Mission Statement
ACE/Infrastructure Matchmaker Delegation
Greece and Turkey
Athens, Greece and Istanbul and Antalya, Turkey
September 18-22, 2000
Mission Description:
Export Promotion Services Matchmaker Program, is organizing an Architecture,
Construction and Engineering/Infrastructure Matchmaker Trade Delegation
to Greece and Turkey, September 18-24, 2000. This Matchmaker will target
sectors of the architecture, construction, and engineering/infrastructure
industry that relate to tourism and will focus on helping industry expand
into these two promising markets. Sam Dhir, Project Officer for the Matchmaker
Program, will lead the delegation.
Commercial Setting:
Greece
The arrival of the Summer Olympic Games in Athens in 2004 provides
an excellent opportunity for Architecture, Construction, and Engineering
(ACE) firms, particularly in the field of tourism infrastructure. The demand
for these sectors is expected to increase in real terms by 10-15 percent
annually over the next three years. Greece will undertake a vast number
of major projects in order to host the Games. At least $230 million will
be spent on projects directly related to the games, including the construction
of eleven new sports facilities, a five-stadium complex, and an Olympic
Village. Billions of dollars are being spent on infrastructure improvements
that are crucial to the successful staging of the Games.
GDP growth in Greece for 1998 reached 3.7 percent and the latest 1999
official estimate is for a 3.2 percent growth. Construction has traditionally
been one of the main growth areas showing strong (10.0 percent) growth
in 1998 thanks to increased private investment activity and to public construction
works. Construction has benefited from higher public investment budgets
and the acceleration of EU-financed major infrastructure projects.
Turkey
The Turkish market offers strong growth prospects across the board
for U.S. exporters. Its dynamic private sector, young population of over
64 million consumers, regional connections--including a customs union with
the European Union--and massive infrastructure requirements are fueling
Turkey's continued growth. Turkey has enjoyed the highest average annual
growth rates of any Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) country with GNP reaching USD 196 billion in 1997, an increase of
8.0 percent over 1996.
The demand for ACE services in Turkey will continue to offer long term
opportunities for U.S. firms for many years. Despite over a decade of development
in the tourism sector, more upgrading and expansion is necessary. Turkey
in general, and Istanbul in particular, are losing significant convention
business to other European and Asian destinations, due to shortages of
appropriate facilities and first-class rooms in peak seasons. The modernization
and expansion of the country's transportation infrastructure, particularly
airports at points of entry, and the highway system within the country,
remain a top priority of Turkey's government, and are essential to support
tourism.
Mission Goals:
The Matchmaker's goal is to gain first-hand market information and
provide access to key government officials and potential business partners
for new-to-market, new-to -export architecture, construction, and engineering
firms desiring to enter into these promising markets.
Mission Scenario:
The Commercial Service in Greece and Turkey will provide extensive
market briefings and arrange one-on-one appointments with prescreened business
contacts. Receptions will be held at each stop so that members of the delegation
can meet with the key government/industry representatives in an informal
setting
Timetable:
The proposed itinerary for this Matchmaker is the following:
September 18 Athens, Greece
September 19 Athens, Greece
September 20 Istanbul, Turkey
September 21 Istanbul, Turkey
September 22 Antalya, Turkey
Matchmaker promotion will include but not be limited to the following
venues: U.S. Export Assistance Centers and teams; relevant trade publications
and associations; Export America; past Matchmaker participants; and various
in-house and purchased industry lists. The Matchmaker will also be listed
on ITA's internet homepage and in the Federal Register.
Recruitment will begin on or about February 14, 2000, and will close
July 28, 2000. The fee for the event will range between $2,800 - $3,200
per company. The Matchmaker will be open to 15 qualified participants.
Criteria for Participation:
-
Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals;
-
Potential for business in the selected markets;fees;
-
Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services
and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate
matching with potential business partners;
-
Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured
or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of
the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name
of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51% of the value
of the finished good or service.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political
contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
Contact Information:
Sam Dhir, Project Manager
Room 2012
US Department of Commerce
14th and Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20230
T. 202-482-4756
F. 202-482-0178
E-mail: Sam.Dhir@mail.doc.gov
Website: http://www.usatrade.gov/matchmaker