[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73595-73596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30684]
[[Page 73595]]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Healthcare Technology, Policy & Trade Mission: Mexico City,
Mexico, May 13-16, 2012
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) is organizing
an executive-led healthcare technology policy and trade mission to
Mexico City, May 13-16, 2012. This mission is intended to focus on a
variety of U.S. suppliers of healthcare information technologies (IT),
medical devices, and other medical technology.
The mission will introduce U.S. company participants to industry
leaders and government officials in Mexico City to learn about various
opportunities in the IT healthcare, medical devices, and other medical
technology industries in Mexico. Participating in an official U.S.
industry delegation, rather than traveling to Mexico independently,
will enhance the companies' ability to gain access to key players and
thought leaders in the healthcare field and obtain important policy
information regarding their respective markets. The mission will
include group meetings with government officials and with private
sector industrial groups and visits to hospitals and other healthcare
institutions. An optional day of Gold Key meetings will be offered for
an additional fee.
Commercial Setting
The Mexico IT healthcare sector is an emerging market as healthcare
institutions have begun identifying, seeking out and implementing
technologies to become more efficient and competitive. Currently, the
most popular IT applications include patient control, electronic
filing, supplies inventory control, pharmacy inventory and services
management, and security systems.
Potential clients for IT in Mexico's healthcare sector are mostly
large public and private hospitals with resources to purchase
sophisticated technologies to automate patient services, administrative
processes and supplies control systems. In the Mexican public sector
there are 1,578 hospitals of which, only 310 have more than 120 beds.
In the private sector, of the 3,140 hospitals, only 80 have over 50
beds. Most of these hospitals offer highly specialized healthcare
services and are located in medium and large Mexican cities. There are
also some medium-sized private hospitals that offer specialty services
and focus on high income, insured patients. These hospitals also
represent potential users of IT healthcare applications.
In addition, Mexico is a good market for medical devices. In 2010,
total imports of medical equipment, instruments and other medical
devices reached $3.5 billion. Of these imports 57%, or $2 billion, were
of U.S. origin. With the clarification and pronouncement of regulations
for medical technologies, Mexico is expected to become an even more
attractive market for U.S. companies.
Best Prospects
Hospitals in Mexico are upgrading facilities and seeking high
technology equipment and medical devices, as well as greater
automation, control and supervision of their operations, medical
supplies, billing and radiology & imaging. In addition, the sector is
open to technological solutions that can provide real time information
through online systems and mobile devices. Systems and products that
are in demand include:
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
Automation hardware and software
Billing and other administrative automation systems
Real-time databases and Web sites with healthcare
information
Imaging data transfer and storaging
Specialty medical instruments
Diagnostic medical equipment
Mission Goals
The short term goals of the Healthcare Technology, Policy and Trade
Mission to Mexico are, (1) to introduce U.S. companies to industry
leaders and government officials in Mexico City to learn about various
opportunities in the IT healthcare, medical devices, and other medical
technology industries; (2) to get a first-hand look at current use of
healthcare technology in Mexico's top hospitals and other healthcare
institutions; (3) create a business networking environment for U.S.
firms to develop business relationships and meet with potential
partners and end-users; (4) Optional day: to introduce U.S. companies
to potential end-users, joint-venture partners and other industry
representatives in Mexico City and its surrounding areas.
Mission Scenario
Upon arrival in Mexico City on May 13, participants will check into
the hotel and participate in a commercial briefing on the Mexican
healthcare sector followed by a cocktail meet-and-greet. On the morning
of May 14, the U.S. delegation will leave together on a full day of
meetings with Mexican government officials and visits to Mexico's top
hospitals and other healthcare institutions. The day will end with an
evening networking reception at the Ambassador's residence or other
location to be confirmed, where delegates will have a chance to meet
key government and industry contacts in the Mexico City area. On May 15
delegates will attend a healthcare technology policy and trade round
table that will include a working lunch and last through the beginning
of the afternoon. The round table will include presentations by key
players in the Mexican healthcare sector and open discussion among all
participants. On May 16, participants may opt for a day of one-on-one
matchmaking appointments with previously screened potential partners,
buyers and end-users at their places of business, escorted by U.S.
Commercial Service staff. If requested, this service will come at an
additional cost not included in the trade mission participation fee.
The following items are included in the price of the trade mission:
Pre-travel webinar briefing, covering Mexican business
practices and security;
Mexican nationwide promotion of trade mission, including
wide circulation of the printed company directory;
Networking reception at Ambassador's residence or other
venue in Mexico City on May 14;
Coffee service and lunch during the technology, policy and
trade round table on May 15;
Group transportation to the reception and all-day visits
held on May 14;
Preferential hotel rates in Mexico City.
Optional Gold Key Service not included in the trade mission
participation fee:
The Gold Key Service provides U.S. firms with pre-screened
appointments to explore the market and establish relationships with
potential overseas agents, distributors, sales representatives and
strategic business partners.
The Commercial Service will schedule a conference call
with the appropriate staff to understand your objectives and
requirements.
[[Page 73596]]
A designated escort/translator will be provided to assist
you during scheduled matchmaking meetings.
Proposed Timetable
The mission program will begin on the evening of Sunday, May 13,
2012, and continue through May 15, with an optional day of matchmaking
appointments on May 16.
May 13................................. Commercial Briefing: Mexican
healthcare market, government
procurement.
Cocktail meet-and-greet.
May 14................................. Full-delegation government
meetings, visits to hospitals
and other healthcare
institutions.
Reception at Ambassador's
residence or other venue to be
confirmed.
May 15................................. Healthcare Technology, Policy
and Trade Mission Round Table
and working lunch.
May 16................................. Optional Gold Key matchmaking
meetings with potential
clients, distributors/
representatives.
Participation Requirements
All parties interested in participating in the Healthcare
Technology, Policy and Trade Mission must complete and submit an
application for consideration by U.S. Department of Commerce. All
applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain
conditions and to satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below.
This mission has a goal of a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20
companies to be selected to participate in the mission from the
applicant pool. U.S. companies already doing business in Mexico as well
as U.S. companies seeking to enter the market for the first time are
encouraged to apply.
Fees and Expenses
After a company has been selected to participate in the mission, a
payment to the U.S. Department of Commerce in the form of a
participation fee is required. The participation fee will be $755 \1\
for small and medium sized firms (SME) and the fee for large firms is
$805. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or
SME) is $300. Expenses for air travel (to Mexico City and return),
lodging, meals and incidentals will be the responsibility of each
mission participant. An additional fee for the optional Gold Key
service is as follows: SME, $885 for 1 day of meetings and $535 for a
second day; large firm, $2,300 for one day of meetings and $1,000 for a
second day. Gold Key clients will also be responsible for
transportation costs to all meetings, which is approximately $230 for a
driver and rental car for 10 hours.
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\1\ An SME is defined as a firm with 500 or fewer employees or
that otherwise qualifies as a small business under SBA regulations
(see http://www.sba.gov/services/contracting_opportunities/sizestandardstopics/index.html). Parent companies, affiliates, and
subsidiaries will be considered when determining business size. The
dual pricing reflects the Commercial Service's user fee schedule
that became effective May 1, 2008
(see http://www.export.gov/newsletter/march2008/initiatives.html for additional information).
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Conditions for Participation
An applicant must submit a completed and signed mission
application and supplemental application materials, including adequate
information on the company's products and/or services, primary market
objectives, and goals for participation. If the U.S. Department of
Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may reject
the application, request additional information, or take the lack of
information into account when evaluating the applications.
Each applicant must also certify that the products and
services it seeks to export through the mission are either produced in
the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm
and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content.
Selection Criteria for Participation
Selection will be based on the following criteria:
Suitability of a company's products or services to the
mission's goals
Applicant's potential for business in Mexico, including
likelihood of exports resulting from the trade mission
Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with
the stated scope of the trade mission (i.e., the sectors indicated in
the mission description)
Referrals from political organizations and any documents containing
references to partisan political activities (including political
contributions) will be removed from an applicant's submission and not
considered during the selection process.
Timeframe for Recruitment and Applications
Mission recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner,
including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Commerce
Department trade mission calendar (http://export.gov/trademissions/eg_main_023185.asp) and other Internet web sites, press releases to
general and trade media, direct mail, industry trade associations and
other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia,
conferences, and trade shows.
Recruitment for the mission will begin immediately and conclude no
later than March 9, 2012. CS Mexico will review all applications
immediately after the deadline. We will inform applicants of selection
decisions as soon as possible after March 9, 2012. Applications
received after that date will be considered only if space and
scheduling constraints permit.
Contacts
Mr. Everett Wakai, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2603,
[email protected].
Ms. Alicia Herrera, Commercial Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2629,
[email protected].
Ms. Teresa Verthein, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service
Mexico--Mexico City, Tel: (011-52-55) 5140-2652,
[email protected].
Mr. Gerry Zapiain, International Trade Specialist, International
Trade Administration--Washington, DC, Tel: (202) 482-2410,
[email protected].
Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2011-30684 Filed 11-28-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P