MISSION STATEMENT

To promote and support U.S. defense exports to the Netherlands and Belgium, and to identify potential business clients or partners for U.S. companies, particularly SME’s.

EVENT DESCRIPTION

US&FCS The Hague will recruit and organize a Defense Trade Mission from February 1-3, 2000. The trade mission will consist of a two-day program in The Hague, The Netherlands and a one-day program in Brussels, Belgium.

COMMERCIAL SETTING

The Dutch and Belgian defense markets provide good opportunities for U.S. companies. In a European market where defense budgets are being cut, for instance, the defense budget in Belgium is expected to increase by the end of 1999. Although the defense budget is declining in The Netherlands, the market is very receptive to U.S. defense commodities. In 1998, for example, the U.S. won over 34 percent of the Dutch defense contracts awarded to foreign organizations. The acquisition and replacement of a large number of material is expected to drive up industry activity and government procurement in both countries over the next five to ten years.

MISSION GOALS

The mission’s goals are:

• To promote and support U.S. defense exports to the Netherlands and Belgium

• To increase U.S. company awareness of upcoming projects

• To identify potential business clients or partners for U.S. companies, particularly SME’s

Trade mission participants will spend February 1-2 in The Hague and February 3 in Brussels. At both locations, the program will commence with high-level industry and government speakers. Speakers from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Dutch and Belgian Ministries of Defense, NATO and local defense associations are expected to participate and speak about the local defense market structure and business opportunities. The remainder of the days will consist of one-on-one appointments pre-scheduled for U.S. participants with prospective business clients or partners. A number of representational events are also incorporated into the trade mission.

TIMETABLE

Trade mission participants will arrive in The Hague, The Netherlands on Monday, January 31, 2000. Trade mission participation will end on Thursday, February 3 at 18:30 in Brussels, Belgium.

US&FCS The Hague has principal recruitment responsibility. The aim is to recruit at least 12 companies, but no more than 18. Recruitment will be done from The Netherlands with the support of domestic Team members. US&FCS The Hague and the designated domestic Team members will work closely together to ensure optimal U.S. defense industry exposure of the event. Furthermore, the Office of Aerospace has also offered to support the event by disseminating promotional literature on the event to their clients - via mail and winfax. They will also include a write-up in their office newsletter that goes out to the industry. US&FCS Promotion will be done via paper and electronic mailings from internal mailing lists, telephone recruitment, publication in the Federal Register, and ITA’s home page. Recruitment will commence immediately and will close on December 1, 1999, two months prior to the start of the event.

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION

• Timely submission of the $2000 participation fee, application, participation agreement, and certifications

• U.S. companies across the defense industry spectrum are encouraged to participate in the trade mission. Potential U.S. participants will be screened to ensure market feasibility for their products in The Netherlands and Belgium

• Certification that the company meets Departmental guidelines for participation

• Timely and adequate provision of company and product/service information and literature in order to enable communication of company’s objectives and scheduling appointments

• 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

CONTACT INFORMATION

US&FCS The Hague: J. Laurence Eisenberg, Counselor for Commercial Affairs
Natasha C. Keylard, Commercial Specialist
American Embassy/US&FCS
Lange Voorhout 102
2514 EJ The Hague
The Netherlands
Ph: 011-31-70-3109417
Fx: 011-31-70-3632985

US&FCS Brussels: George Knowles, Counselor for Commercial Affairs
Alain Cauwe, Commercial Specialist
American Embassy/US&FCS
27, Bd. Du Regent
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Ph: 011-32-2-5052425
Fx: 011-32-2-512-6653/3644

Aerospace & Defense Team: Eric Nielsen, Aerospace & Defense Technologies Team Leader
Tucson Export Assistance Center
P.O. Box 27210
Tucson, Arizona 85726
Ph: 520-670-5540
Fx: 520-791-5413

TD/Office of Aerospace: Eric McDonald
HCHB 2128
14^th St. & Constitution Ave.
Washington, DC 20230
Ph: 202-482-1237
Fx: 202-482-3383