MEXICO
JUNE 17 – 20, 2002
MISSION STATEMENT
I. DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSION
Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans will lead a senior-level business development mission to Mexico City and Monterrey, Mexico.
The focus of the mission will be to help U.S. companies explore business
opportunities in Mexico. The delegation will include approximately 15 U.S.-based
senior executives of small, medium and large U.S. firms representing, but
not limited to, technology, equipment, and services in the following key
growth sectors: energy and energy efficiency, environmental and water resources,
information technology, telecommunications, transportation, medical, and
manufacturing. These key sectors reflect Mexico’s infrastructure needs,
the growth of a consumer society, and the boom in manufacturing created
by NAFTA and the proximity of the U.S. market.
Mexico recently obtained "investment grade" status for its public debt
from both Moody’s and Standard and Poor’s, a reflection of the country’s
sound economic fundamentals and stable macroeconomic policy.
The Business Development Mission will provide participants with exposure to high-level business and government contacts and an understanding of market trends and the commercial environment. American Embassy officials will provide a detailed briefing on the economic, commercial and political climate, and participants will receive individual counseling on their specific interests from U.S. Commercial Service industry specialists. Meetings will be arranged as appropriate with senior government officials and potential business partners. Representational events also will be organized to provide mission participants with opportunities to meet Mexico’s business and government representatives, as well as U.S. business people living and working in Mexico.
The tentative trip itinerary will be as follows:
June 17th – Arrive Mexico City
June 18th – One-on-One Business Meetings in Mexico City
June 19th – Travel to Monterrey, One-on-One Business Meetings in Monterrey
June 20th – One-on-One Business Meetings in Monterrey
June 21st – Optional spin-off trips to Guadalajara or Tijuana
for further business meetings, at additional expense.
V. CRITERIA FOR PARTICIPATION OF COMPANIES
The recruitment and selection of private sector participants for this mission will be conducted according to the "Statement of Policy Governing Department of Commerce-Overseas Trade Missions" established in March 1997. Promotion and recruitment will include, but not be limited to, posting on appropriate Department of Commerce web pages, notification in the Federal Register, and through distribution of the trade mission statement and further information to national and other trade associations and trade publications. Approximately 15 companies will be selected for the mission. Companies will be selected according to the criteria set out below.
- Consistency of company's goals with the scope and desired outcome of the mission as described herein;
- Relevance of a company's business and product line to market opportunities in Mexico;
- Seniority of the representative of the designated company;
- Past, present, or prospective international business activity;
- Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics, and traditional under-representation in business;
- Degree of company's commitment to corporate citizenship.
VI. TIME FRAME FOR APPLICATIONS
Applications for the trade mission to Mexico will be made available on or about March 22, 2002. The fee to participate in the mission will be between $4,000 – $6,000. Expenses for travel, lodging, and some meals will be the responsibility of each participant. For additional information on the trade mission or to obtain an application, contact the Department of Commerce Office of Business Liaison at 202-482-1360. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business Liaison by May 1, 2002, in order to ensure sufficient time to obtain in-country appointments for applicants selected to participate in the mission. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
Contact:
Office of Business Liaison
Room 5062
Department of Commerce
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-1360
Fax: (202) 482-4054
Mission Web Site: http://www.doc.gov/mexicotrademission