Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade Mission, 72734-72737 [2023-23365]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2023 / Notices
The open session will be accessible
via teleconference. To join the
conference, submit inquiries to Ms.
Yvette Springer at Yvette.Springer@
bis.doc.gov no later than November 1,
2023.
A limited number of seats will be
available for the public session.
Reservations are not accepted. To the
extent that time permits, members of the
public may present oral statements to
the Committee. The public may submit
written statements at any time before or
after the meeting. However, to facilitate
the distribution of public presentation
materials to the Committee members,
the Committee suggests that presenters
forward the public presentation
materials prior to the meeting to Ms.
Springer via email.
The Assistant Secretary for
Administration, with the concurrence of
the delegate of the General Counsel,
formally determined on October 20,
2022, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. chapter 10 of
the FACA, (5 U.S.C. 1009(d)), that the
portion of the meeting dealing with predecisional changes to the Commerce
Control List and the U.S. export control
policies shall be exempt from the
provisions relating to public meetings
found in 5 U.S.C. 1009(a)(1) and
1009(a)(3). The remaining portions of
the meeting will be open to the public.
For more information, contact Ms.
Springer via email.
Yvette Springer,
Committee Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023–23363 Filed 10–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JT–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Announcement of Approved
International Trade Administration
Trade Mission
International Trade
Administration, Department of
Commerce.
SUMMARY: The United States Department
of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is announcing
one upcoming trade mission that will be
recruited, organized, and implemented
by ITA. This mission is: Global
Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade
Mission to Panama, Costa Rica and
Colombia in Conjunction with the
‘‘Opportunities for Women-Owned
Businesses in the Americas’’
Conference—March 10–15, 2024. A
summary of the mission is found below.
Application information and more
detailed mission information, including
the commercial setting and sector
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AGENCY:
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information, can be found at the trade
mission website: https://www.trade.gov/
trade-missions. For each 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.trade.gov/trade-missionsschedule) and other internet websites,
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jeffrey Odum, Events Management Task
Force, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone:
(202) 482–6397 or email Jeffrey.Odum@
trade.gov.
The
Following Conditions for Participation
Will Be Used for the Mission:
Applicants must submit a completed
and signed mission application and
supplemental application materials,
including adequate information on their
products and/or services, primary
market objectives, and goals for
participation that is adequate to allow
the Department of Commerce to
evaluate their application. If the
Department of Commerce receives an
incomplete application, the Department
of Commerce may either: reject the
application, request additional
information/clarification, or take the
lack of information into account when
evaluating the application. If the
requisite minimum number of
participants is not selected for a
particular mission by the recruitment
deadline, the mission may be cancelled.
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,
are marketed under the name of a U.S.
firm and have at least 51% U.S. content
by value. In the case of a trade
association or organization, the
applicant must certify that, for each firm
or service provider to be represented by
the association/organization, the
products and/or services the
represented firm or service provider
seeks to export are either produced in
the United States or, if not, marketed
under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least 51% U.S. content by value.
A trade association/organization
applicant must certify and agree to the
above for every company it seeks to
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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represent on the mission. In addition,
each applicant must:
• Certify that the products and
services that it wishes to market through
the mission would be in compliance
with U.S. export controls and
regulations;
• Certify that it has identified any
matter pending before any bureau or
office in the Department of Commerce;
• Certify that it has identified any
pending litigation (including any
administrative proceedings) to which it
is a party that involves the Department
of Commerce; and
• Sign and submit an agreement that
it and its affiliates (1) have not and will
not engage in the bribery of foreign
officials in connection with a
company’s/participant’s involvement in
this mission, and (2) maintain and
enforce a policy that prohibits the
bribery of foreign officials.
In the case of a trade association/
organization, the applicant must certify
that each firm or service provider to be
represented by the association/
organization can make the above
certifications.
The Following Selection Criteria Will
Be Used for the Mission
Targeted mission participants are U.S.
firms, services providers and trade
associations/organizations providing or
promoting U.S. products and services
that have an interest in entering or
expanding their business in the
mission’s destination country. The
following criteria will be evaluated in
selecting participants:
• Suitability of the applicant’s (or in
the case of a trade association/
organization, represented firm’s or
service provider’s) products or services
to these markets;
• The applicant’s (or in the case of a
trade association/organization,
represented firm’s or service provider’s)
potential for business in the markets,
including likelihood of exports resulting
from the mission; and
• Consistency of the applicant’s (or in
the case of a trade association/
organization, represented firm’s or
service provider’s) goals and objectives
with the stated scope of the mission.
Balance of company size and location
may also be considered during the
review process.
Referrals from a political party or
partisan political group or any
information, including on the
application, containing references to
political contributions or other partisan
political activities will be excluded from
the application and will not be
considered during the selection process.
The sender will be notified of these
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2023 / Notices
exclusions. The Department of
Commerce will evaluate applications
and inform applicants of selection
decisions on a rolling basis until the
maximum number of participants has
been selected.
Definition of Small and Medium-Sized
Enterprise
For purposes of assessing
participation fees, an applicant is a
small and medium-sized enterprise
(SME) if it qualifies as a ‘‘small
business’’ under the Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) size standards
(https://www.sba.gov/document/
support--table-size-standards), which
vary by North American Industry
Classification System (NAICS) Code.
The SBA Size Standards Tool (https://
www.sba.gov/size-standards) can help
you determine the qualifications that
apply to your company.
Mission List: (additional information
about trade missions can be found at
https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).
Global Diversity Export Initiative
(GDEI) Trade Mission to Panama, Costa
Rica and Colombia in Conjunction With
the ‘‘Opportunities for Women-Owned
Businesses in the Americas’’
Conference—March 10–15, 2024
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Summary
The United States Department of
Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing a
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI)
Trade Mission to Panama, Costa Rica,
and Colombia from March 10–15, 2024,
that will include the ‘‘Opportunities for
Woman-Owned Businesses in the
Americas’’ Conference in Panama City,
Panama on March 10–11, 2024. The
mission is horizontal, with various
industries and sectors represented and
will be based on best prospects and
growth potential for U.S. companies in
Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia.
Recruitment and consideration will be
extended to all export-ready U.S.
companies, including small businesses,
trade associations and other exporting
organizations that meet the established
criteria for participation in the mission.
In keeping with the U.S. Department of
Commerce’s Equity Action Plan, ITA
seeks to improve outreach to and
representation of businesses with
owners and/or leaders from underserved
communities, including through the
Global Diversity Export Initiative of the
U.S. Commercial Service. This mission
will expand access to export
opportunities to U.S. small and
medium-sized businesses, including
those founded, led, operated or owned
by women from industries with growing
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potential in Panama, Costa Rica, and
Colombia.
This mission is in alignment with
Executive Order 13985 on Advancing
Racial Equity and Support for
Underserved Communities Through the
Federal Government (January 25, 2021)
(E.O. 13985), Executive Order 14091 on
Further Advancing Racial Equity and
Support for Underserved Communities
Through the Federal Government
(February 22, 2022) (E.O. 14091),
Executive Order 14020 on the
Establishment of the White House
Gender Policy Council (March 11, 2021)
(E.O. 14020), and the Global Diversity
Export Initiative of the U.S. Commercial
Service. For the purposes of the trade
mission, ITA adopts the definition of
‘‘underserved communities’’ in E.O.
14020, incorporated into E.O. 14091:
‘‘populations sharing a particular
characteristic, as well as geographic
communities, that have been
systematically denied a full opportunity
to participate in aspects of economic,
social, and civic life, as exemplified by
the list in the preceding definition of
‘‘equity.’’ ‘‘Equity’’ is defined as ‘‘the
consistent and systematic fair, just, and
impartial treatment of all individuals,
including individuals who belong to
underserved communities that have
been denied such treatment, such as
women and girls; Black, Latino, and
Indigenous and Native American
persons, Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders and other persons of color;
members of religious minorities;
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and
queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with
disabilities; persons who live in rural
areas; and persons otherwise adversely
affected by persistent poverty or
inequality.’’ This trade mission is also
designed to be responsive to the
priorities stated by Secretary of
Commerce Gina Raimondo and outlined
in the Equity Action Plan released in
April 2022 which aspires to ‘‘harness
the talents and strengths of all parts of
the country, including women, people
of color, and others who are too often
left behind’’ including by
‘‘[s]trengthen[ing] small businesses in
underserved communities by helping
them be successful exporters’’.
Women own 12 million businesses in
the United States, employing more than
10 million workers.1 According to the
U.S. Small Business Administration
(citing the 2018 Census Bureau’s
Annual Business Survey, latest data
1 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/
statements-releases/2023/03/27/fact-sheetpresident-biden-announces-new-resources-tosupport-women-small-businesses-ownerscontinued-commitment-to-supporting-americasentrepreneurs/.
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available), women-owned businesses
contributed $2.1 trillion in total sales to
the U.S. economy and $388 billion in
annual payroll. The 2020 Census
Bureau’s Annual Business Survey
included three top sectors for womenowned employer firms as: (1) healthcare
and social assistance (216,000 womenowned employer firms); (2) professional,
scientific and technical services
(207,000 women-owned employer
firms); and (3) retail trade (137,000
women-owned employer firms).2
Despite these promising statistics,
women-owned businesses face unique
obstacles in accessing overseas markets,
including difficulty obtaining financing
and lack of knowledge about export
opportunities. By including attendance
at the ‘‘Opportunities for WomanOwned Businesses in the Americas’’
Conference in Panama City, Panama on
March 10–11, 2024, this mission will
assist U.S. small and medium-sized
businesses, including those founded,
led, operated or owned by women to
find partners and begin or expand
exports in Panama, Costa Rica and
Colombia. Each country benefits from a
free trade agreement with the United
States.
Trade mission participants will arrive
in Panama City, Panama on March 10 to
attend the opening reception for the
‘‘Opportunities for Woman-Owned
Businesses in the Americas’’
Conference, which is also open to U.S.
companies not participating in the trade
mission. The Businesses Conference
will focus on regional and industryspecific sessions and will gather experts
on market entry strategies, logistics,
procurement, trade financing, access to
capital, and other important topics to
assist women business exporters. The
registration fee for the business
conference is included in the trade
mission costs.
On Sunday, March 10, trade mission
participants will participate in one-onone meetings (U.S. diplomats and/or
industry specialists from 15 U.S.
Embassies from the region will be
available), a trade mission briefing, and
a networking reception. On Monday,
March 11, participants will engage in
the business conference that will
include a morning plenary session, a
networking lunch, afternoon workshops
and one-on-one meetings with key
service providers and U.S. diplomats
and/or industry specialists, information
and material on trade-related resources,
and an evening networking reception.
On Tuesday, March 12, selected
participants will engage in business-to2 https://advocacy.sba.gov/2023/03/21/factsabout-small-business-women-ownership-statistics/.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2023 / Notices
business (B2B) meetings in Panama City
or travel to Costa Rica or Colombia to
engage in B2B appointments in those
markets. B2B meetings will be
conducted with pre-screened potential
buyers, agents, distributors or jointventure partners, in the selected city/
stop in Panama, and/or Costa Rica, and/
or Colombia. The combination of the
‘‘Opportunities for Woman-Owned
Businesses in the Americas’’ Conference
and the B2B matchmaking opportunities
in Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia
will provide participants with
substantive information on strategies for
entering or expanding their business in
Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia, key
contacts with Commercial Service
officers and local staff, and networking
opportunities to build vital business
relationships.
Saturday, March 09, 2024 ..............
Sunday, March 10, 2024 ................
Monday, March 11, 2024 ................
Best Prospects
The mission is horizontal, with
various industries and sectors
represented, based on best prospects for
U.S. companies in Panama, Costa Rica
and Colombia. Best prospect sectors
include: Agricultural Products;
Automotive Parts, Accessories and
Service Equipment; Construction
Equipment; Cosmetics; Cybersecurity;
Defense & Security; Disposable Medical
Supplies; eCommerce; Education;
Electric Power and Renewable Energy
Systems; Information and
Communication Technology (ICT);
Infrastructure; Medical Devices and
Equipment; Oil and Gas Exploration and
Production Equipment; Processed Food
and Beverages; Solar Energy Products;
and Travel and Tourism.
Other Products and Services
Applications from companies
exporting 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. Commercial Service office to
learn about other business development
missions and services that may provide
more targeted export opportunities.
Companies may visit https://
www.trade.gov/contact-us to obtain
such information. This information also
may be found on the website: https://
www.trade.gov/.
Proposed Timetable
* Note: The final schedule and potential
site visits will depend on the availability of
host government and business officials,
specific goals of mission participants, and
ground transportation.
Travel Day/Arrival in Panama City, Panama.
Panama. Business Conference. Afternoon: Registration, U.S. Embassy Officer Meetings and Market Briefings. Evening: Networking Reception.
Panama. Business Conference. Morning: Registration. Plenary Session. Afternoon: U.S. Embassy Officer
Meetings and Workshops. Evening: Networking Reception.
B2B Meeting Options
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Tuesday–Friday, March 12–15,
2024.
Travel to Business-to-Business Meetings in (up to two markets): Option (A) Panama. Option (B) Costa
Rica. Option (C) Colombia.
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating
in the U.S. Department of Commerce
GDEI Trade Mission to Panama, Costa
Rica and Colombia must complete and
submit an application package for
consideration by the U.S. 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 20 and a maximum of
40 firms and/or trade associations will
be selected to participate in the mission
on a first come, first served basis.
All selected participants will attend
the Business Conference in Panama City
and will have the opportunity for B2B
meetings in up to two markets (Panama
and/or Costa Rica, and/or Colombia).
The number of firms that may be
selected for B2B meetings in each
country is as follows: 20 companies for
Panama; 20 companies for Costa Rica;
20 companies for Colombia.
During the registration process,
applicants will be able to select the
countries for which they would like to
receive a brief market assessment. Upon
receipt of market assessment reports,
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they will be able to select up to two
stops for B2B meetings.
The trade mission is open to U.S.
firms already doing business, and
seeking to expand market share, in
Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia and
to those U.S. firms new to these
markets.
Fees and Expenses
After a firm or trade association is
selected to participate in the mission, a
payment to the Department of
Commerce in the form of a participation
fee is required. The fees are as follow:
If one stop/country is selected for B2B
meetings, the participation fee will be
$2,800 for a small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME) (see above definition
of SMEs) and $4,000 for large firms.
If two stops/countries are selected for
B2B meetings, the participation fee will
be $3,800 for a small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME) (see above definition
of SMEs) and $5,000 for large firms.
The mission participation fees above
include the ‘‘Opportunities for WomanOwned Businesses in the Americas’’
Conference registration fee of $500,
which covers one participant per firm.
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Ground transportation to B2B meetings
will be provided for trade mission
delegation participants if meetings are
conducted outside the hotel where the
Business Conference will take place.
If and when an applicant is selected
to participate in this mission, a payment
to the Department of Commerce in the
amount of the designated participation
fee above is required. Upon notification
of acceptance, those selected have five
business days to submit payment or the
acceptance may be revoked.
Participants selected for a trade
mission will be expected to pay for the
cost of personal expenses, including,
but not limited to, international travel,
lodging, meals, transportation,
communication, and incidentals, unless
otherwise noted. Participants will,
however, be able to take advantage of
U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms.
In the event that the mission is
cancelled, no personal expenses paid in
anticipation of a mission will be
reimbursed. However, participation fees
for a cancelled mission will be
reimbursed to the extent they have not
already been expended in anticipation
of the mission.
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 203 / Monday, October 23, 2023 / Notices
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If a visa is required to travel on a
particular mission, applying for and
obtaining such a visa will be the
responsibility of the mission
participant. Government fees and
processing expenses to obtain such a
visa are not included in the
participation fee. However, the
Department of Commerce will provide
instructions to each participant on the
procedures required to obtain business
visas.
Trade mission members participate in
trade missions and undertake missionrelated travel at their own risk. The
nature of the security situation in any
given foreign market at a given time
cannot be guaranteed. The U.S.
Government does not make any
representations or guarantees as to the
safety or security of participants. The
U.S. Department of State issues U.S.
Government international travel alerts
and warnings for U.S. citizens available
at https://travel.state.gov/content/
passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any
question regarding insurance coverage
must be resolved by the participant and
its insurer of choice.
Travel and in-person activities are
contingent upon the safety and health
conditions in the United States and the
mission countries. Should safety or
health conditions not be appropriate for
travel and/or in-person activities, the
Department will consider postponing
the event or offering a virtual program
in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the
event of a postponement, the
Department will notify the public, and
applicants previously selected to
participate in this mission will need to
confirm their availability but need not
reapply. Should the decision be made to
organize a virtual program, the
Department will adjust fees accordingly,
prepare an agenda for virtual activities,
and notify the previously selected
applicants with the option to opt-in to
the new virtual program.
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.trade.gov/trademissions) https://www.trade.gov/, the
Trade Americas web page (https://
www.trade.gov/trade-americas-events)
and other internet websites, press
releases to the general and trade media,
direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by
industry trade associations and other
multiplier groups, and announcements
at industry meetings, symposia,
conferences, and trade shows.
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Recruitment for the mission will
begin immediately and conclude no
later than Friday, December 29, 2023.
The U.S. Department of Commerce will
review applications and make selection
decisions on a rolling basis until the
maximum of 40 participants are
selected. After Friday, December 29,
2023, companies will be considered
only if space and scheduling constraints
permit.
Contacts
U.S. Trade Americas Team Contact
Information
Diego Gattesco, Director/Trade
Americas Team Leader, U.S.
Commercial Service Wheeling, WV,
Email: Diego.Gattesco@trade.gov, Tel:
304–243–5493
Sara E. Hagigh, Senior International
Trade Specialist, Multilateral &
Strategic Initiatives Team, Office of
Western Hemisphere, U.S.
Department of Commerce,
International Trade Administration,
Washington, DC, Email: Sara.Hagigh@
trade.gov, Tel: 202–482–5405
Commercial Service Panama Contact
Information
Timothy Cannon, Senior Commercial
Officer, U.S. Embassy Panama City,
Panama, Email: Timothy.Cannon@
trade.gov, Tel: (507) 6612–3606
Commercial Service Costa Rica Contact
Information
Ryan Hollowell, Senior Commercial
Officer, U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa
Rica, Email: Ryan.Hollowell@
trade.gov, Tel: (506) 2519–2293
Commercial Service Colombia Contact
Information
Lisa White, Commercial Officer, U.S.
Embassy Bogota, Colombia, Email:
Lisa.White@trade.gov, Tel: (+57) 321–
843–6314
Gemal Brangman,
Director, Trade Events Management Task
Force.
[FR Doc. 2023–23365 Filed 10–20–23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
[A–893–002, A–487–001, A–546–001, A–533–
919, A–475–845, A–803–001, A–201–859, A–
565–804, A–455–807, A–856–002, A–469–
826, A–583–873]
Mattresses From Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burma, India,
Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the Philippines,
Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan:
Postponement of Preliminary
Determinations in the Less-Than-FairValue Investigations
Enforcement and Compliance,
International Trade Administration,
Department of Commerce.
AGENCY:
DATES:
Applicable October 23, 2023.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Amaris Wade (Bosnia and Herzegovina)
at (202) 482–6334; TJ Worthington
(Bulgaria) at (202) 482–4567; Ajay
Menon (Burma) at (202) 482–0208;
Steven Seifert (India) at (202) 482–3350;
Caroline Carroll (Italy) at (202) 482–
4948; Sean Carey (Kosovo) at (202) 482–
3964; Benjamin Blythe (Mexico) at (202)
482–3457; Emily Halle (the Philippines)
at (202) 482–0176; Dakota Potts (Poland)
at (202) 482–0223; Andrew Hart
(Slovenia) at (202) 482–1058; Matthew
Palmer (Spain) at (202) 482–1678; and
Terre Keaton (Taiwan) at (202) 482–
1280, AD/CVD Operations, Enforcement
and Compliance, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue
NW, Washington, DC 20230.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On August 17, 2023, the U.S.
Department of Commerce (Commerce)
initiated less-than-fair-value (LTFV)
investigations of imports of Mattresses
from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria,
Burma, India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the
Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain,
and Taiwan.1 Currently, the preliminary
determinations are due no later than
January 4, 2024.
Postponement of Preliminary
Determinations
Section 733(b)(1)(A) of the Tariff Act
of 1930, as amended (the Act), requires
Commerce to issue the preliminary
determination in an LTFV investigation
within 140 days after the date on which
Commerce initiated the investigation.
However, section 733(c)(1)(A)(b)(1) of
1 See Mattresses from Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Bulgaria, Burma, India, Italy, Kosovo, Mexico, the
Philippines, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, and Taiwan:
Initiation of Less-Than-Fair-Value Investigations, 88
FR 57433 (August 23, 2023) (Initiation Notice).
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 203 (Monday, October 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72734-72737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-23365]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade
Mission
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission that
will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is:
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Panama,
Costa Rica and Colombia in Conjunction with the ``Opportunities for
Women-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference--March 10-15, 2024.
A summary of the mission is found below. Application information and
more detailed mission information, including the commercial setting and
sector information, can be found at the trade mission website: https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions. For each 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.trade.gov/trade-missions-schedule) and other
internet websites, 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Odum, Events Management Task
Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce,
1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202)
482-6397 or email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Following Conditions for Participation
Will Be Used for the Mission:
Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application
and supplemental application materials, including adequate information
on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals
for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce
to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives
an incomplete application, the Department of Commerce may either:
reject the application, request additional information/clarification,
or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the
application. If the requisite minimum number of participants is not
selected for a particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the
mission may be cancelled.
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, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least 51% U.S. content by value. In the case of a trade association
or organization, the applicant must certify that, for each firm or
service provider to be represented by the association/organization, the
products and/or services the represented firm or service provider seeks
to export are either produced in the United States or, if not, marketed
under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51% U.S. content by
value.
A trade association/organization applicant must certify and agree
to the above for every company it seeks to represent on the mission. In
addition, each applicant must:
Certify that the products and services that it wishes to
market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export
controls and regulations;
Certify that it has identified any matter pending before
any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
Certify that it has identified any pending litigation
(including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that
involves the Department of Commerce; and
Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates
(1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in
connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission,
and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of
foreign officials.
In the case of a trade association/organization, the applicant must
certify that each firm or service provider to be represented by the
association/organization can make the above certifications.
The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission
Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers
and trade associations/organizations providing or promoting U.S.
products and services that have an interest in entering or expanding
their business in the mission's destination country. The following
criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:
Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's)
products or services to these markets;
The applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/
organization, represented firm's or service provider's) potential for
business in the markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from
the mission; and
Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade
association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's)
goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission. Balance of
company size and location may also be considered during the review
process.
Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any
information, including on the application, containing references to
political contributions or other partisan political activities will be
excluded from the application and will not be considered during the
selection process. The sender will be notified of these
[[Page 72735]]
exclusions. The Department of Commerce will evaluate applications and
inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling basis until the
maximum number of participants has been selected.
Definition of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise
For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant is a
small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies as a ``small
business'' under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size
standards (https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards),
which vary by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
Code. The SBA Size Standards Tool (https://www.sba.gov/size-standards)
can help you determine the qualifications that apply to your company.
Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be
found at https://www.trade.gov/trade-missions).
Global Diversity Export Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Panama,
Costa Rica and Colombia in Conjunction With the ``Opportunities for
Women-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference--March 10-15, 2024
Summary
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration (ITA), is organizing a Global Diversity Export
Initiative (GDEI) Trade Mission to Panama, Costa Rica, and Colombia
from March 10-15, 2024, that will include the ``Opportunities for
Woman-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference in Panama City,
Panama on March 10-11, 2024. The mission is horizontal, with various
industries and sectors represented and will be based on best prospects
and growth potential for U.S. companies in Panama, Costa Rica and
Colombia.
Recruitment and consideration will be extended to all export-ready
U.S. companies, including small businesses, trade associations and
other exporting organizations that meet the established criteria for
participation in the mission. In keeping with the U.S. Department of
Commerce's Equity Action Plan, ITA seeks to improve outreach to and
representation of businesses with owners and/or leaders from
underserved communities, including through the Global Diversity Export
Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. This mission will expand
access to export opportunities to U.S. small and medium-sized
businesses, including those founded, led, operated or owned by women
from industries with growing potential in Panama, Costa Rica, and
Colombia.
This mission is in alignment with Executive Order 13985 on
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through
the Federal Government (January 25, 2021) (E.O. 13985), Executive Order
14091 on Further Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved
Communities Through the Federal Government (February 22, 2022) (E.O.
14091), Executive Order 14020 on the Establishment of the White House
Gender Policy Council (March 11, 2021) (E.O. 14020), and the Global
Diversity Export Initiative of the U.S. Commercial Service. For the
purposes of the trade mission, ITA adopts the definition of
``underserved communities'' in E.O. 14020, incorporated into E.O.
14091: ``populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as
geographic communities, that have been systematically denied a full
opportunity to participate in aspects of economic, social, and civic
life, as exemplified by the list in the preceding definition of
``equity.'' ``Equity'' is defined as ``the consistent and systematic
fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including
individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied
such treatment, such as women and girls; Black, Latino, and Indigenous
and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and
other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay,
bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with
disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise
adversely affected by persistent poverty or inequality.'' This trade
mission is also designed to be responsive to the priorities stated by
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and outlined in the Equity Action
Plan released in April 2022 which aspires to ``harness the talents and
strengths of all parts of the country, including women, people of
color, and others who are too often left behind'' including by
``[s]trengthen[ing] small businesses in underserved communities by
helping them be successful exporters''.
Women own 12 million businesses in the United States, employing
more than 10 million workers.\1\ According to the U.S. Small Business
Administration (citing the 2018 Census Bureau's Annual Business Survey,
latest data available), women-owned businesses contributed $2.1
trillion in total sales to the U.S. economy and $388 billion in annual
payroll. The 2020 Census Bureau's Annual Business Survey included three
top sectors for women-owned employer firms as: (1) healthcare and
social assistance (216,000 women-owned employer firms); (2)
professional, scientific and technical services (207,000 women-owned
employer firms); and (3) retail trade (137,000 women-owned employer
firms).\2\
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\1\ https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/03/27/fact-sheet-president-biden-announces-new-resources-to-support-women-small-businesses-owners-continued-commitment-to-supporting-americas-entrepreneurs/.
\2\ https://advocacy.sba.gov/2023/03/21/facts-about-small-business-women-ownership-statistics/.
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Despite these promising statistics, women-owned businesses face
unique obstacles in accessing overseas markets, including difficulty
obtaining financing and lack of knowledge about export opportunities.
By including attendance at the ``Opportunities for Woman-Owned
Businesses in the Americas'' Conference in Panama City, Panama on March
10-11, 2024, this mission will assist U.S. small and medium-sized
businesses, including those founded, led, operated or owned by women to
find partners and begin or expand exports in Panama, Costa Rica and
Colombia. Each country benefits from a free trade agreement with the
United States.
Trade mission participants will arrive in Panama City, Panama on
March 10 to attend the opening reception for the ``Opportunities for
Woman-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference, which is also open
to U.S. companies not participating in the trade mission. The
Businesses Conference will focus on regional and industry-specific
sessions and will gather experts on market entry strategies, logistics,
procurement, trade financing, access to capital, and other important
topics to assist women business exporters. The registration fee for the
business conference is included in the trade mission costs.
On Sunday, March 10, trade mission participants will participate in
one-on-one meetings (U.S. diplomats and/or industry specialists from 15
U.S. Embassies from the region will be available), a trade mission
briefing, and a networking reception. On Monday, March 11, participants
will engage in the business conference that will include a morning
plenary session, a networking lunch, afternoon workshops and one-on-one
meetings with key service providers and U.S. diplomats and/or industry
specialists, information and material on trade-related resources, and
an evening networking reception. On Tuesday, March 12, selected
participants will engage in business-to-
[[Page 72736]]
business (B2B) meetings in Panama City or travel to Costa Rica or
Colombia to engage in B2B appointments in those markets. B2B meetings
will be conducted with pre-screened potential buyers, agents,
distributors or joint-venture partners, in the selected city/stop in
Panama, and/or Costa Rica, and/or Colombia. The combination of the
``Opportunities for Woman-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference
and the B2B matchmaking opportunities in Panama, Costa Rica, and
Colombia will provide participants with substantive information on
strategies for entering or expanding their business in Panama, Costa
Rica, and Colombia, key contacts with Commercial Service officers and
local staff, and networking opportunities to build vital business
relationships.
Best Prospects
The mission is horizontal, with various industries and sectors
represented, based on best prospects for U.S. companies in Panama,
Costa Rica and Colombia. Best prospect sectors include: Agricultural
Products; Automotive Parts, Accessories and Service Equipment;
Construction Equipment; Cosmetics; Cybersecurity; Defense & Security;
Disposable Medical Supplies; eCommerce; Education; Electric Power and
Renewable Energy Systems; Information and Communication Technology
(ICT); Infrastructure; Medical Devices and Equipment; Oil and Gas
Exploration and Production Equipment; Processed Food and Beverages;
Solar Energy Products; and Travel and Tourism.
Other Products and Services
Applications from companies exporting 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. Commercial Service office to learn about other
business development missions and services that may provide more
targeted export opportunities. Companies may visit https://www.trade.gov/contact-us to obtain such information. This information
also may be found on the website: https://www.trade.gov/.
Proposed Timetable
* Note: The final schedule and potential site visits will depend
on the availability of host government and business officials,
specific goals of mission participants, and ground transportation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 09, 2024.......... Travel Day/Arrival in Panama City,
Panama.
Sunday, March 10, 2024............ Panama. Business Conference.
Afternoon: Registration, U.S.
Embassy Officer Meetings and Market
Briefings. Evening: Networking
Reception.
Monday, March 11, 2024............ Panama. Business Conference.
Morning: Registration. Plenary
Session. Afternoon: U.S. Embassy
Officer Meetings and Workshops.
Evening: Networking Reception.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
B2B Meeting Options
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tuesday-Friday, March 12-15, 2024. Travel to Business-to-Business
Meetings in (up to two markets):
Option (A) Panama. Option (B) Costa
Rica. Option (C) Colombia.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the U.S. Department of
Commerce GDEI Trade Mission to Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia must
complete and submit an application package for consideration by the
U.S. 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 20 and a maximum of 40 firms and/or trade associations
will be selected to participate in the mission on a first come, first
served basis.
All selected participants will attend the Business Conference in
Panama City and will have the opportunity for B2B meetings in up to two
markets (Panama and/or Costa Rica, and/or Colombia). The number of
firms that may be selected for B2B meetings in each country is as
follows: 20 companies for Panama; 20 companies for Costa Rica; 20
companies for Colombia.
During the registration process, applicants will be able to select
the countries for which they would like to receive a brief market
assessment. Upon receipt of market assessment reports, they will be
able to select up to two stops for B2B meetings.
The trade mission is open to U.S. firms already doing business, and
seeking to expand market share, in Panama, Costa Rica and Colombia and
to those U.S. firms new to these markets.
Fees and Expenses
After a firm or trade association is selected to participate in the
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a
participation fee is required. The fees are as follow:
If one stop/country is selected for B2B meetings, the participation
fee will be $2,800 for a small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) (see
above definition of SMEs) and $4,000 for large firms.
If two stops/countries are selected for B2B meetings, the
participation fee will be $3,800 for a small and medium-sized
enterprises (SME) (see above definition of SMEs) and $5,000 for large
firms.
The mission participation fees above include the ``Opportunities
for Woman-Owned Businesses in the Americas'' Conference registration
fee of $500, which covers one participant per firm. Ground
transportation to B2B meetings will be provided for trade mission
delegation participants if meetings are conducted outside the hotel
where the Business Conference will take place.
If and when an applicant is selected to participate in this
mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the
designated participation fee above is required. Upon notification of
acceptance, those selected have five business days to submit payment or
the acceptance may be revoked.
Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay
for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to,
international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication,
and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be
able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the
event that the mission is cancelled, no personal expenses paid in
anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation
fees for a cancelled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have
not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.
[[Page 72737]]
If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying
for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a
visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department
of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the
procedures required to obtain business visas.
Trade mission members participate in trade missions and undertake
mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security
situation in any given foreign market at a given time cannot be
guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or
guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S.
Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts
and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/alertswarnings.html. Any question regarding
insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer
of choice.
Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and
health conditions in the United States and the mission countries.
Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or
in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event
or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the
event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public, and
applicants previously selected to participate in this mission will need
to confirm their availability but need not reapply. Should the decision
be made to organize a virtual program, the Department will adjust fees
accordingly, prepare an agenda for virtual activities, and notify the
previously selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new
virtual program.
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.trade.gov/trade-missions) https://www.trade.gov/, the Trade Americas web page (https://www.trade.gov/trade-americas-events) and other internet websites, press
releases to the general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax,
notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and
announcements at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade
shows.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than Friday, December 29, 2023. The U.S. Department of Commerce
will review applications and make selection decisions on a rolling
basis until the maximum of 40 participants are selected. After Friday,
December 29, 2023, companies will be considered only if space and
scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
U.S. Trade Americas Team Contact Information
Diego Gattesco, Director/Trade Americas Team Leader, U.S. Commercial
Service Wheeling, WV, Email: [email protected], Tel: 304-243-
5493
Sara E. Hagigh, Senior International Trade Specialist, Multilateral &
Strategic Initiatives Team, Office of Western Hemisphere, U.S.
Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, Washington,
DC, Email: [email protected], Tel: 202-482-5405
Commercial Service Panama Contact Information
Timothy Cannon, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Panama City,
Panama, Email: [email protected], Tel: (507) 6612-3606
Commercial Service Costa Rica Contact Information
Ryan Hollowell, Senior Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy San Jose, Costa
Rica, Email: [email protected], Tel: (506) 2519-2293
Commercial Service Colombia Contact Information
Lisa White, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy Bogota, Colombia, Email:
[email protected], Tel: (+57) 321-843-6314
Gemal Brangman,
Director, Trade Events Management Task Force.
[FR Doc. 2023-23365 Filed 10-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P
