[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 81 (Tuesday, April 28, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 23505]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-09802]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration
Establishment of Expedited Trade Mission Procedures
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade
Administration, is establishing new procedures for Expedited Trade
Missions. When the Secretary approves a Decision Memo justifying the
use of expedited procedures, the Department of Commerce will endeavor
to conduct recruitment and selection for the mission within 2-3 weeks.
Applicants should be aware that mission statements for Expedited Trade
Missions will NOT be notified in the Federal Register. Instead, they
will be posted online at: http://www.export.gov/trademissions/eg_main_023185.asp.
Applicants should also be aware that deadlines for applying for
Expedited Trade Missions will be extremely short. The procedures for
selecting participants for Expedited Trade Missions will be compressed.
All interested parties that meet the conditions of participation are
encouraged to apply, and all applicants will be evaluated on an equal
basis with respect to the participation criteria.
DATES: Expedited Trade Mission procedures are established as of April
28, 2015.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Commerce endeavors to plan
trade missions as far in advance as is feasible. However, in certain
circumstances it is in the Department's interest, and consistent with
its priorities, to lead a trade mission on an expedited basis,
contingent on the availability of Departmental resources.
The Department is establishing new procedures for Expedited Trade
Missions that will allow it, upon the approval of the Secretary, Deputy
Secretary or Under Secretary of International Trade, to lead trade
missions on an expedited basis. When the Secretary, Deputy Secretary or
Under Secretary of International Trade approves a Decision Memo
justifying the use of expedited procedures, the Department will
endeavor to conduct recruitment and selection for the mission within 2-
3 weeks.
The mission statements for Expedited Trade Missions will only be
posted on the Web site above. The mission statement will include the
conditions of participation and the participation criteria for the
Expedited Trade Mission. Any party interested in participating is
encouraged to apply if it meets the conditions of participation. All
applicants will be evaluated on an equal basis with respect to the
participation criteria.
The deadline to apply for an Expedited Trade Mission may be
extremely short, potentially as little as 5 business days from the date
the mission statement is posted. Short deadlines are needed to allow
for recruitment and selection to be completed within 2-3 weeks. In most
cases, as specified in the mission statement, applications received
after the indicated deadline will be considered only if space and
scheduling constraints permit.
The selection process for Expedited Trade Missions will not differ
substantively from other trade missions, but will be compressed. The
Department will endeavor to complete selection within 5 business days
after the application deadline. Applicants for Expedited Trade Missions
will be informed promptly whether or not they have been selected.
The timing for Expedited Trade Missions is expected to be extremely
compressed. We encourage those selected for an Expedited Trade Mission
to begin making arrangements to participate immediately. Business or
entry visas may be required to participate on the mission. Applying for
and obtaining such visas will be the responsibility of the mission
participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such
visas are not included in the participation fee. However, the
Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on
the procedures required to obtain necessary business visas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Frank Spector, Acting Director, Trade
Missions Program, Phone: (202) 482-2054, Email:
[email protected].
Frank Spector,
Acting Director, Trade Missions Program.
[FR Doc. 2015-09802 Filed 4-27-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P