Travel and Tourism Trade Mission to Russia September 15-19, 2014, 11764-11766 [2014-04506]
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11764
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 41 / Monday, March 3, 2014 / Notices
that certain information requirements
differ for respondent and domestic
parties. Also, note that the Department’s
information requirements are distinct
from the Commission’s information
requirements. Please consult the
Department’s regulations for
information regarding the Department’s
conduct of Sunset Reviews. Please
consult the Department’s regulations at
19 CFR part 351 for definitions of terms
and for other general information
concerning antidumping and
countervailing duty proceedings at the
Department.
This notice of initiation is being
published in accordance with section
751(c) of the Act and 19 CFR 351.218(c).
Dated: February 24, 2014.
Christian Marsh,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Antidumping
and Countervailing Duty Operations.
[FR Doc. 2014–04623 Filed 2–28–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Travel and Tourism Trade Mission to
Russia September 15—19, 2014
International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
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Mission Description
The United States Department of
Commerce, International Trade
Administration, including the National
Travel and Tourism Office (https://
travel.trade.gov/), with support from
Brand USA (https://
www.thebrandusa.com/) is organizing
an Executive-led trade mission to
Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia with
an optional stop in Yekaterinburg,
Russia, September 15–19, 2014. The
purpose of this mission is to help U.S.
firms in the travel and tourism industry
find business partners and sell services
in Russia. The targeted sector for
participation in this mission is travel
and tourism, including U.S.-based travel
and tourism suppliers, destination
marketing organizations (i.e.,
convention and visitors bureaus), travel
promotion organizations and other
travel and tourism entities promoting
and selling travel to the United States
including trade associations.
The mission will include stops in
Moscow and St. Petersburg, where
participants will receive market
briefings and participate in customized
meetings with key officials and
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:40 Feb 28, 2014
Jkt 232001
prospective partners. There will be an
optional stop in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The mission supports President
Obama’s National Export Initiative (NEI)
to strengthen the U.S. economy and U.S.
competitiveness through meaningful job
creation and furthers the National
Travel and Tourism Strategy. The
mission will help U.S. companies
already doing business in Russia to
increase their footprint and deepen their
business interests.
The mission will help participating
firms and associations/organizations
gain market insights, make industry
contacts, solidify business strategies,
and advance specific projects, with the
goal of increasing U.S. exports of
services to Russia. The mission will
include one-on-one business
appointments with pre-screened
potential buyers, agents, distributors
and joint venture partners; meetings
with state and local government officials
and industry leaders; and networking
events. Participating in an official U.S.
industry delegation, rather than
traveling to Russia on their own, will
enhance the companies’ ability to secure
meetings in Russia.
The mission will be supported by the
Brand USA (https://
www.thebrandusa.com/). The mission of
Brand USA is to encourage increased
international visitation to the United
States and to grow America’s share of
the global travel and tourism market. In
doing so, Brand USA aims to bring
millions of new international visitors
who will spend billions of dollars to the
United States, creating tens of
thousands of new American jobs.
All travel and tourism companies,
including U.S.-based travel and tourism
suppliers, destination marketing
organizations (i.e., convention and
visitors bureaus), travel promotion
organizations and other travel and
tourism entities promoting and selling
travel to the United States including
trade associations are encouraged to
apply.
Commercial Setting
In 2012, about 260,000 visitors from
Russia traveled to the United States. If
current trends continue, more than
300,000 visitors from Russia will have
traveled to the U.S. in 2013,
representing an increase of 30%. Since
2010, the number of visitors from Russia
to the United States has increased by an
average of more than 20% each year.
The forecast is for the number of
Russians visitors to the United States to
reach nearly 500,000 per year by 2018.
With a population of over 140
million, Russia is the ninth most
populous country in the world and is a
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
huge market for outbound travel.
Sustained economic growth, low
unemployment and rising personal
income levels mean that more Russians
are able to travel more often and to longhaul destinations, such as the United
States. According to the United Nation’s
World Tourism Organization, Russians
are among the top tourism spenders in
the world, ranking number five and
spending an estimated $42 billion in
2012. The vast majority of Russians visit
the United States for holidays and to see
family and friends. Russians enjoy
shopping, dining out, sightseeing in
cities, experiencing amusement and
theme parks, and visiting historical
places. It is noteworthy that nearly 40%
of Russians who visited the United
States in 2012 were first-time visitors.
The average income of Russians visiting
the United States is approximately
$60,000, which means they have
disposable income to spend on
shopping, dining and leisure activities.
Also, the continued strength of the Euro
and British Pound against the U.S.
dollar has helped make travel to the
United States more attractive and
affordable for Russian travelers.
For Russians, outbound travel is both
a vital part of doing business and a
trendy form of leisure holidays.
Russians experience a very cold winter
each year, and they are always searching
for sunny and dry destinations for their
holiday adventure. A significant
development is that more airlines, both
U.S. and international, have launched
non-stop service connecting Moscow
with U.S. destinations. Delta Airlines,
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Transaero,
and Singapore Airlines all offer direct
flights to U.S. cities. Aeroflot flies to
New York City, Washington, DC, and
Los Angeles; Delta flies to New York;
Transaero to New York and Miami, and
Singapore Airlines flies to Houston.
Many more international airlines
transport Russian travelers to the U.S.
via hubs such as Frankfurt, Copenhagen,
Amsterdam, Madrid, London, and
others.
Overall growth in demand for the
United States as a tourism destination
has also been driven by an increase in
disposable income in a discrete segment
of Russian society. Those travelers have
generally already traveled to Europe and
Asia, and the United States is now an
affordable destination. A supporting
factor behind the steady growth in the
number of Russian tourism to the
United States is the publicity
surrounding the improvements in the
visa application process that has taken
place in recent years. The U.S. Embassy
has made great progress in improving
the process in the face of a rapidly
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 41 / Monday, March 3, 2014 / Notices
growing number of applications
including: increasing staffing; public
speaking and outreach; providing visa
information available online in Russian;
allowing application fees and
supporting documents to be sent to the
Embassy via a courier service with
offices across Russia; and accepting
payments at Russian post offices and
online. Because of an increase in visa
reciprocity, Russians now have the
opportunity to secure three-year,
multiple entry visas. As part of a
worldwide change, most of those
wishing to renew a tourist visa within
47 months following their previous visa
expiration date can obtain their new
visa without an in-person interview.
The availability of visa information
online has made it possible to counter
the market’s impression that U.S. visas
are expensive, difficult to obtain and
take a long time to process. Russian tour
operators are also educating their
travelers regarding these improvements.
Based on the results of a recent survey
of Russian tour operators conducted by
U.S. Commercial Service Moscow, the
most promising destinations in the
United States include:
• Cities: New York City, Miami, and
Las Vegas;
• National Parks;
• Ski/Winter Resorts; and
• Leisure/Entertainment Complexes.
New York City has been and will
likely remain the most popular city
destination for Russian tourists in the
near future. Russians will often combine
their business travel to New York City
with a pleasure trip. Their family,
historical, and cultural ties to New York
City put it on the top of the list for brand
awareness, followed by Miami and other
locations in Florida, famous for their
comfort and opportunities for various
forms of leisure. As more Russian
tourists reach the U.S. West Coast,
California resorts and attractions are
becoming increasingly popular in this
respect as well. Las Vegas, historically
considered by many Russians the
gambling and entertainment capital of
the world, has gained in popularity after
July 1, 2009, when gambling was
officially banned in Russia. Interest in
national parks is growing as Russian
tourists learn more about what they
have to offer. Ski and winter sports
resorts have become more popular in
recent years as an alternative to
European resorts as they provide a
unique travel experience in terms of
variety, beauty and quality of service.
Other Products and Services
The foregoing analysis of the travel
and tourism opportunities in Russia is
not intended to be exhaustive, but
illustrative of the many opportunities
available to U.S. businesses.
Applications from companies selling
products or services within the scope of
11765
this mission, but not specifically
identified, will be considered and
evaluated by the U.S. Department of
Commerce. Companies whose products
or services do not fit the scope of the
mission may contact their local U.S.
Export Assistance Center (USEAC) to
learn about other business development
missions and services that may provide
more targeted export opportunities.
Companies may call 1–800–872–8723,
or go to https://help.export.gov/ to obtain
such information. This information also
may be found on the Web site: https://
www.export.gov.
Mission Goals
The goal of this Trade Mission is to
help U.S. destinations and tourism
suppliers, including receptive tour
operators, to develop their contacts and
generate exports to Russia by providing
business-to-business introductions and
market access information so they can
position themselves to enter or expand
their presence in Russia.
Mission Scenario
The Russia Travel and Tourism Trade
Mission will visit Moscow and St.
Petersburg with an optional stop in
Yekaterinburg, allowing participants to
access the largest markets and business
centers in Russia. In each city,
participants will meet with potential
business contacts.
PROPOSED TIME TABLE
Day
Activity
September 14 ..................................
September 15 ..................................
Sunday—Yekaterinburg .................
Monday—Yekaterinburg ................
September 16/17 .............................
Monday—Moscow .........................
Tuesday/Wednesday—Moscow ....
Arrive in Yekaterinburg (optional).
Mission Meetings Officially Start; Seminar presentation; One-one-one
business appointments; Business/Media Breakfast.
Arrive/Travel to Moscow.
Breakfast briefing with U.S. Embassy staff; Seminar presentation;
One-on-one business appointments; Media events; Evening business reception.
September 18 ..................................
September 18/19 .............................
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Date
Thursday Travel to St. Petersburg.
Thursday/Friday—St. Petersburg ..
Participation Requirements
All applicants will be evaluated on
their ability to meet certain conditions
and best satisfy the selection criteria as
outlined below. The mission is designed
for a minimum of 15 and a maximum
of 20 participants. U.S. companies
already doing business in the target
markets as well as U.S. companies
seeking to enter these markets for the
first time are encouraged to apply.
Fees and Expenses
After a company has been selected to
participate on the mission, a
participation fee to the U.S. Department
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:40 Feb 28, 2014
Jkt 232001
Seminar presentation; Trade Fair; One-on-one business appointments; Evening business reception; Mission ends.
of Commerce is required. The
participation fee for one representative
is $1900 for a small or medium-sized
enterprise (SME) 1 and $2250 for large
firms. The fee for each additional firm
representative (SME or large) is $500.
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/contractingopportunities/owners/
basics/whatismallbusiness/. 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.
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For the Yekaterinburg option, there is an
additional fee of $750 for SMEs and
$850 for large companies, and $200 for
each additional firm representative
(SME or large). Expenses for travel,
lodging, some meals, and incidentals
will be the responsibility of each
mission participant.
Conditions for Participation
An applicant must submit a
completed and signed mission
application and supplemental
application materials, including
adequate information on the company’s
products and/or services, primary
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 41 / Monday, March 3, 2014 / Notices
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.
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Selection Criteria for Participation
Suitability of the company’s products
or services to the mission goals.
Applicant’s potential for business in
Russia, including likelihood of exports
resulting from the mission.
Consistency of the applicant’s goals
and objectives with the stated scope of
the mission. Diversity of company size,
sector or subsector, and location may
also be considered during the review
process.
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—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.
Recruitment for the mission will
begin immediately, and conclude July
15, 2014. The U.S. Department of
Commerce will review applications and
make selection decisions on May 7,
2014 and again on July 28, 2014 until
the maximum of 20 participants is
selected. Applications received after
July 15, 2014, will be considered only
if space and scheduling constraints
permit.
Contacts
Frank Spector,
Trade Missions Office,
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230,
Tel: 202–482–2054,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:40 Feb 28, 2014
Jkt 232001
Fax: 202–482–9000, Frank.Spector@
trade.gov.
Scott Pozil,
Deputy Senior Commercial Officer,
U.S. Embassy,
Moscow, Russia,
Tel: 7–495–728–5364,
Fax: +7–495–728–5585, Scott.Pozil@
trade.gov.
Frank Spector,
Senior International Trade Specialist,
Trade Missions Office.
202–482–2054.
[FR Doc. 2014–04506 Filed 2–28–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
RIN 0648–XD119
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic
Zone Off Alaska; Groundfish of the
Gulf of Alaska; Central Gulf of Alaska
Rockfish Program
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Commerce.
ACTION: Notification of standard prices
and fee percentage.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: NMFS publishes the standard
ex-vessel prices and fee percentage for
cost recovery under the Central Gulf of
Alaska Rockfish Program. This action is
intended to provide participants in a
rockfish cooperative with the standard
prices and fee percentage for the 2013
fishing year, which was authorized from
May 1 through November 15. The fee
percentage is 2.5 percent. The fee
liability payments were due from each
rockfish cooperative by February 15,
2014.
DATES:
Effective March 3, 2014.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Troie Zuniga, 907–586–7255.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The rockfish fisheries are conducted
in Federal waters near Kodiak, AK, by
trawl and longline vessels. Regulations
implementing the Central Gulf of Alaska
(GOA) Rockfish Program (Rockfish
Program) are set forth at 50 CFR part
679. Exclusive harvesting privileges are
allocated under the Rockfish Program
for rockfish primary and secondary
species. The rockfish primary species
are northern rockfish, Pacific ocean
perch, and dusky rockfish. In 2012,
dusky rockfish replaced the pelagic
shelf rockfish species group in the GOA
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
Groundfish Harvest Specifications (77
FR 15194, March 14, 2012). The rockfish
secondary species include Pacific cod,
rougheye rockfish, shortraker rockfish,
sablefish, and thornyhead rockfish.
Rockfish cooperatives began fishing
under the Rockfish Program on May 1,
2012.
The Rockfish Program is a type of
limited access privilege program
established under the provisions of
section 303A of the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (MSA). Section 303A requires that
NMFS collect fees for limited access
programs to recover the actual costs
directly related to management, data
collection and analysis, and
enforcement activities. Section 304(d)(2)
of the MSA requires that NMFS collect
fees for the Rockfish Program equal to
the actual costs directly related to
management, enforcement, and data
collection (management costs). Section
304(d)(2) of the MSA also limits the cost
recovery fee so that it may not exceed
3 percent of the ex-vessel value of the
fish harvested under the Rockfish
Program.
Standard Prices
NMFS calculates cost recovery fees
based on standard ex-vessel value price,
rather than actual price data provided
by each rockfish cooperative quota (CQ)
holder. Use of a standard ex-vessel price
is allowed under sections 303A and
304(d)(2) of the MSA. NMFS generates
a standard ex-vessel price for each
rockfish primary and secondary species
on a monthly basis to determine the
average price paid per pound for all
shoreside processors receiving rockfish
primary and secondary species CQ.
Regulations at § 679.85(b)(2) require
the Regional Administrator to publish
rockfish standard ex-vessel values
during the first quarter of each calendar
year. The standard prices are described
in U.S. dollars per pound for rockfish
primary and secondary species CQ
landings made during the previous year.
Fee Percentage
NMFS assesses a fee on the standard
ex-vessel value of rockfish primary
species and rockfish secondary species
CQ harvested by rockfish cooperatives
in the Central GOA and waters adjacent
to the Central GOA when rockfish
primary species caught by a cooperative
is deducted from the Federal total
allowable catch. The rockfish entry level
longline fishery and opt-out vessels are
not subject to cost recovery fees because
those participants do not receive
rockfish CQ. Specific details on the
Rockfish Program’s cost recovery
provision may be found in the
E:\FR\FM\03MRN1.SGM
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11764-11766]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04506]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Travel and Tourism Trade Mission to Russia September 15--19, 2014
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, including the National Travel and Tourism Office
(https://travel.trade.gov/), with support from Brand USA (https://www.thebrandusa.com/) is organizing an Executive-led trade mission to
Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia with an optional stop in
Yekaterinburg, Russia, September 15-19, 2014. The purpose of this
mission is to help U.S. firms in the travel and tourism industry find
business partners and sell services in Russia. The targeted sector for
participation in this mission is travel and tourism, including U.S.-
based travel and tourism suppliers, destination marketing organizations
(i.e., convention and visitors bureaus), travel promotion organizations
and other travel and tourism entities promoting and selling travel to
the United States including trade associations.
The mission will include stops in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where
participants will receive market briefings and participate in
customized meetings with key officials and prospective partners. There
will be an optional stop in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The mission supports President Obama's National Export Initiative
(NEI) to strengthen the U.S. economy and U.S. competitiveness through
meaningful job creation and furthers the National Travel and Tourism
Strategy. The mission will help U.S. companies already doing business
in Russia to increase their footprint and deepen their business
interests.
The mission will help participating firms and associations/
organizations gain market insights, make industry contacts, solidify
business strategies, and advance specific projects, with the goal of
increasing U.S. exports of services to Russia. The mission will include
one-on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers,
agents, distributors and joint venture partners; meetings with state
and local government officials and industry leaders; and networking
events. Participating in an official U.S. industry delegation, rather
than traveling to Russia on their own, will enhance the companies'
ability to secure meetings in Russia.
The mission will be supported by the Brand USA (https://www.thebrandusa.com/). The mission of Brand USA is to encourage
increased international visitation to the United States and to grow
America's share of the global travel and tourism market. In doing so,
Brand USA aims to bring millions of new international visitors who will
spend billions of dollars to the United States, creating tens of
thousands of new American jobs.
All travel and tourism companies, including U.S.-based travel and
tourism suppliers, destination marketing organizations (i.e.,
convention and visitors bureaus), travel promotion organizations and
other travel and tourism entities promoting and selling travel to the
United States including trade associations are encouraged to apply.
Commercial Setting
In 2012, about 260,000 visitors from Russia traveled to the United
States. If current trends continue, more than 300,000 visitors from
Russia will have traveled to the U.S. in 2013, representing an increase
of 30%. Since 2010, the number of visitors from Russia to the United
States has increased by an average of more than 20% each year. The
forecast is for the number of Russians visitors to the United States to
reach nearly 500,000 per year by 2018.
With a population of over 140 million, Russia is the ninth most
populous country in the world and is a huge market for outbound travel.
Sustained economic growth, low unemployment and rising personal income
levels mean that more Russians are able to travel more often and to
long-haul destinations, such as the United States. According to the
United Nation's World Tourism Organization, Russians are among the top
tourism spenders in the world, ranking number five and spending an
estimated $42 billion in 2012. The vast majority of Russians visit the
United States for holidays and to see family and friends. Russians
enjoy shopping, dining out, sightseeing in cities, experiencing
amusement and theme parks, and visiting historical places. It is
noteworthy that nearly 40% of Russians who visited the United States in
2012 were first-time visitors. The average income of Russians visiting
the United States is approximately $60,000, which means they have
disposable income to spend on shopping, dining and leisure activities.
Also, the continued strength of the Euro and British Pound against the
U.S. dollar has helped make travel to the United States more attractive
and affordable for Russian travelers.
For Russians, outbound travel is both a vital part of doing
business and a trendy form of leisure holidays. Russians experience a
very cold winter each year, and they are always searching for sunny and
dry destinations for their holiday adventure. A significant development
is that more airlines, both U.S. and international, have launched non-
stop service connecting Moscow with U.S. destinations. Delta Airlines,
Aeroflot Russian Airlines, Transaero, and Singapore Airlines all offer
direct flights to U.S. cities. Aeroflot flies to New York City,
Washington, DC, and Los Angeles; Delta flies to New York; Transaero to
New York and Miami, and Singapore Airlines flies to Houston. Many more
international airlines transport Russian travelers to the U.S. via hubs
such as Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Madrid, London, and others.
Overall growth in demand for the United States as a tourism
destination has also been driven by an increase in disposable income in
a discrete segment of Russian society. Those travelers have generally
already traveled to Europe and Asia, and the United States is now an
affordable destination. A supporting factor behind the steady growth in
the number of Russian tourism to the United States is the publicity
surrounding the improvements in the visa application process that has
taken place in recent years. The U.S. Embassy has made great progress
in improving the process in the face of a rapidly
[[Page 11765]]
growing number of applications including: increasing staffing; public
speaking and outreach; providing visa information available online in
Russian; allowing application fees and supporting documents to be sent
to the Embassy via a courier service with offices across Russia; and
accepting payments at Russian post offices and online. Because of an
increase in visa reciprocity, Russians now have the opportunity to
secure three-year, multiple entry visas. As part of a worldwide change,
most of those wishing to renew a tourist visa within 47 months
following their previous visa expiration date can obtain their new visa
without an in-person interview. The availability of visa information
online has made it possible to counter the market's impression that
U.S. visas are expensive, difficult to obtain and take a long time to
process. Russian tour operators are also educating their travelers
regarding these improvements.
Based on the results of a recent survey of Russian tour operators
conducted by U.S. Commercial Service Moscow, the most promising
destinations in the United States include:
Cities: New York City, Miami, and Las Vegas;
National Parks;
Ski/Winter Resorts; and
Leisure/Entertainment Complexes.
New York City has been and will likely remain the most popular city
destination for Russian tourists in the near future. Russians will
often combine their business travel to New York City with a pleasure
trip. Their family, historical, and cultural ties to New York City put
it on the top of the list for brand awareness, followed by Miami and
other locations in Florida, famous for their comfort and opportunities
for various forms of leisure. As more Russian tourists reach the U.S.
West Coast, California resorts and attractions are becoming
increasingly popular in this respect as well. Las Vegas, historically
considered by many Russians the gambling and entertainment capital of
the world, has gained in popularity after July 1, 2009, when gambling
was officially banned in Russia. Interest in national parks is growing
as Russian tourists learn more about what they have to offer. Ski and
winter sports resorts have become more popular in recent years as an
alternative to European resorts as they provide a unique travel
experience in terms of variety, beauty and quality of service.
Other Products and Services
The foregoing analysis of the travel and tourism opportunities in
Russia is not intended to be exhaustive, but illustrative of the many
opportunities available to U.S. businesses. Applications from companies
selling products or services within the scope of this mission, but not
specifically identified, will be considered and evaluated by the U.S.
Department of Commerce. Companies whose products or services do not fit
the scope of the mission may contact their local U.S. Export Assistance
Center (USEAC) to learn about other business development missions and
services that may provide more targeted export opportunities. Companies
may call 1-800-872-8723, or go to https://help.export.gov/ to obtain
such information. This information also may be found on the Web site:
https://www.export.gov.
Mission Goals
The goal of this Trade Mission is to help U.S. destinations and
tourism suppliers, including receptive tour operators, to develop their
contacts and generate exports to Russia by providing business-to-
business introductions and market access information so they can
position themselves to enter or expand their presence in Russia.
Mission Scenario
The Russia Travel and Tourism Trade Mission will visit Moscow and
St. Petersburg with an optional stop in Yekaterinburg, allowing
participants to access the largest markets and business centers in
Russia. In each city, participants will meet with potential business
contacts.
Proposed Time Table
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Day Activity
------------------------------------------------------------------------
September 14.................. Sunday--Yekaterin Arrive in
burg. Yekaterinburg
(optional).
September 15.................. Monday--Yekaterin Mission Meetings
burg. Officially Start;
Seminar
presentation; One-
one-one business
appointments;
Business/Media
Breakfast.
Monday--Moscow... Arrive/Travel to
Moscow.
September 16/17............... Tuesday/ Breakfast briefing
Wednesday--Mosco with U.S. Embassy
w. staff; Seminar
presentation; One-on-
one business
appointments; Media
events; Evening
business reception.
September 18.................. Thursday Travel
to St.
Petersburg.
September 18/19............... Thursday/Friday-- Seminar presentation;
St. Petersburg. Trade Fair; One-on-
one business
appointments;
Evening business
reception; Mission
ends.
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Participation Requirements
All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below.
The mission is designed for a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20
participants. U.S. companies already doing business in the target
markets as well as U.S. companies seeking to enter these markets for
the first time are encouraged to apply.
Fees and Expenses
After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a
participation fee to the U.S. Department of Commerce is required. The
participation fee for one representative is $1900 for a small or
medium-sized enterprise (SME) \1\ and $2250 for large firms. The fee
for each additional firm representative (SME or large) is $500. For the
Yekaterinburg option, there is an additional fee of $750 for SMEs and
$850 for large companies, and $200 for each additional firm
representative (SME or large). Expenses for travel, lodging, some
meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission
participant.
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\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/contractingopportunities/owners/basics/whatismallbusiness/. 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.
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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
[[Page 11766]]
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
Suitability of the company's products or services to the mission
goals. Applicant's potential for business in Russia, including
likelihood of exports resulting from the mission.
Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with the stated
scope of the mission. Diversity of company size, sector or subsector,
and location may also be considered during the review process.
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--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.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately, and conclude
July 15, 2014. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications
and make selection decisions on May 7, 2014 and again on July 28, 2014
until the maximum of 20 participants is selected. Applications received
after July 15, 2014, will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit.
Contacts
Frank Spector,
Trade Missions Office,
U.S. Department of Commerce,
Washington, DC 20230,
Tel: 202-482-2054,
Fax: 202-482-9000, Frank.Spector@trade.gov.
Scott Pozil,
Deputy Senior Commercial Officer,
U.S. Embassy,
Moscow, Russia,
Tel: 7-495-728-5364,
Fax: +7-495-728-5585, Scott.Pozil@trade.gov.
Frank Spector,
Senior International Trade Specialist,
Trade Missions Office.
202-482-2054.
[FR Doc. 2014-04506 Filed 2-28-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P