings in other 
countries in the region can be arranged before or after the mission 
through the Gold Key Service for an added cost of $700 per city 
(exclusive of interpreter and transportation costs).

V. Mission Timetable

    Saturday, February 19, 2011--U.S. trade mission participants arrive 
in Jordan; no-host ice breaker.
    Sunday, February 20, 2011--Briefings/meetings with Jordanian 
Government and industry officials. One-on-one business appointments 
scheduled.
    Monday, February 21, 2011--Half day of one-on-one business 
appointments; incl. lunch. Afternoon van travel to Jerusalem and 
briefing by U.S. Consulate there. Reception to follow briefings. 
Transport to hotel for rest of evening.
    Tuesday, February 22, 2011--Morning briefings and one-on-one 
meetings by U.S. Commercial Service, West Bank, and other Government 
and industry officials to be held in Jerusalem or West Bank, to be 
determined. Working lunch to be followed by departures to Tel-Aviv, and 
Eilat, by air, as appropriate. (Renewables focused companies will be 
attending Eilat Renewables Energy Conference and Exhibition). Transport 
to hotels in Tel-Aviv and Eilat will be provided for no-host rest of 
evening.
    Wednesday, February 23, 2010--Full day of briefings with Israeli 
Government and industry officials in Tel-Aviv, incl. no-host lunch. 
Eilat based companies will have one-on-one meetings while at 
conference. Evening is free to explore on your own.
    Thursday, February 24, 2010--Companies in Tel-Aviv will attend 
Embassy breakfast followed by participation in one-on-one appointments 
there. For companies attending Eilat Conference, morning flight to 
Israel's Sde Dov Domestic Airport, and Tel-Aviv. Full/Half-day 
appointments dependent upon companies' arrival times in Tel-Aviv. Lunch 
at participants' expense. Evening networking reception at Ambassador's 
residence. Participants' debriefing before/at Tel-Aviv hotel, and 
official end of mission.
    Posts will assist in arranging for group sight-seeing for those 
companies interested in arriving before or staying after the mission.

VI. Participation Requirements

    All parties interested in participating in the Executive-led Trade 
Mission to Jordan, and Israel 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. The objective is for 
a minimum of 12 and maximum of 15 companies to be selected to 
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies 
already doing business with Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank as well 
as U.S. companies seeking to enter these markets for the first time may 
apply.

Fees and Expenses

    After a company 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 for an individual company 
representative will be $5,300 for large firms and $3,995 for small or 
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).\*\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \*\ 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/). 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).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME) 
is $650. Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will 
be the responsibility of each mission participant. The option to 
participate in the mission is also being offered to U.S.-based firms 
with an established presence in Jordan, Israel, and the West Bank, or 
neighboring countries; the same fee structure applies for these firms.

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 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 for the 
Jordanian, Israeli, and West Bank markets.
     Applicant's potential for business in Jordan, Israel, and 
the West Bank, including likelihood of exports resulting from the 
mission.
     Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with 
the stated scope of the mission.
     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.

[[Page 58361]]

VII. Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications

    Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner. 
Outreach will include 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 International Trade Administration 
will explore and welcome outreach assistance from other interested 
organizations, including other U.S. Government agencies. Recruitment 
for the mission will begin immediately and conclude December 27, 2010. 
Applications will be available online on the mission Web site at https://www.export.gov/JordanIsraelWestBank. They can also be obtained by 
contacting the Mission Contacts listed below. Applications received 
after December 20, 2010, will be considered if space and scheduling 
constraints permit.

Contacts

Karen A. Dubin, Senior International Trade Specialist, Global Trade 
Programs; U.S. Commercial Service, Washington, DC 20230. Tel: 202/482-
3786; Fax: 202/482-7801. E-mail: Karen.Dubin@trade.gov.
Jonathan Heimer, Senior Commercial Officer; U.S. Commercial Service, 
U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv. T: 972-3-519-7368; F: 972-3-510-7215. E-mail: 
Jonathan.Heimer@trade.gov.
Sanford Owens, Senior Commercial Officer; U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. 
Embassy Amman, T: 962-6-590-6629; F: 962-6-592-0146. E-mail: 
Sanford.Owens@trade.gov.

Karen A. Dubin,
Global Trade Programs, U.S. Commercial Service, Office of Trade 
Missions.
[FR Doc. 2010-23960 Filed 9-23-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P