Mission Statement

AEROSPACE and DEFENSE TRADE MISSION
Amsterdam, The Netherlands & Brussels, Belgium
November 13-16, 2006

Mission Description:

The U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), U.S. Commercial Service offices in The Netherlands and Belgium, together with the ITA Aerospace and Defense Team, are organizing an Aerospace Trade Mission from November 13-16, 2006. This trade mission offers a cost-effective and timely opportunity for U.S. firms interested in doing business in the region. The trade mission will consist of two-day programs in Amsterdam and Brussels, and offers participants the opportunity to gain first-hand market exposure, access to decision makers, project briefings, one-on-one meetings with relevant contacts and market briefings.

Commercial Setting:

The Dutch and Belgian defense markets provide excellent commercial environments for U.S. companies. The two defense markets together are valued at $10.9 billion -- $3.2 billion for Belgium and $7.7 billion for Netherlands. Throughout Europe, defense budgets are being cut, but the Belgian defense budget is expected to remain stable in the short-run. The Belgian Army spent the last five years modernizing its forces and transforming them from an obsolescent army of cold war vintage to a technologically advanced army capable of participating in coalition peacekeeping, peacemaking or combat operations. This transformation is expected to create new opportunities for U.S. suppliers of defense equipment and services.

In The Netherlands, the market is highly receptive to U.S. defense equipment. The Netherlands is the United States’ eighth largest export market and the U.S. has its largest bilateral trade surplus with The Netherlands. U.S. defense equipment is recognized as state-of-the-art, and approximately one-fifth of Dutch defense contracts are awarded to U.S. companies.

The acquisition, replacement and modification of a large quantity of material is expected to stimulate industry activity and government procurements in both countries over the next five years. Technological partnerships offer prospects as the vast majority of future military investments are going to be in new technologies. Defense market reports detailing the Dutch and Belgian market opportunities are available for review at www.export.gov.

Mission Goals:

The goal of the mission is to act as a catalyst to stimulate business in host nations and the rest of Europe for mission members. Its main objective is to promote and support U.S. defense exports to The Netherlands and Belgium. This will be achieved by increasing U.S. company awareness of upcoming foreign opportunities through a number of short market briefings. The mission’s goals will also be realized by identifying potential business clients or partners for U.S. companies, particularly SMEs. Strategic alliances with host nation partners may also be a means of opening a business channel to other parts of Europe. Both foreign industry and governments will be targeted for these purposes.

The trade mission will also consider accommodating U.S. companies that are considering a production or distribution facility in Europe. Such a company must be considering one of the host nations as a viable candidate and may want to view any of them as gateway to the rest of Europe. In addition, the trade mission will accommodate U.S. companies with offset obligations in any of the host countries.

Mission Scenario:

Trade mission participants will spend November 13-14 in Amsterdam and November 15-16 in Brussels. At both locations, the program will commence with a morning briefing that covers the local defense market structure and business opportunities. The remainder of the days will consist of one-on-one appointments, scheduled prior to the mission, between mission participants and prospective business clients or partners. The day will close with a reception at a special location to stimulate networking activities in an informal setting.

The precise schedule will depend on the availability of local government and business officials and the specific goals of the mission participants.

Mission Timetable:

Tentative Program

Sunday, November 12, 2006:

Monday, November 13, 2006:

Tuesday, November 14, 2006:

Wednesday, November 15, 2006:

Thursday, November 16, 2006:

Criteria for Participation and Selection:

• U.S. companies active in the civil and military sectors of the aerospace industry 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. In the absence of sufficient market interest, companies will be advised against participation.

• Timely payment of $2,600 participation fee (eight weeks in advance).

• Timely provision of product literature, company objectives and company profile (eight weeks in advance)

• Assurance that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States. 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 50% of the value of the finished good or service

Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

The target number of U.S. participant companies is 15, with a minimum of 10. Recruitment will commence immediately and will close on September 18, 2006, eight weeks prior to the start of the event.

Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, postings on websites, press releases, direct mail, email, notices by industry associations and other multiplier groups, and information presented at meetings, conferences and trade shows.

Contact Information:

U.S. Commercial Service:
August Maffry, Counselor for Commercial Affairs
The Hague Natasha Keylard, Commercial Specialist
The Netherlands American Embassy / U.S. Commercial Service
Lange Voorhout 102
2514 EJ The Hague
Ph: 011-31-70-3102417 Fax: 011-31-70-3632985
E-mail: August.Maffry@mail.doc.gov
E-mail: Natasha.Keylard@mail.doc.gov

U.S. Commercial Service:
Camille Sailer, Counselor for Commercial Affairs
Brussels Stein Cleemput , Commercial Specialist
Belgium American Embassy / U.S. Commercial Service
27, Bd. du Regent
1000 Brussels
Belgium
Ph: 011-32-2-5082496 Fax: 011-32-2-512-6653/3644
E-mail: Camille.Sailer@mail.doc.gov
Email: Stein.Cleemput@mail.doc.gov

Aerospace & Defense Team:
Diane Mooney
Senior International Trade Specialist
Aerospace & Defense Technologies Team
Seattle U.S. Export Assistance Center
Ph: 206-553-5615,ext. 236 Fax: 206-553-7253
E-mail: Diane.Mooney@mail.doc.gov

Danielle Dooley,
International Trade Specialist
Aerospace & Defense Technologies Team
Denver U.S. Export Assistance Center
Ph: 303-844-6623 X 14 Fax: 303-844-5651
E-mail: Danielle.Dooley@mail.doc.gov