Application to Participate in Southeast Asia Trade Mission
MISSION OVERVIEW
The United States Department of Commerce is organizing a Trade Mission to Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok, Thailand, April 20-28, 2009, to promote U.S. firms offering environmentally friendly design and engineering services, energy efficient building systems, efficient lighting and heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and eco-friendly building products. Growing interest in energy efficiency, environmental protection, and “green” building are generating significant opportunities in these markets for U.S. firms offering innovative products and technologies. The mission will include one-on-one business matchmaking appointments with prospective agents, distributors, and end-users; updates on major projects; Embassy briefings on doing business in each country market; and networking receptions.
DESTINATIONS
HONG KONG
In Hong Kong’s estimated $24 billion annual construction and
building sector, usage of eco-friendly and energy-saving products
has increased in recent years as developers are becoming more
concerned about their environmental image and seek to attract
multinational corporate tenants who prefer features that will
save energy, reduce waste, and increase productivity in their
commercial projects.
SINGAPORE
Singapore’s $17 billion construction market is estimated to reach
$20 billion annually over the next five years. Government
spending will be the main factor sustaining construction demand,
with emphasis on infrastructure projects. Singapore’s interest in
green building promises to be substantial. The Government has set
aside about $13 million over the next three years for the Green
Mark Incentive Program, administered by the Building and
Construction Authority (BCA), offering cash incentives to private
developers and building owners for efforts to achieve a BCA Green
Mark Gold rating for new or retrofitted buildings with a gross
floor area exceeding 5,000 square meters.
THAILAND
The United States and Thailand have enjoyed a special commercial
relationship for 175 years under the Treaty of Amity and
Commerce, which in most sectors affords U.S. companies operating
in Thailand national treatment, putting them on an “equal playing
field” with Thai companies, a privilege offered to no other
trading partner’s companies. The Thai market offers opportunities
for U.S. companies in a number of infrastructure sectors,
including building and renewable energy.
The growing necessity for energy conservation in commercial and
residential buildings is opening doors for “green” building
products in Thailand.
AGENDA
| April 20, 2009 |
Mission begins in Hong Kong Market briefing Business matchmaking Networking reception |
| April 20-21, 2009 | Business matchmaking |
| April 22, 2009 |
Travel to Singapore |
| April 23-24, 2009 |
Market Briefing Business matchmaking |
| April 25 or 26, 2009 |
Travel to Bangkok, Thailand on weekend |
| April 27-28, 2009 |
Briefing Business matchmaking Networking reception Mission concludes |
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
All parties interested in participating in the Building for the Future Trade Mission must complete and submit an application package for consideration by the Department of Commerce. All applicants will be evaluated on their ability to meet certain conditions and best satisfy the selection criteria. A minimum of 7 and maximum of 15 companies will be selected 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 the target markets for the first time may 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. The participation fee will be
$5,785 for a large firm and $3,975 for a small or medium-sized
enterprise (SME). The fee for each additional firm representative
(large firm or SME) is $450. Expenses for travel, lodging, most
meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission
participant. The option to participate in the mission is also
being offered to U.S.-based firms with an established presence in
the target markets or neighboring countries; the same fee
structure applies.
* 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).
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 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 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished product or service.
Selection Criteria for Participation: Selection will be based on the following criteria:
- Suitability of the company’s products or services in the target markets and sectors
- Applicant’s potential for business in the target markets, including likelihood of exports resulting from the mission
- Consistency of the applicant’s goals and objectives with the stated scope of the trade mission
- 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.
SIGN UP TODAY TO PARTICIPATE!
Applications are available by clicking here. Application deadline is
March 4, 2009. Applications received after the deadline
will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints
permit.
Need More Information? Contact:
Sean Timmins
Global Trade Programs
Commercial Service Trade Missions Program
Tel: 202-482-1841
E-mail: FutureBuildMission@mail.doc.gov
Terri Batch
International Trade Specialist
Global Design Build Team Leader
Tel: 310-882-1750
E-mail: Terri.Batch@mail.doc.gov