[Federal Register: August 6, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 150)]
[Notices]
[Page 43622-43624]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06au07-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Mission Statement; Afghanistan International Carpet Fair; August
26-28, 2007
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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Mission Description
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez's priorities for Afghanistan
include helping the country develop three sectors in which it has a
comparative advantage: rugs, dried fruits and nuts, and mining. The
International Trade Administration of the Department of Commerce is
[[Page 43623]]
organizing a U.S. carpet trade mission to Kabul, Afghanistan for the
Afghanistan International Carpet Fair on August 26-28, 2007. The
mission will assist U.S. rug businesses exploring trade and investment
opportunities in Afghanistan's rug sector. Assistant Secretary David
Bohigian will lead a delegation of U.S.-based executives of U.S. firms
interested in pursuing business in Afghanistan's rug sector. The
mission will include participation in the Carpet Fair, matchmaking, and
a potential site visit to a rug production facility. The mission will
reaffirm the U.S. Government's support towards bilateral relations and
seek to expand opportunities for U.S. companies in Afghanistan.
Commercial Setting
Afghanistan has a comparative advantage in producing hand woven
rugs, putting this sector on the cutting edge of the Afghanistan's
reintegration into the global economy. Afghanistan's rugs have a rich
legacy of artistry and craftsmanship, which has been handed down
through many generations. Each type of rug is unique to the location in
which it was produced and inspired. Afghanistan produces various types
of rugs woven out of wool, silk, and cotton.
Due to the current lack of finishing facilities, Afghanistan sends
more than eighty percent of its rugs to Pakistan, where they are
finished and labeled ``made in Pakistan''. This Trade Mission will
enable delegates to explore opportunities for investing in rug
producing facilities and exporting textile equipment to Afghanistan. As
such, the Mission could play a valuable role in preserving the brand
identity of Afghan rugs, by helping producers to finish and export
their own rugs.
The Afghan Government is helping Afghan rug producers connect their
craftsmanship to the world. In conjunction with the U.S. Department of
Commerce, the Government of Afghanistan organized two previous
delegations of Afghan rug producers to visit the United States. In July
2006, a delegation visited major retailers and rug importers in New
York, Atlanta, and Washington, DC. In February 2007, a second
delegation attended the AmericasMart International Area Rug Market in
Atlanta, where Afghanistan's rugs were part of a major cultural
showcase.
This first-ever Afghanistan International Carpet Fair will provide
an opportunity for Afghan rug producers and U.S. buyers to network,
create business relationships, and allow U.S. buyers to explore
investment opportunities in the rug sector. The Trade Mission presents
a unique opportunity for seasoned U.S. rug professionals to partner
with Afghan rug producers as Afghanistan strives to re-establish its
leadership position in the global rug business.
Mission Goals: The mission aims to further U.S. commercial policy
objectives and to advance specific U.S. business interests in the U.S.
and Afghan rug sectors. The mission will:
Create an opportunity for members of the U.S. rug sector
to meet and network with Afghan rug producers;
Allow U.S. rug business delegates to visit Afghan rug
producing facilities and explore potential investment opportunities;
Assess the commercial climate of Afghanistan's rug sector
as well as export and investment opportunities in Afghanistan;
Encourage continued progress in economic development in
Afghanistan.
Mission Scenario: This mission will enable participants to gain
access to the Afghan rug market on a large scale. The mission will
include VIP participation in the rug show and a potential visit to at
least one rug producing facility. Participants will be part of the
carpet fair's opening night-VIP reception with high-level Afghan
government officials, including President Karzai (to be confirmed). The
event will provide opportunities to network with over 70 Afghan rug
vendors at the show. The show will feature a broad range of rugs from
Afghanistan's diverse rug producing provinces. Networking will also
include one-on-one meetings between the U.S. rug business delegates and
Afghan rug producers.
Mission Timetable: The precise schedule will depend on the
availability of local government and business officials and the
specific goals of the mission participants. The tentative trip
itinerary will be as follows:
Sunday, August 26
Arrive in Kabul
Attend opening reception for the Afghanistan International Carpet Fair,
Serena Hotel
Meet with high-level U.S. and Afghan Government officials
Monday, August 27
Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair
Networking between buyers and sellers
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers
Potential site visit to rug producing facilities
Tuesday, August 28
Attend Afghanistan International Carpet Fair
Networking between buyers and sellers
One-on-one meetings between buyers and sellers
Potential site visit to rug producing facilities
Wednesday, August 29
Depart Kabul
Criteria for Participation and Selection: We are looking to recruit
five to ten delegates from the U.S. rug industry to participate in this
mission. Recruitment and selection will be conducted according to the
``Statement of Policy Governing Department of Commerce-Overseas Trade
Missions'' established in March 1997.
Eligibility: Participating companies must be incorporated or
otherwise organized in the United States.
Selection Criteria: Companies will be selected for participation in
the mission on the basis of:
Consistency of company's goals with the scope and desired
outcome of the mission;
Relevance of a company's business and product line to the
identified growth sectors;
Rank of the designated company representative;
Past, present, or prospective relevant international
business activity;
Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics,
and traditional under-representation in business; and
Timely receipt of the company's signed and completed
application, participation agreement, and participation fee.
Additionally, U.S. exporters applying for this mission, such as rug
finishing machinery manufacturers or distributors, must certify that
the company's products or services are either produced in the United
States, or, if not, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least fifty-one percent U.S. content. The production and content
requirements do not apply to U.S. buyer and U.S. investor applicants.
Recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce
Department trade missions calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html
), the Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force
Web site (http://www.export.gov/afghanistan), and 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.
[[Page 43624]]
An applicant's partisan, political activities (including political
contribution) are entirely irrelevant to the selection process. The fee
to participate in this mission is approximately USD 1,500. The fee will
not cover travel expenses, meals or lodging. Recruitment begins
immediately and will close on August 8, 2007. Applications received
after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit. The mission Web site (http://www.export.gov/afghanistan/events
) will share information as it becomes available.
Disclaimer
Trade mission members participate in the trade mission and
undertake related travel at their own risk and are advised to obtain
insurance accordingly. Any question regarding insurance coverage must
be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice. The U.S.
Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the
safety or security of participants. Companies should consult the State
Department's travel warning for Afghanistan: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2121.html.
The Department of Commerce will
coordinate with the U.S. Embassy in Kabul to arrange for all
transportation of the trade mission participants to and from the hotel
and on visits to rug producing facilities. The Serena Hotel is
responsible for providing security for the event venue. The Serena
Hotel is a luxury hotel and does have security measures in place.
The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees
as to the success of the trade mission.
Noor Alam,
Afghanistan Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, U.S. Department
of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482-1812, Fax: (202) 482-
0980, E-mail: AfghanInfo@ita.doc.gov.
[FR Doc. E7-15202 Filed 8-3-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P