Elements of New Commerce Department Trade Mission Policy
U.S. Department of Commerce News Release from the Office of the Secretary, Washington, D. C., Monday, March 3, 1997
I. Scope of Policy
This policy applies to departmental trade missions. Trade missions are
defined as missions involving travel to foreign countries by private sector
participants and Commerce Department employees in which the
Commerce Department recruits and selects participants from the
business community.
II. Trade Mission Authorization Process
Every proposed mission will be scrutinized to ensure that it is consistent
with our overall export promotion strategy and that it is likely to further
those goals. Under this new policy, preparation of a public mission
statement will be standard practice for all missions. There will be a
rationale articulated at the outset regarding the objectives of the mission,
why certain countries or regions were chosen and why certain kinds of
businesses and/or sectors will be included. This rationale will be
precise, rigorous and consistent in both timing and content. All mission
statements must be approved by senior management, and will be made
accessible to the public.
III. Recruitment and Selection of Private-Sector Participants
The process for recruiting and selecting private-sector participants in
trade missions will be clear, objective and transparent. Companies and
individuals will be recruited and selected for participation in
Commerce-led trade missions on the basis of objective, written criteria
and in accordance with the mission statement.
Participation criteria will be developed and announced in advance of each mission. The criteria will be keyed to the overarching need for a demonstrably legitimate business purpose in the company's or individual's participation, as evidenced by the clear relationship between the company's products, markets and business plan, and the objectives of the mission as set forth in the mission statement. The policy includes an express prohibition on the consideration of referrals from political parties or references to political contributions or political activities.
Additional express guidelines have been included regarding the solicitation and processing of applicants. For all missions, there will be in place a transparent screening procedure that includes more extensive self-certification requirements as well as more transparent processing and record-keeping.
IV. Mission Costs
This policy will adhere to government-wide regulations that generally
require any costs incurred directly by the Department on behalf of trade
mission participants must be recovered in full from the participants.
There is a strong presumption in favor of using commercial aircraft for all
trade missions. This presumption will be overcome only if (1) security
concerns necessitate the use of charter or government aircraft; or (2)
the use of commercial aircraft would result in substantial inconvenience
to participants that would jeopardize the success of the mission. Fiscal
plans and mission budgets will be available to the public.
V. Trade Mission Reports
A post-mission report will be required for all trade missions. This policy
mandates that a post-mission statement be submitted within one month of
the conclusion of the mission. The report will be made public and easily
accessible.
VI. Public Availability of Trade Mission Documents
There are currently no institutional guidelines or requirements for the
availability of documents outside of the FOIA process. This policy will
require that all elements of the trade mission process be transparent and
that documents related to the mission be publicly available.
VII. New Elements In Trade Mission Process
1) Full Transparency of the process
2) Comprehensive written policy
3) Requirement of written statement of mission goals approved by
responsible official and released to the public
4) Requirement of specific written criteria for selection of private
sector participants
5) Express prohibition against consideration of political activities
6) Mandatory broad outreach to potential participants
7) Selection of private sector participants by individual career
employees or a panel with a majority of career employees
8) Strong presumption for use of commercial aircraft
9) Record keeping requirements and automatic public availability of
documents (without FOIA request)