Hong Kong: June 3-5, 2007
Manila, Philippines: June 6-8, 2007
Singapore: June 9-12, 2007
Mission Description
The Commerce Department’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and its U.S. Commercial Service offices in Asia will host a Green Building Products Trade Mission to Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Philippines, June 3-12, 2007. This mission offers a timely opportunity for U.S. firms to tap into lucrative, fast growing markets for U.S. green building products and services. At each stop, trade mission participants will benefit from country briefings; individual business meetings with prospective agents, distributors, partners, and end-users; site visits; and networking functions with local government officials and private companies, such as: property developers, architects, engineers and building materials companies.
Commercial Setting
Hong Kong: The construction sector in Hong Kong is valued at more than $12 billion. In the last five years, growth in demand has been significant in environmentally friendly products, along with growing public awareness and government support of environmental protection. Commercial developers, increasingly concerned about their environmental image, now seek to attract multinational corporate tenants by offering features designed to save energy, reduce waste and increase productivity. The government provides incentives to encourage developers to adopt green building features and construction methods to reduce waste. For example, one incentive exempts green features from the calculation of a property’s gross floor area, allowing developers extra space to boost the property’s market value. Balconies and sky gardens, uncommon in projects completed before 2001, are now standard features of many new homes. Other examples of environmentally friendly products include variable speed pumps, heat recovery HVAC systems, service-on-demand features, advanced window glazing, and motion sensors. Metal formworks have also extensively replaced timber. More pre-fabricated elements are used to allow cleaner construction sites. Use of photovoltaic panels has also increased, particularly in government buildings, though not on a large scale. The market for green building products in Hong Kong is far from maturity and is therefore full of potential.
Philippines: Prospects for the Philippine real estate/construction sector are bullish, with at least 5.2% growth projected in 2007. The sector’s expansion will be largely fuelled by lower interest rates; increasing demand for residential real estate properties for investment or retirement by Filipinos working abroad and Filipino residents of foreign countries; booming call centers/business processing outsourcing industry that creates exponential demand for office space; growing shopping mall development; and strong public sector infrastructure spending. While the green building concept is still in its infancy in the Philippines, many architects, interior designers and educators are actively discussing green elements. Some private organizations have come together to promote green building, and a Philippine Green Building Council is being formed, with some guidance from the World Building Council. The Filipinos abroad and foreign investors who have expressed interest in Philippine real estate properties are accustomed to international quality and standards as well as green features and seek the same in Philippine properties. This will further drive the market for green building products upwards. A few projects have showcased efforts to improve energy efficiency, promote conservation, reduce waste, and preserve the natural environment, and some Philippine buildings have been cited in ASEAN Energy Awards. Some U.S. green building products are already successfully sold in the Philippine market. Given certainty cost and environmental constraints, such as rising water and electricity rates, underdeveloped solid waste management and inadequate disposal facilities, green and sustainable design has become a necessity. This is an excellent time to introduce environmentally friendly building products to the Philippines, as the market is in its developmental stage and firms can reap tremendous benefits by being an early entrant. Best prospects include products and systems designed to promote water conservation, improve energy efficiency, and harness renewable energy. Generally, products and systems that are green, and can also improve a company’s bottom line, will have good prospects in the Philippines.
Singapore: Singapore’s $7.2 billion construction market is expected to reach an estimated $8.75 billion annually over the next five years. Government spending will be the main push factor sustaining construction demand, with emphasis on infrastructure projects. Singapore’s interest in green building promises to be substantial. To support its Green Mark initiative, Singapore’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) plans to showcase Green Building Technology and environmental sustainability efforts in new high-profile programs. The Marina Bay area is to serve as a model eco-city, with a new reservoir and gardens and most area buildings Green Mark certified. Details on BCA’s Green Mark program can be viewed at http://www.bca.gov.sg/GreenMark/green_mark_buildings.html.
The public housing development agency under the Housing and Development Board (HDB) is developing an eco-precinct as part of Singapore’s efforts to ensure the sustainability of public housing developments. The BCA is also establishing the One North area as a model of green facilities for the industrial sector. BCA’s Green Mark building program is strongly supported by Singapore’s National Environment Agency, and g rowing environmental awareness in the construction sector points to great opportunities for U.S. suppliers of green materials and technology. The BCA specifically recommends the use of r ecyclable materials, as well as products and systems designed to h arness renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, biomass), increase energy efficiency, improve indoor air quality, and reduce noise and air pollution.
Mission Goals
The mission will showcase U.S. products to improve resources and energy efficiency, water conservation, and indoor air quality, which represent the best export opportunities for U.S. companies in these markets. Additionally, the goal is to facilitate market entry or increased sales for U.S. suppliers of building products and services, as well as first-hand market information and access to potential business partners
Mission Scenario and Cost
This trade mission will be hosted by Commercial Service offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Manila. In each city, mission members will benefit from country briefings; customized, pre-arranged appointments with prospective partners, distributors, and end-users; meetings with appropriate host government agencies; and networking events with local officials and company representatives. The focus of the trade mission will be to match participating U.S. companies with qualified agents, distributors, representatives, licensees, and joint venture partners in these markets, which all have a strong affinity for, and trading relationship with, the United States. The mission cost will be $3,600 per company, excluding travel, lodging, and meals.
Timetable
| June 3 | Arrive Hong Kong |
| June 4 | Breakfast/country briefing by representatives of U.S. Consulate and Hong Kong government officials |
| June 5 | One-on-one business appointments (half day) |
| June 6 | Travel to Manila No-host dinner |
| June 7 | Country briefing by U.S. Embassy and industry associations |
| June 8 | One-on-one business appointments (half day) |
| June 9/10 | Travel to Singapore |
| June 11 | Breakfast/country briefing by representatives of U.S. Embassy and Singapore government officials (probably the Building and Construction Authority) |
| June 12 | One-on-one business appointments |
| June 13 | End of Mission/Return to the United States |
Criteria for Participation
Recruitment will begin on or about January 26, 2007, and will close April 30, 2007, approximately five weeks prior to the start of the mission. Participation is open to the first 10 qualified companies. Applications received after the closing date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including posting on the Commerce Department trade mission calendar -- www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html -- and other web sites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows.
Domestic Contact:
Amy Magat
Trade Specialist
International Trade Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service
444 S. Flower St., 34th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Tel: 213-894-3966; Fax: 213-894-1197
E-mail: amy.magat@mail.doc.gov
Overseas Contacts:
Hong Kong:
Elanna Tam
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service
American Consulate General Hong Kong
26 Garden Road, Central
Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2521-5950; Fax: (852) 2845-9800
E-mail: elanna.tam@mail.doc.gov
Website: www.buyusa.gov/hongkong
Singapore:
Ng Haw Cheng
Senior Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Embassy, Singapore
Tel: (65) 6476-9037; Fax: (65) 6476-9080
E-mail: Hawcheng.Ng@mail.doc.gov
Website: www.buyusa.gov/singapore
Philippines:
Bebe Montesines
Commercial Specialist
U.S. Commercial Service
The American Business Center
25/F, Ayala Life-FGU Center
6811 Ayala Ave., Makati City
Tel: (632) 888-6077; Fax: (632) 888-6606
E-mail: Bebe.Montesines@mail.doc.gov
Website: www.buyusa.gov/philippines