[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 43 (Thursday, March 5, 1998)] [Notices] [Page 10860] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 98-5805] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Business Development Trade Mission to the People's Republic of China AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Under Secretary for International Trade will lead a Business Development trade mission to The People's Republic of China and the special administrative region of Hong Kong to promote expanded trade opportunities and advocate for U.S. business interests in priority sectors throughout China. These sectors include: infrastructure in the transportation and engineering, design and construction fields; construction machinery; air traffic control equipment; information technologies, machine tools; insurance and project finance. The mission, which will occur April 13-22, 1998, will be supported by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. Dates: Interested U.S. firms should apply to participate in the mission as soon as possible. All application requirements must be completed by March 21, 1998. For Further Information Contact: Requests for additional information should be made to Damon C. Greer, (202) 482-5023 at the Commerce Department's Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery. Supplementary Information: The criteria for selection of mission participants are:Relevance of a company's business line to mission goals Timeliness of completed application by company (including participation fee) Potential of business in China for the company Any partisan political activities (including political contributions) of an applicant are entirely irrelevant to the selection process. China represents one of the most dynamic markets in the world and after Japan has the potential of being the largest single market in Asia for U.S. exports. The United States has made progress toward opening China's market to U.S. goods and services. At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Vice Premier Li Lanquing recently announced China's plans to invest more than $750 billion in infrastructure over the next three years. This development represents a tremendous potential for U.S. capital goods manufacturers and infrastructure development firms. The Under Secretary will meet with senior decision makers in the Chinese government to advocate on behalf of U.S. companies, address market access issues, and work to strengthen Commerce's public/private partnership in China. Business participants will meet with potential clients and business partners, industry groups, and relevant Chinese government agencies. Additionally, meetings will be held with regional and local authorities to discuss opportunities for the sectors represented on the mission. Dated: February 27, 1998. Damon C. Greer, Acting Director, Office of Energy, Infrastructure and Machinery. [FR Doc. 98-5805 Filed 3-4-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DR-U