Information Technology Dealmaker, Totonto, Canada, February 3-4, 1999 

The U.S. Commercial Service in Toronto is organizing a two-day Information Technology Dealmaker trade mission to provide U.S. small- and medium-sized, export-ready, companies with a cost effective and highly efficient means to promote their products and services in the Canadian information technology market. In addition to meeting one-on-one, with pre-qualified potential business partners in Canada, participating firms will receive broad market exposure and valuable insights from market research and focused industry briefings. Participants will also benefit from various networking events including a visit to the Internet World '99 show, scheduled for February 2-5, 1999 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario. Mission Statement 

Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley will travel to South Korea March 25-27, 1999, for a business development mission, and to China March 28 - April 1, 1999, to lead a multi-agency business development infrastructure mission. 

The multi-agency infrastructure mission to China, which was announced during the Presidential Summit in June of this year, is designed to include cabinet and other senior officials representing infrastructure-related agencies in the U.S. Government. 

Building on the momentum of President Clinton's November 1998 visit to Korea in which Secretary Daley participated, the mission to Korea will broaden commercial ties and help U.S. companies take advantage of opportunities arising out of Korea's economic reform program. Mission Statement...|...More Info on Industry Sectors for the Mission...Mission Page 

TASBI Environmental Technologies Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Italy and Germany, March 9-16, 1999 

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker program is organizing a TASBI Environmental Technologies Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Italy and Germany March 8-17, 1999. This event will be promoted to the U.S. environmental industry and will focus on helping companies expand into this market. Mission Statement 

Ambassador David Aaron's Business Development Mission to Central America, March 21-28, 1999 

Under Secretary of International Trade, Ambassador David Aaron will lead a business development mission of 15 U.S. companies to Central America. The mission will visit Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and El Salvador. In the wake of Hurricane Mitch, significant portions of regional infrastructure, as well as major sources of foreign exchange and economic growth, have been damaged. Reconstruction needs are estimated at over $8 billion for the region. 

Focusing on reconstruction, the mission will strive to expand opportunities for U.S. companies in the following sectors: general infrastructure (roads and bridges; power generation/distribution; urban construction; environment; water; tourism; telecommunications; port expansion/management; emergency preparedness equipment), finance, light manufacturing, and agribusiness. Additionally, the growing interest in the regional integration of energy, transport and telecommunication will be explored. In each country, meetings will be held with senior government officials, leaders of the local business communities and members of the American Chambers of Commerce. Mission Statement 

Architecture, Construction and Engineering/Infrastructure Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Brazil, April 12-16, 1999 

Export Promotion Services’ Matchmaker Trade Delegation Program is organizing an Architecture, Construction and Engineering/Infrastructure Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Brazil, April 12-16, 1999. This Matchmaker will target all sectors of the architecture, construction, and engineering/infrastructure industry and will focus on helping industry expand into this growing South American market. Sam Dhir, Project Officer, will lead the delegation. Mission Statement 

U.S. Corporate Executive Office at International Dental Show, Cologne, Germany, April 13-17, 1999 

CS Dusseldorf is organizing a U.S. Corporate Executive Office (CEO) at the International Dental Show (IDS) ’99. The event will be held April 14-17, 1999 in Cologne, Germany. IDS is the dental equipment, products and services trade show in Europe and is organized by the German Dental Association, Verband der Deutschen Dental Industrie, in cooperation with the Cologne Trade Show Authorities. The organizers of IDS are very interested in the presence of international exhibitors and support CS Dusseldorf’s efforts to organize an additional U.S. presence under the CEO program, which is called "USA Kontaktbörse" in the German language. American manufacturers of dental equipment, products and services will get the opportunity to view the show and meet with potential agents and distributors at this large international trade show. For a participation fee of $2,000, American dental firms participating in the CEO program will receive a full office area on the show floor with meeting space, and a bilingual assistant, all at a fraction of the regular cost of full exhibition. t is important to note that the CEO is not designed to permit participants to exhibit.  The CEO program is open to all U.S. dental firms whose products/services are at least 51% U.S. made. Mission Statement 

Used Equipment Trade Mission to Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala - Basic Industries, Machinery Division, April 18-28, 1999 

The Industrial Machinery Division in the Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery, Basic Industries, will organize the Used Equipment Trade Mission to Panama, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The mission will include one Commerce Department employee and representatives from a variety of used and refurbished equipment companies interested in establishing a market presence in these countries. Mission Statement 

Safety and Security Equipment and Services Sectors Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, April 14-20, 1999 

The Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program will lead a Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, April 14-20, 1999. The Matchmaker will target the safety and security equipment and services sectors, including systems, consulting and other related sectors. The focus of the delegation will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, end-users, and joint venture partners in these markets. The delegation will be led by Gordon Keller, Project Manager, Matchmaker Program. Mission Statement 

International Tourism Infrastructure Conference (ITIC 99) in Thessalonika, Greece, April 28-29, 1999 

As part of the Showcase Europe Travel and Tourism Sector Program, CS/Athens is organizing the first International Tourism Infrastructure Conference (ITIC '99). The conference will take place in Thessaloniki, Greece, April 28-29, 1999. The goal of this conference is to introduce and network U.S. companies and their related industry association partners with business and government decision makers from all interested European countries. This conference will enable all participants to identify and hear first hand the business opportunities associated with the development, construction and operation of tourism infrastructure projects in the region. 

At present, the following twenty-seven countries from Europe and the Caspian and Mediterranean region have agreed to participate in the conference: Armenia, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, FYR of Macedonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Moldova, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the U.S. Mission to the European Union for outreach to the participating U.S. companies. Mission Statement 

U.S. Corporate Executive Office at Interpack, Dusseldorf, Germany, May 6-12, 1999 

CS Dusseldorf is organizing a Corporate Executive Office (CEO) at Interpack ’99 from May 6-8, 1999 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Interpack is the largest trade fair for packaging machinery, packaging, and confectionery packaging machinery in Europe and is organized by the Dusseldorf Trade Show Authorities and their U.S. representation. The previous Interpack held in 1996 registered over 2,341 exhibitors and 187,000 visitors. The organizers of Interpack are very interested in the presence of international exhibitors and support CS Dusseldorf’s efforts to organize an additional U.S. presence under the CEO program. 

American manufacturers of packaging equipment products and services have the opportunity to participate in the CEO program, and thereby become familiar with the show, be counseled by Commercial Service personnel, and meet with potential agents and distributors at this important international trade show. For a participation fee of $1,800.00, participants will receive a complete office environment in the fair’s conference facility with meeting space, fax, telephone, e-mail capabilities and a bilingual assistant, all at a fraction of the cost for full exhibition. It is important to note that the CEO is not designed to permit participants to exhibit. The CEO program is open to all U.S. packaging firms whose products/services are at least 51% U.S. made and who otherwise satisfy the product classification requirements for exhibition at Interpack. Participation fees cover the cost of the program, exhibitor passes for a maximum of two company representatives for the duration of the show, and one show catalog per company. Mission Statement 

TASBI Information Technologies, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, May 18-25, 1999 

The Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program will lead a Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Belgium, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, May 18-25, 1999. The Matchmaker will target the telecommunications and information technologies sectors, including the computer hardware and software manufacturing, consulting and services sectors. The focus of the delegation will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, end users, and joint venture partners in these markets. The delegation will be led by Gordon Keller, Project Manager, Matchmaker Program. Mission Statement 

SuperComm/HighTech Reverse Trade Mission (RTM) - Saudi Arabia to Atlanta, Georgia and San Francisco Area EAC's, June 6-15, 1999 

CS Saudi Arabia will organize and lead a delegation of senior managers from prominent Saudi firms first to SuperComm in Atlanta (an approved FY99 International Buyer Program event), and then to the San Francisco Bay Area to meet with clients of EAC's in San Francisco, Santa Clara, San Jose, Oakland and Novato. 

The objective of the RTM will be to match U.S. firms with participating Saudi companies which can act as qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, end users, and joint venture partners primarily in the fields of voice, data, and video communications and networks. The introduction of the Internet into Saudi Arabia in early 1999, and the substantial on-going expansion of Saudi Arabia's land-line, cellular, and satellite telephone systems, are expected to present especially good opportunities for U.S. exporters in these fields. The delegation will be led by long-time San Francisco Bay Area resident Richard Lyster, now Principal Commercial Officer in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Mission Statement 

U.S. Biotechnology Mission to Hamburg and Berlin/Brandenburg, Germany, June 7-11, 1999 

US&FCS Hamburg will recruit and organize a U.S. biotechnology delegation for a mission which will meet with selected German biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and venture capital organizations. On June 7, 1999, the first day of the mission, U.S. and German companies will attend a Biotechnology conference, which will serve as a forum for networking between U.S. and German companies. From June 8-11, the mission will offer participants one-on-one meetings with German companies in Hamburg and Berlin/Brandenburg. These regions are two of Germany’s five main biotechnology centers. 

U.S. manufacturers, researchers, or service providers in the biotechnology field are eligible to participate in the five-day mission for a $900 fee, provided their products are at least 51% US made (see Criteria for Participation below). German companies, who are prospective customers of the U.S. biotechnology industry, are eligible to participate in the biotechnology conference on June 7, 1999 for a fee of $220. The cost of the mission is completely paid by participation fees. Mission Statement 

Franchising Trade Mission to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, June 9-17, 1999 

The Office of Service Industries, in cooperation with the International Franchise Association, will lead a business development mission to Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to promote the U.S. franchise industry and will focus on finding master franchisees and investors in these markets. 

According to the Department of Commerce's Commercial Service officials in Argentina, Brazil, and Chile, franchising represents "Best Prospects" for U.S. firms seeking business opportunities in these countries. The visit is scheduled for June 1999 with a full program of activities in Sao Paulo, Brazil, June 9-12; Buenos Aires, Argentina, June 13-15; and Santiago, Chile, June 16-17. 

The mission will include Commerce Department staff from the Office of Service Industries and U.S. corporate executives from the franchising industry interested in doing business in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. The U.S. Commercial Service will organize the mission in each country with the support of host country ministries. Mission Statement 

MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES MATCHMAKER Monterrey, Guadalagara & Mexico City, MEXICO, June 13-18, 1999 

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program, in cooperation with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), is organizing a Manufacturing Technologies Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Mexico, June 13-18, 1999. This event will be promoted to major U.S. manufacturing sub-sectors, including automotive parts and supplies, building products; computers and peripherals; pollution control equipment; food processing and packaging equipment; and general industrial equipment; and will focus on developing the Mexican market. Derek Parks, Project Officer for the Matchmaker Program, will lead the delegation. Mission Statement 

Healthcare Technologies Matchmaker Delegation Warsaw, Poland and Budapest, Hungary, June 14-18, 1999 

Export Promotion Services’ Matchmaker Trade Delegation Program is organizing a Healthcare Technologies Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Poland and Hungary, June 14-18, 1999. This Matchmaker will target all sectors of the healthcare technologies field including medical equipment and instruments, and healthcare services and will focus on helping industry expand into these growing European markets. Yvonne Jackson, Project Officer, will lead the delegation. Mission Statement 

CEO Program at the Paris Air Show, June 13-20, 1999 

The Department of Commerce is organizing the Corporate Executive Office (CEO) program at the Paris Air Show ‘99. The Paris Air Show is the world’s largest and most prestigious aerospace show in the world. In 1997, it attracted 1,860 exhibitors from 46 countries, 230 fixed and rotary winged aircraft, and over 122,000 trade visitors from Europe, Asia/Pacific, the Middle East, and North and South America. Mission Statement 

REPCAN '99 in Toronto, Canada, June 15-16, 1999 

The U.S. Commercial Service in Canada will host REPCAN '99, a multi-sector trade mission and solo exhibition, at the Toronto Congress Centre on June 15-16, 1999. This event is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized, export-ready, enterprises (SMEs) in all business sectors with an efficient, cost-effective, opportunity to enter the Canadian market and establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, end-users and joint venture partners. REPCAN '99 also provides SMEs with an ideal opportunity to become familiar with business opportunities in Canada, our number one export market in the world; and gain practical international business experience in a business environment which offers the potential for high returns and minimal risk when working with the U.S. Commercial Service. Mission Statement 

Athens 2004: Olympics Opportunity Forum, Athens, Greece, June 22, 1999 

U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) Athens, in cooperation with the American-Hellenic Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Greece Business Council, is organizing an Olympics Opportunity on June 22 in Athens, Greece. This is a unique event which will focus on business opportunities related to the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, with a special focus on four key areas: construction and engineering; security; information technologies and concessions. The Forum will also coincide with the visit to Greece of U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Ambassador David Aaron. US&FCS Athens believes that the coupling of the Olympics Opportunity Forum with Ambassador Aaron’s visit will enhance our efforts to showcase the outstanding experience and ability of U.S. firms. Mission Statement 

Telecommunications Matchmaker to Mexico, August 9-13, 1999 

Export Promotion Services' Matchmaker Program, in cooperation with the Office of Telecommunications and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), will lead a Matchmaker Trade Delegation to Mexico. The Matchmaker will target telecommunication equipment and services. The focus of the delegation will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, and joint venture partners in the Mexican telecommunications market. This Matchmaker will be led by Gordon Keller, Project Manager, Matchmaker Program. Mission Statement 

Coal Trade Mission to Mexico, September 28 - October 2, 1999 

This mission is being organized at the request of U.S. coal exporters and the National Mining Association. In a meeting with the Director of the Department of Commerce's Energy Division at the Western Hemisphere Energy Ministers Conference in July, 1999, Mexico's Secretary of Energy, Dr. Luis Tellez, agreed to accept a Department of Commerce led delegation representing the U.S. coal exporting industry. From September 28 - October 2, 1999, the Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Basic Industries will lead this coal trade mission to the Los Angeles Export Terminal, Los Angeles, CA; Comision Federal de Electricidad in Mexico City, Mexico; and the Petacalco Power Plant in Lazaro Cardenas, Mexico. The mission will include representatives from U.S. coal companies interested in entering or expanding their presence in the Mexican steam coal import market. Mission Statement 

Corporate Executive Office at EXPOPHARM '99 in Leipzig, Germany, September 30 - October 3, 1999 

US&FCS Düsseldorf will recruit and organize a Corporate Executive Office delegation to Expopharm’99 from September 30- October 3, 1999 in Leipzig, Germany. Expopharm is the largest pharmaceutical, over-the-counter (OTC) product and health supplement trade show in Europe. Expopharm is organized by the German Pharmaceutical Association, "Werbe- und Vertriebsgesellschaft Deutscher Apotheker mbH." The organizers of Expopharm are very interested in the presence of international exhibitors, and they support US&FCS Dusseldorf’s efforts to organize a USA pavilion under the CEO program, in German called "USA Kontaktbörse." American manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, OTC products and health supplements will get a chance to present their products on the exhibition floor of this large international trade show. For a participation fee of $2,200, all American manufacturers who participate in the CEO program will receive a limited exhibition area, their own meeting space and a bilingual assistant, all at a fraction of the regular exhibition cost . The CEO program is open to all pharmaceutical manufacturers whose products are at least 51% U.S.-made. Mission Statement 

SECRETARY DALEY'S Business Development Missions to the Middle East, October, 1999 

Secretary of Commerce William M. Daley will lead two trade missions to the Middle East in October, 1999. He will lead a business development mission to Egypt, Israel, Gaza/West Bank, and Jordan October 9-15, 1999 and a business development mission to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) October 15-18, 1999. 

In Jordan, Israel, Gaza/West Bank, and Egypt, the focus of the mission will be on commercial opportunities presented by the liberalization of these countries' economies and the privatization of key industry sectors. The delegation will include 10-15 U.S. company executives of large, medium and small firms representing the following key sectors: information technology, including computer hardware, software development, and telecommunications; environmental technologies, including waste water treatment and water development; agribusiness, including food processing and fertilizers; tourism, including hotel construction and management, resort development and entertainment; insurance and banking; medical services and equipment; and franchising. 

This mission will reaffirm the U.S. Government's support for the commercial aspects of the peace process, a top foreign and commercial priority. 

In Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E., the focus of the mission will also be on commercial opportunities presented by the liberalization of these countries' economies and the privatization of key industry sectors. The delegation will include 10-15 U.S. company executives of large, medium and small firms representing the following key sectors of: energy, including power generation, and oil and gas exploration and development; information technology, including computer hardware, software development, and telecommunications; environmental technologies, including waste water treatment and water development; agribusiness, including food processing and fertilizers; and medical services and equipment. 

Misson Statement and Related Information 

Textiles Trade Mission to Mexico, October 24-29, 1999 

The Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) will sponsor a textile trade mission to Mexico on October 24-29, 1999. The mission will include a Commerce staff member from OTEXA, and representatives from U.S. apparel fabric companies interested in selling their products in Mexico or establishing representation agreements. 

Companies selling apparel fabrics made from natural fibers and cotton blends of fibers and yarns in the better price and quality ranges are likely to have the best chance of success. The mission is planned to consist primarily of apparel fabrics manufacturers and suppliers. However, should local market conditions or recruitment needs dictate, OTEXA may modify the mission to include other suppliers. Mission Statement 

Manufacturing Matchmaker to UK and Ireland (Belfast, Birminigham and Dublin, October 25-29, 1999 

Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program, in cooperation with the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), is organizing a Manufacturing Technologies Matchmaker Trade Delegation to the U.K. (Belfast and Birmingham) and Ireland (Dublin), October 25-29, 1999. This event will be promoted to major U.S. manufacturing sub-sectors, including, building products; telecommunications equipment; computers and peripherals; pollution control equipment; process control and instrumentation equipment; food processing and packaging equipment; medical research and test equipment, general industrial equipment; and hotel and restaurant equipment. The event will focus on matching participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, end users, and joint venture partners in these markets. Mission Statement 

U.S. Franchising Matchmaker Trade Delegation to the Hague, Netherlands, Munich, Germany, Milan, Italy, and Paris, France, November 1-10, 1999 

Export Promotion Services’ Matchmaker Program, in cooperation with the International Franchising Association is organizing a Franchising Trade Delegation to The Hague, Munich, Milan, and Paris, November 1-10, 1999. This event will be promoted to the U.S. franchising industry and will focus on finding master franchises and area developers in these markets. 

The mission goal is to help the new-to-market U.S. franchisers explore the potential for franchising in these countries and meet with qualified investors/entrepreneurs interested in entering into a master franchise or area developer agreement for a specified region. 

Members of the franchising delegation will spend two days at each stop. In Milan, participant's appointments will be held at the Milan Franchise Show. This is the second largest franchise trade show in Europe. The Commercial Service in each country will provide an extensive market briefing and arrange one-on-one appointments with prescreened investors/entrepreneurs interested in franchising. Mission Statement 

Conference on Southeast Europe: Commercial Opportunities and Partnerships, Sofia, Bulgaria, November 1-2, 1999 

As a result of President Clinton’s request that the Commerce Department organize a major commercial development event in Southeast Europe this fall, ITA will sponsor a conference entitled "Southeast Europe: Commercial Opportunities and Partnerships" in Sofia, Bulgaria on November 1-2, 1999. The conference will highlight reconstruction and business opportunities for American companies in the six "front line states" bordering Yugoslavia (Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, and Macedonia), and Kosovo and Montenegro. It will introduce U.S. companies, particularly those with operations in Western Europe and those already doing business in Central/Eastern Europe, to the challenges and opportunities for doing business in Southeast Europe. 

The conference will also feature a policy roundtable, chaired by Secretary Daley, with leaders from the frontline states, to discuss impediments to trade and investment in the region. 

The Secretary will also open the conference, deliver a luncheon keynote address, and hold bilateral meetings with his government counterparts from the region. The heads of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), and the Export-Import Bank of the United States will accompany Secretary Daley. Mission Statement 

Assiatant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the Commercial Service Awilda Marquez will lead a senior-level business development mission focusing on women-owned and women-managed businesses to the MERCOSUR countries of Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, November 8-13, 1999 

This Business Development Mission is being organized to precede the 1999 Women's Economic Summit of the Americas, which is being held in Buenos Aires, Argentina from November 11-13, 1999. While the trade mission and summit focus on women-owned and/or managed companies, participation is not limited to such businesses and all interested U.S. companies are encouraged to apply. The mission will visit Santiago, Chile, Montevideo, Uruguay, and Buenos Aires, Argentina. The overall focus of the trip will be commercial opportunities for U.S. companies, including joint ventures, presented by the continuing market liberalization and privatizations within MERCOSUR. In each country briefings and matchmaking business appointments will be made for members of the business delegation. In Buenos Aires, the delegation will attend the 1999 Women's Economic Summit of the Americas (November 11 - 13). The delegation will be able to participate in all sessions being offered in the conference. A participation fee for the trade mission will be between $3,000 - $4,000 per company. Mission Statement 

Corporate Executive Office at MEDICA - Dusseldorf, Germany, November 17-20, 1999 

The US & Foreign Commercial Service (US&FCS) Düsseldorf, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) Export Assistance Center regional team coordinators, is organizing the major annual Corporate Executive Office (CEO) at Medica ‘99, the world’s largest and most prestigious medical equipment and diagnostics show in the world, with over 2,000 exhibitors and over 100,000 visitors from 63 countries. Medica attracts thousands of visitors from Central and Eastern Europe and from Asia. This Medica CEO is the Tier One event in Europe for the strategic medical sector under the Showcase Europe program. As the only effective alternative to exhibiting or simply visiting Medica for US exporters, the CEO program targets new-to-market US companies, which have not previously exhibited at Medica. The CEO program affords lower cost access to Medica allowing small and medium-sized businesses to participate in the world’s largest medical exposition where they would not have otherwise the opportunity to participate because of price and cost. The Medica CEO is intended as an alternative to exhibiting. We envision that current CEO participants will exhibit in the USA Pavilion or in the industry-specific location on the exhibition floor in the future. Participation is not intended for multiple-year participants in past Medica CEOs. This CEO consists of a package of services including: pre-show counseling; access to buyer delegations organized by medical specialists throughout US&FCS posts in Europe; presence and base of operations on show premises with shared office suite, equipment and services; market research and formal briefing in-country by the US&FCS medical sector specialist; exposure through entry into show catalogue and electronic search system; assignment of a multi-lingual personal assistant/escort; scheduling of meetings with potential partners, agents and buyers; and post-show assistance and follow-up with contacts. The CEO operation at Medica will be staffed by US&FCS Düsseldorf personnel and contract assistants and regional USDOC Export Assistance Center coordinators (see mission statement for more information), who may accompany participating companies from their respective areas. Mission Statement 

The Energy Trade Mission to the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, December 2-9, 1999 

The Assistant Secretary for Trade Development, Michael Copps, will lead an energy and environmental trade mission to Prague, Budapest and Warsaw, December 2-9, 1999. Focusing on the energy sector, the mission will include representatives from 8-12 U.S. services and equipment firms interested in gaining access to the Eastern and Central European energy and environmental markets. 

The three countries plan to invest at least $ 37 billion in the electric power sector: Poland, $ 30 billion in the next 15 years; Hungary, $5 billion in the next 10-15 years; and the Czech Republic, $2 billion in the next two years. Mission Statement 

International Trade Administration 
U.S. Department of Commerce