[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 54 (Thursday, March 20, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15569-15571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06111]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Virtual Trade Mission to Canada's North, October 6-8, 2014
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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Mission Description
The United States Department of Commerce, in partnership with the
Minority Business Development Agency is organizing two-prong virtual
and traditional trade mission to Canada that will include the
Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Trade Show 2014 in the Northern
Canadian Region. The Virtual Trade Mission (VTM) will include country
and market/sector briefings and one-on-one virtual business
appointments with pre-screened potential buyers, agents, distributors
and joint-venture partners from throughout Canada, including those not
attending the Conference and Trade Show.
Traditional trade mission members physically in Canada will
participate in the Aboriginal Entrepreneurs Conference and Trade Show
2014 (that is also open to U.S. companies not participating in the
traditional trade mission). Similar to the VTM, this will include one-
on-one business appointments with pre-screened potential buyers,
agents, distributors and joint-venture partners, and networking event.
Trade mission participants electing to participate in Aboriginal
Entrepreneurs Conference and Trade Show 2014 may attend regional and
industry-specific sessions and consultations. The cost of participating
in the Conference and Trade Show is not included in the USCS package
cost.
This mission is open to U.S. companies and trade associations from
a cross section of industries with potential to provided needed and
appropriate services in the more remote regions of Canada. These
sectors include: Energy (both new and renewable), environmental
technologies and services, remote healthcare related technology and
services, distance education, and infrastructure (including
architecture/engineering, master planning, and construction
management).
The benefits of a Virtual Trade Mission (VTM):
High-value virtual web meeting between American sellers
and Canadian buyers in real time;
Virtual delegates do not have to leave their own home or
office to benefit from the VTM; reducing the cost of travel and time
required by our traditional trade mission;
VTMs have the capability to utilize technology above and
beyond a simple audio; conference call. By adding web cameras and
visual content in the form of presentations; you engage participants in
an active setting and worthwhile experience;
One-on-one private virtual meeting (break-out sessions) to
allow for more individualized and catered discussions between potential
prospects; and
I. Commercial Setting
Canada
The U.S. and Canada enjoy the world's largest and most
comprehensive trading relationship, which supports millions of jobs in
each country. Since the implementation of the North American Free Trade
Agreement in 1994, trade between the United States and Canada has more
than doubled.
In 2012, U.S.-Canada two-way trade in goods and services totaled
more than $715 billion; over $1.9 billion in goods and services daily.
Also in 2012, U.S. and Canadian bilateral investment stock totaled $612
billion. In addition, U.S. exports to Canada surpassed $355 billion--
that's 16 percent of total U.S. exports. Canada is the number one
export market for 38 U.S. states.
Remote Territories
Northern Canada is comprised of three territories; Northwest
Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon. For hundreds of years, these
territories, for the most part, have been left undeveloped. However,
within the last 5 years, Northern Canada has started to boom with the
rest of the country.
On January 8, 2014, Prime Minster Stephen Harper broke ground on
the construction of a highway that will provide the first year-round
land link between the Arctic Ocean coast and the rest of Canada. This
is a long-promised plank in Mr. Harper's northern strategy to assert
Canadian sovereignty in the Arctic. This road is not only symbolic of
Canada's claims to the north, but is the beginning of expanding
economic activity that is set to take place across Canada's north.
In fact, billions of dollars' worth of projects are already in the
pre-planning, planning and implementation phases, covering a full
gambit of business sectors, including; mining (iron ore, uranium,
`heavy' rare earth elements, diamonds, etc.), infrastructure (roads,
ports, airports, buildings), water and sewer, and energy. This booming
area of Canada is ripe with opportunities for U.S. companies.
Best market prospects for U.S. companies in Canada's North include:
Energy (both new and renewable), environmental technologies and
services, remote healthcare related technology and services, and
infrastructure (including architecture/engineering, master planning,
and construction management).
Procurement Process in Aboriginal Communities
Canada remains among the most accessible markets in the world.
Nevertheless, doing business in Canada is not the same as doing
business in the United States. Canadian customs documentation,
bilingual labeling, packaging requirements, International Traffic in
Arms Regulations (ITAR), and Canadian federal and provincial sales tax
accounting can be surprisingly challenging. In the North, there are
other things to consider, including aboriginal set-asides for public
sector projects as well as preference for doing business with local
businesses with private sector. U.S. companies can do well in this
market providing they are aware of these circumstances.
For all public sector projects, procurement for Aboriginal
communities takes place at the federal level, with individual companies
bidding on available contracts through Public Works and Government
Services Canada. The federal government has established programs to
promote Aboriginal economic development and a Procurement Strategy for
Aboriginal Business (PSAB). Through this program:
In 2009, more than 5000 contracts were awarded to
Aboriginal-owned businesses.
The 5,000 contracts amounted to over $450M in government
money
[[Page 15570]]
awarded to private sector Aboriginal businesses.
Procurement from Aboriginal business made up 2% of total
contract despite representing only 4% of the population.
Joint ventures that are majority owned by an Aboriginal business
are also encouraged when bidding for federal contracts.
Private sector businesses do not have to abide by any procurement
regulations. However, due to the importance investing in the local
community, there are preferences to doing business with companies who
put back into the community or partner with other local businesses.
II. Mission Goals
The goal of the Canada Far North virtual and traditional trade
missions is to help participating firms gain market insights, make
industry contacts, solidify business strategies, and advance specific
projects, with the goal of increasing U.S. exports in largely
underrepresented regions in Canada. The delegation will have access to
CS Senior Commercial Officers and Commercial Specialists during the VTM
and the traditional trade mission, and learn about the many business
opportunities and gain first-hand market exposure. U.S. trade mission
participants already doing business in Canada will have opportunities
to further advance business relationships and projects in those
markets.
III. Virtual Trade Mission--Scenario & Timetable
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Monday, October 6, 2014...... --Welcome briefings on programs and
opportunities in the northern regions of
Canada.
--Briefing on energy and environmental
and infrastructure, remote health
markets, or distance education.
--One-on-one Virtual Business Meetings.
--Conclusion of VTM.
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IV. Traditional Trade Mission--Scenario & Timetable
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Monday, October 6, 2014...... --Welcome briefings on programs and
opportunities in the northern regions of
Canada.
--Briefing on energy and environmental
and infrastructure, remote health
markets, or distance education.
--Individual Business Meetings.
--Networking reception for business and
government contacts.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014..... --Visit trade show.
--Conclusion of Traditional Trade
Mission.
--U.S. Delegation return to U.S. on own
itinerary.
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V. Participation Requirements
Virtual Trade Mission
All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below.
The mission is designed for a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 to
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. Companies not able
to the attend our traditional trade mission but are interested in these
specified target markets as U.S. companies seeking to enter these
markets for the first time are encouraged to apply.
Traditional Trade Mission
All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain
conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria as outlined below.
The mission is designed for a minimum of 7 and a maximum of 10 to
participate in the mission from the applicant pool. U.S. companies
already doing business in the target markets as well as U.S. companies
seeking to enter these markets 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 Department of Commerce in the form of a participation
fee is required.
For the virtual trade mission
The participation fee will be $500 for SMEs and $750 for
large companies.
The provisions for each firm's required technology to
participate in the virtual mission (computer, webcam and internet, and
telephone) will be the responsibility of each mission participant.
For traditional trade mission
The participation fee will be $1000 for SMEs and $1400 for
large companies.
Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals
(e.g., local transportation) will be the responsibility of each mission
participant.
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. Applicant should specify in
their application and supplemental materials whether they are applying
for the virtual trade mission or the traditional trade mission. If the
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 U.S., or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have
at least 51% U.S. content of the value of the finished product or
service. In the case of a trade association or trade organization, the
applicant must certify that, for each company to be represented by the
trade association or trade organization, the products and services the
represented company seeks to export are either produced in the United
States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at
least 51% U.S. content.
Selection Criteria for Participation: Suitability of the company's
(or, in the case of a trade association or trade organization,
represented companies') products or services to Canada.
Company's (or, in the case of a trade association or trade
organization, represented companies') potential for business in Canada.
Consistency of the applicant's goals and objectives with
the stated scope of the mission.
[[Page 15571]]
Diversity of company size, sector or subsector, and location may
also be considered during the review process.
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.
VI. 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, and other Internet Web sites, press
releases to the general and trade media, direct mail and broadcast fax,
notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups and
announcements at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade
shows.
Recruitment for both the virtual trade mission and the traditional
trade mission will begin immediately and conclude no later than August
15, 2014. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications and
make selection decisions on a rolling basis beginning April 2014, until
the minimum of 7 and a maximum of 10 to participate are selected for
the traditional trade mission and a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 to
participate are selected for the virtual trade mission. After August
15, 2014, companies will be considered only if space and scheduling
constraints permit.
Contact Information: Tracey Ford, Commercial Specialist, U.S.
Commercial Service Ottawa, Canada, 613-688-5406, [email protected].
Elnora Moye,
Trade Program Assistant.
[FR Doc. 2014-06111 Filed 3-19-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P