[Federal Register: September 8, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 173)]
[Notices]
[Page 52891-52893]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr08se03-29]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Business Development Mission to Brazil
AGENCY: Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice to Announce Business Development Mission to Brazil,
November 9-13, 2003.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel W. Bodman, and Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash,
will lead a senior-level business development mission to Sao Paulo,
Brasilia and Recife, Brazil from November 9-13, 2003. The focus of the
mission will be to help U.S. companies explore trade and investment
opportunities in Brazil. The delegation will include approximately 10-
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: infrastructure (port, rail,
construction), information technology, security, agribusiness and
biotechnology.
DATES: Applications should be submitted to the Office of Business
Liaison by October 3, 2003. Applications received after that date
[[Page 52892]]
will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Business Liaison; Room 5062;
Department of Commerce; Washington, DC 20230; Tel: (202) 482-1360; Fax:
(202) 482-4054.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Business Development Mission to Brazil
November 9-13, 2003
I. Description of the Mission
Deputy Secretary of Commerce Samuel W. Bodman, and Assistant
Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance William Lash,
will lead a senior-level business development mission to Sao Paulo,
Brasilia and Recife, Brazil from November 9-13, 2003. The focus of the
mission will be to help U.S. companies explore trade and investment
opportunities in Brazil. The delegation will include approximately 10-
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: infrastructure (port, rail,
construction), information technology, security, agribusiness and
biotechnology.
II. Commercial Setting for the Mission
Brazil is the largest market in the Western Hemisphere after the
United States, with 180 million people and a GDP of over $450 billion.
Total trade between the United States and Brazil has held steady at
about $30 billion per year. In 2002, Brazil had a $13 billion surplus
with the world ($3.4 billion with the U.S.) as a result of an
aggressive export strategy, relatively favorable exchange rate regime,
and strong agricultural exports.
Brazil offers substantial opportunities for U.S. firms due to the
sheer size and sophistication of its internal market. Developing
Brazil's infrastructure is a priority for the Lula Administration, and
is key to modernizing the underdeveloped Northeast region of the
country, as well as furthering efficiency in the Brazil's industrial
zones. The Brazilian federal government and many individual states are
moving forward on a variety of infrastructure development projects
backed by multilateral lending institutions, focusing on transportation
and construction. Development of Brazil's technology sector--both
information technology and biotechnology--is another priority for the
Lula government. Strong links between the research and industry
communities offer a wealth of business opportunities across the
country. Brazil also has advanced genetic and biotechnology research
sectors with a focus on agriculture and agribusiness.
The financial situation in Brazil has greatly improved since last
year's Presidential elections. The new administration immediately set
out to calm the markets by vowing to maintain strict fiscal policies,
fulfill Brazil's debt obligations, promote economic growth, and install
pro-business officials in his cabinet. Although high interest rates
have dampened internal investment, the Lula Administration has created
a solid economic climate by holding inflation in check, reforming part
of the tax code, and working to reduce bureaucracy in international
trade.
III. Goals for the Mission
The mission will further U.S. commercial policy objectives, and
advance specific U.S. business interests. It is intended to:
[sbull] Assist individual U.S. companies to pursue export and other
new business opportunities in Brazil by introducing them to key
government decision-making officials and potential business partners;
[sbull] Evaluate the market potential for the company's products
and assist firms in gaining an understanding of how to operate
successfully in Brazil's commercial environment;
[sbull] Enhance the dialogue between government and industry on
issues affecting U.S.-Brazil commercial relations, and build upon the
pro-growth agenda launched during the Summit between President Bush and
Brazilian President Lula; and
[sbull] Promote the benefits of economic growth through liberalized
trade and investment policies, especially in the underdeveloped
Northeast region of Brazil.
IV. Scenario for the Mission
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 the in-country
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 Brazil's business and
government representatives, as well as U.S. business people living and
working in Brazil.
The tentative trip itinerary will be as follows:
November 9--Arrive Brasilia; Mission Begins
November 10--Meetings with the Brazilian Government
November 11--Travel to Recife for Business Meetings
November 12--Travel to Sao Paulo for Business Meetings
November 13--Business Meetings in Sao Paulo; Mission Concludes
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. Approximately 10-15 companies will be selected for the
mission. Companies will be selected according to the criteria set out
below.
Eligibility
Applicants must be: (1) incorporated in the United States; and (2)
the products and/or services that it will promote (a) must be
manufactured or produced in the United States; or (b) if manufactured
or produced outside the United States, must be marketed under the name
of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent
of the value of the finished good or service.
Selection Criteria
Companies will be selected for participation in the mission on the
basis of:
[sbull] Consistency of company's goals with the scope and desired
outcome of the mission as described herein;
[sbull] Relevance of a company's business and product line to
market opportunities in Brazil;
[sbull] Rank of the designated company representative;
[sbull] Past, present, or prospective international business
activity;
[sbull] Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics,
and traditional under-representation in business;
[sbull] Degree of company's commitment to good corporate
citizenship; and
[sbull] Timely receipt of signed mission application, participation
agreement, and participation fee.
Recruitment will begin immediately and will be conducted in an open
and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register,
posting on the Commerce Department trade missions
[[Page 52893]]
calendar--http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html_and other Internet
websites, press releases to the general and trade media. Promotion of
the mission will also take place through the involvement of U.S. Export
Assistance Centers and relevant trade associations.
An applicant's partisan political activities (including political
contributions) are irrelevant to the selection process.
VI. Time Frame for Applications
Applications for the trade mission to Brazil will be made available
on or about September 4, 2003. The fee to participate in the mission
has not yet been determined, but will be approximately $5,000 to
$8,000. The participation fee will not cover travel to and from Brazil
or lodging expenses; these will be the responsibility of each mission
participant. For additional information on the trade mission or to
obtain an application, contact the Office of Business Liaison at (202)
482-1360. Applications should be submitted by October 3, 2003, 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. A mission website will be posted at
http://www.commerce.gov/brazilmission2003 to share information as it
becomes available. Contact: Office of Business Liaison, Room 5062,
Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482-1360 Fax:
(202) 482-4054, e-mail: obl@doc.gov, http://www.commerce.gov/
brazilmission2003.
Dated: September 2, 2003.
Dan McCardell,
Director, Office of Business Liaison, Room 5062, Department of
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 03-22716 Filed 9-5-03; 8:45 am]