[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 70 (Tuesday, April 12, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20320-20323]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-8715]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Executive Business
Development Mission
AGENCY: International Trade Administration.
ACTION: Notice.
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Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing
a Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade Mission to Turkey on
October 23-29, 2011. Led by a senior Department of Commerce official,
the mission will include representatives from a variety of U.S. firms
specializing in the following product areas:
Wind Turbines;
Geothermal Exploration, Drilling and Geophysical
Engineering Services;
Geothermal Power Plant Equipment;
Biomass Power Generation;
Hydroelectric Power Plant Equipment Supply;
Solar Power Generation Systems;
Cogeneration Systems;
Energy Efficiency Systems and Solutions;
Fuel Cells, Heat Pumps Exc.
Mission participants will be introduced to international agents,
distributors, and end-users whose capabilities and services are
targeted to each participant's needs. This mission will contribute to
the National Export Initiative and the Renewable Energy and Energy
Efficiency Export Initiative goals through increased sales of U.S.
equipment/services in Turkey. The participants will also have a site
visit to the Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone, targeted by the
U.S. Department of Energy for a Near-Zero Zone Project (NZZ) to promote
industrial energy efficiency and potential U.S. export opportunities.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in coordination with other U.S.
agencies, is launching the Near-Zero Zone project. This interagency
project has the support of the Turkish government and business
organizations, and will help industrial companies operating within the
Izmir Ataturk Organized Industrial Zone (IAOSB) reduce their energy
usage through a series of cost-effective efficiency upgrades.
One-on-one meetings with NZZ industrial participants will also be
included, to follow quickly on an energy efficiency survey to be
completed in September 2011. This mission will be an important
deliverable for our bilateral Framework for Strategic Economic and
Commercial Cooperation mechanism, a new process of engagement with the
government of Turkey on economic and trade issues, chaired by Secretary
Locke and U.S. Trade Representative, Ron Kirk.
Participants will have an opportunity to meet with major buyers,
and potential agents and distributors operating in Ankara, Istanbul,
and Izmir, Turkey. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service is targeting
a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 U.S. companies.
Commercial Setting
Turkey is a country offering significant opportunities for foreign
investors and exporters with its geographically favorable position to
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function as a gateway between Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Opportunities exist not only in the dynamic domestic market in Turkey,
but also throughout the region.
Hospitality and tolerance being the traditional cornerstones of the
Turkish way of life, the country is open to foreign firms. Foreign
Direct Investment (FDI) in Turkey slowed to $7.9 billion in 2009 during
the height of the world economic crisis, but has reached $20 billion in
previous years. There are approximately 24,000 companies with foreign
capital in Turkey. Corporate income tax is only 20%, dividends can be
transferred, foreign capital companies enjoy the same rights as local
companies, international arbitration is possible, and expatriates can
be employed.
A treaty between the U.S. and Turkey exists for the protection of
foreign investments and another treaty between the U.S. and Turkey
exists for the avoidance of double taxation. Turkey has a customs union
agreement with the EU that covers trade in all goods, except
agriculture goods: The export and import of these industrial goods from
the EU have a zero percent customs duty. Turkey has agreed to implement
most EU Directives regarding the safety of products and recognizes the
CE certification of those types of products.
As announced by the International Monetary Fund, Turkey has the
16th largest economy in the world. In 2010, Turkey's GDP reached $958.3
billion. Turkey has a young, dynamic, well-educated and multi-cultural
population of 73 million, the second largest population after Germany
in Europe. Sixty percent of the population is under the age of 35.
Turkish imports in 2010 are estimated at $166 billion and Turkish
exports about $114 billion for the same period (2010 official results
are not announced yet). U.S. exports to Turkey in 2010 will exceed $10
billion and Turkish exports to the U.S. over $4 billion. Total U.S. FDI
in Turkey is over $7 billion, a conservative figure given investment by
European subsidiaries of U.S. parent corporations.
Turkey is strategically located. Turkey is often referred to as
`The Energy Bridge between East and West'. Seventy-three percent of the
world's proven oil reserves and seventy-two percent of the world's
proven gas reserves are located in the surrounding regions of Turkey:
The Middle East, Caspian Region and Russia. This makes Turkey a crucial
bridge between energy rich regions and Europe, which spends
approximately $300 billion annually for imported energy resources.
Turkey is a manufacturing center with ambitions to become a
regional energy hub. The international image of Turkey in terms of a
destination for investment is generally shaped by the diverse market
opportunities--both domestic and export-oriented--that Turkey offers.
The potential of these markets covers over one billion consumers,
including a large and growing domestic market (approx. 72 million
people); high-income European markets (600 million people); emerging
Russian, Caucasian and Central Asian markets (250 million people); and
the expanding Middle East and North Africa markets (160 million
people). These markets have approximately $25 trillion in combined GDP.
Turkey emerged from the world economic crisis much better than
expected. The banking sector was strong and did not suffer any major
crisis. Turkey's economy grew by 7-8% in 2010 and unlike the general
trend; this was not a jobless recovery. Throughout the crisis Turkey
was the only country whose credit rating was upgraded by two grades.
Credit rating agencies and financial markets praised the strong
performance and healthy state of the Turkish economy and demonstrated
confidence in Turkey's economic policies.
In the 2010-2014 Energy Strategy Paper announced recently by the
Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources (MENR) Taner Yildiz,
Turkey plans to have 20,000 MW of wind energy and 600 MW of geothermal
energy capacity by 2023 (100th year anniversary of the Turkish
Republic). Turkey plans to have 5,000 MW new hydroelectric power
plants, 10,000 MW wind power farms, 300 MW geothermal power plants come
into operation by 2015. As part of the energy efficiency programs, the
Turkish government plans to decrease the primary energy intensity by
10% before 2015 and 20% before 2023.
Turkey ranks No. 1 in Europe and No. 7 in the world in terms of
geothermal power potential. Power generation from biomass will become
more important as large municipalities are considering more efficient
methods of disposing of municipal waste. After Spain, Turkey has the
second largest potential for solar power development in Europe.
Turkey also has large hydroelectric potential. Currently 30% of
Turkey's installed capacity is from hydroelectric resources. Many
Turkish private companies are investing in run of river type of
electromechanical equipment which is mostly supplied from China,
Austria, Norway and Germany. The US&FCS Turkey receives a considerable
amount of inquiries from Turkish companies, asking for hydro
electromechanical equipment from the U.S. with U.S. Ex-Im Bank
financing.
The Government of Turkey has adopted a new legal framework to
increase the feed-in tariff for the electricity to be delivered from
different types of renewable energy resources. Over the next five
years, Turkey's investments on renewable energy are estimated to expand
to $20 billion.
U.S.-Turkish relations focus on areas such as strategic energy
cooperation, trade and investment, security ties, regional stability,
counterterrorism, and human rights progress. President Barack Obama
paid a historic visit to Turkey on April 5-7, 2009, as the first
bilateral visit of his presidency. During the visit, he spoke before
the Turkish Parliament and outlined his vision of a model U.S.-Turkish
partnership based on mutual interests and mutual respect. The inaugural
Framework for Strategic Economic and Commercial Cooperation meeting was
held in Washington, DC in October 2010. In addition to the new
framework, the U.S. and Turkey hold annual meetings of the Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council, which met in Washington,
DC in July 2010, and Economic Partnership Commission (EPC), which last
convened in Turkey in June 2010.
On May 14, 2010, Under Secretary of Commerce for International
Trade, Francisco S[aacute]nchez and Undersecretary for Foreign Trade of
Turkey Ahmet Yakici signed the Terms of Reference for the establishment
of a newly formed U.S.-Turkey Business Council (Council). The Council
will bring together U.S. and Turkish business leaders to provide policy
recommendations to both governments jointly on ways to strengthen
bilateral economic relations.
Mission Goals
The trade mission will assist representatives of U.S. companies in
the Renewable Energy and energy efficiency industries responsible for
business activity in Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia, the Middle East
and North Africa markets with their efforts to identify profitable
opportunities and new markets for their respective U.S. companies and
to increase their export potential in joint cooperation with Turkish
companies.
Mission Scenario
In Turkey, mission members will also be presented with a briefing
by the U.S. Embassy Country Team, the Commercial Specialist for the
renewable energy sector and other key government and
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corporate officials. Participants will take part in business
matchmaking appointments with Turkish private sector companies, which
may be potential candidates for agent/representative or distributors.
The trade mission will visit: Ankara, the capital of Turkey, a growing
industrial base and the seat of government; Istanbul, where
headquarters of most private sector companies are located; and Izmir,
Turkey's third largest city with strong renewable energy and energy
efficiency potential.
U.S. participants will be counseled before and after the mission by
the domestic mission coordinator. Participation in the mission will
include the following:
Pre-travel webinars on subjects ranging from industry
briefings to business practices in Turkey;
Pre-scheduled meetings with potential partners,
distributors, end users, or local industry contacts;
Transportation to all mission-organized meetings inside
the cities (all air transportation within Turkey is the responsibility
of the mission participant);
Meetings with key government decision makers and private
sector firms;
Participation in networking receptions in Turkey; and
Meetings with CS Turkey's energy specialists in Ankara,
Istanbul and Izmir, Turkey.
Mission Timetable
Mission participants will arrive in Ankara on October 23, 2011 and
the mission program will take place Oct. 24-28, 2011. Departure to the
United States or other onward destinations will be on Oct. 29, 2011.
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Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 Arrival in Ankara, Turkey
Ankara, Turkey
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Day 1:
Monday, Oct. 24, 2011, Ankara, Wreath laying at the
Turkey. Ataturk's Mausoleum (Anitkabir)
(optional).
Agenda review and market
briefings by U.S. mission
officials.
Meeting with Minister of
Energy and Natural Resources or
designate.
Meeting with State
Minister for Foreign Trade or
designate.
Briefing by Ministry of
Energy, Regulator EMRA and EIE.
Networking reception.
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Day 2:
Tuesday, Oct 25, 2011, Morning 1-1 matchmaking
Ankara-Istanbul, Turkey meetings.
Afternoon departure to
Istanbul.
Evening Bosporus Cruise
(working reception and dinner with
American and Turkish business
communities).
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Day 3:
Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2011, Morning meeting with the
Izmir, Turkey Mayor of Istanbul or designate and
site visit to waste-to-energy
facilities (optional).
Afternoon 1-1 matchmaking
meetings.
Evening departure to
Izmir.
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Day 4:
Thursday, Oct. 27, 2011, Izmir, Morning 1-1 matchmaking
Turkey meetings.
Afternoon site visit to
wind farms in Cesme (optional).
Evening networking
reception.
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Day 5:
Friday, Oct. 28, 2011, Izmir, Site visit to Ataturk
Turkey Industrial Zone for U.S. DOE-led
``Near Zero Zone'' Energy
Efficiency Project (optional).
1-1 matchmaking meetings.
Wrap-up session.
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Day 6:
Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011, Izmir, Departure to the U.S.
Turkey (same day arrival in U.S.).
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Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the Commercial Service
Trade Mission 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. A minimum of 15 companies and
a maximum of 20 companies will be selected to participate in the
mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies already doing business
with Turkey as well as U.S. companies seeking to enter the Turkish
market for the first time may apply.
Expenses
After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a
payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation
fee is required. The participation fee will be $4,055 for large firms
and $3,285 for a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME)* or small
organization, which will cover one representative.
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* 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/contractingopportunities/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).
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The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME)
is $500.
Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be
the responsibility of each mission participant. Delegation members will
be
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able to take advantage of U.S. Mission discounted rates for hotel
rooms.
Conditions for Participation
An applicant must submit in a timely manner 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.
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/contractingopportunities/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).
Selection Criteria for Participation: Selection will be based on
the following criteria:
Suitability of the company's products or services to the
market
Applicant's potential for business in Turkey and in the
region, 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.
Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including posting on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar--
http://www.trade.gov/trade-missions--and other Internet Web sites,
publication in domestic trade publications and association newsletters,
direct outreach to internal clients and distribution lists, posting in
the Federal Register, and announcements at industry meetings, symposia,
conferences, and trade shows.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than July 15, 2011. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review
all applications immediately after the deadline. We will inform
applicants of selection decisions as soon as possible after the
deadline. Applications received after this date will be considered only
if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contact Information
U.S. Commercial Service Ankara, Turkey
Michael Lally, Senior Commercial Officer or Serdar Cetinkaya,
Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy--Ankara, Tel: +90 (312) 457-
7278 or 457-7203, Fax: +90 (312) 457-7302, E-mail:
[email protected] and [email protected].
U.S. Commercial Service Istanbul, Turkey
Gregory Taevs, Principal Commercial Officer, Ebru Olcay, Commercial
Specialist, Tel: +90 (212) 335-9302 or 335-9223, Fax: +90 (212) 335-
9103, E-mail: [email protected] and [email protected].
U.S. Commercial Service Izmir, Turkey
Berrin Ert[uuml]rk, Senior Commercial Specialist, U.S. Embassy--
Izmir, Tel: +90 (232) 441-2446, Fax: +90 (232) 489-0267, E-mail:
[email protected].
U.S. Commercial Service Bakersfield, California
Glen Roberts, Director, U.S. Export Assistance Center Bakersfield,
Tel: 661-637-0136, Fax: 661-637-0156, E-mail: [email protected].
Elnora Moye,
Commercial Service Trade Mission Program, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2011-8715 Filed 4-11-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P