[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 185 (Friday, September 24, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 58356-58361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23960]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
http://www.mcc.gov). USAID is currently financing several projects in
Jordan related to water, giving priority to American equipment
suppliers (see http://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: http://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, http://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, http://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,
http://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 (http://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 http://www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). 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 http://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 (http://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 http://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: [email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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:
[email protected].
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