2024-09715. Announcement of Approved International Trade Administration Trade Mission

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is announcing one upcoming trade mission that will be recruited, organized, and implemented by ITA. This mission is: Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission to South Africa and Angola—August 19-24, 2024. A summary of the mission is found below. Application information and more detailed mission information, including the commercial setting and sector information, can be found at the trade mission website: https://www.trade.gov/​trade-missions. For this 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 ( https://www.trade.gov/​trade-missions-schedule) and other internet websites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, notices by industry trade associations and other multiplier groups, and publicity at industry meetings, symposia, conferences, and trade shows.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jeffrey Odum, Trade Events Task Force, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230; telephone [phone] or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Following Conditions for Participation Will Be Used for the Mission

Applicants must submit a completed and signed mission application and supplemental application materials, including adequate information on their products and/or services, primary market objectives, and goals for participation that is adequate to allow the Department of Commerce to evaluate their application. If the Department of Commerce receives an incomplete application, the Department may either: reject the application, request additional information/clarification, or take the lack of information into account when evaluating the application. If the requisite minimum number of participants is not selected for a particular mission by the recruitment deadline, the mission may be canceled.

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, are marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one percent U.S. content by value. In the case of a trade association or organization, the applicant must certify that, for each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/organization, the products and/or services the represented firm or service provider 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 by value.

A trade association/organization applicant must certify to the above for all of the companies it seeks to represent on the mission.

In addition, each applicant must:

• Certify that the products and services that it wishes to market through the mission would be in compliance with U.S. export controls and regulations;
• Certify that it has identified any matter pending before any bureau or office in the Department of Commerce;
• Certify that it has identified any pending litigation (including any administrative proceedings) to which it is a party that involves the Department of Commerce; and
• Sign and submit an agreement that it and its affiliates (1) have not and will not engage in the bribery of foreign officials in connection with a company's/participant's involvement in this mission, and (2) maintain and enforce a policy that prohibits the bribery of foreign officials.

In the case of a trade association/organization, the applicant must certify that each firm or service provider to be represented by the association/organization can make the above certifications.

The Following Selection Criteria Will Be Used for the Mission

Targeted mission participants are U.S. firms, services providers, and trade associations/organizations providing or promoting U.S. products and services that have an interest in entering or expanding their business in the mission's destination country. The following criteria will be evaluated in selecting participants:

• Suitability of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) products or services to these markets;
• The applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) potential for business in the markets, including the likelihood of exports resulting from the mission; and
• Consistency of the applicant's (or in the case of a trade association/organization, represented firm's or service provider's) goals and objectives with the stated scope of the mission.

Balance of company size and location may also be considered during the review process. Referrals from a political party or partisan political group or any information, including on the application, containing references to political contributions or other partisan political activities will be excluded from the application and will not be considered during the selection process. The sender will be notified of these exclusions.

Definition of Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise

For purposes of assessing participation fees, an applicant is a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) if it qualifies as a “small business” under the Small Business Administration's (SBA) size standards ( https://www.sba.gov/​document/​support--table-size-standards), which vary by North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code. The SBA Size Standards Tool ( https://www.sba.gov/​size-standards) can help you determine the qualifications that apply to your company.

Mission List: (additional information about trade missions can be found at https://www.trade.gov/​trade-missions).

Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission to South Africa and Angola—August 19-24, 2024.

Summary

The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration (ITA), is organizing a Sub-Saharan Africa Rail and Port Trade Mission (SSARP TM) to South Africa and Angola from August 19 through August 24, 2024. The objective of this mission is to advance U.S. national interests and focus on meeting demand for U.S. rail and port solutions for African markets.

The business development mission will bring 10-15 companies from U.S. rail and port manufacturers to Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the Southern African Railways Association (SARA) Conference and to Luanda and Lobito, Angola to meet with officials and potential buyers focused on the Lobito Corridor, the first strategic economic corridor launched by President Biden under the flagship G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment Initiative (PGI).

ITA will organize a tailored program for U.S. companies exploring opportunities in African markets and will leverage strong connections with U.S. interagency partners to lead discussions on trade, financing, and technical aspects of doing business in Africa. Mission participants will have the opportunity to meet with transportation leaders at the SARA Conference, where leaders from across Africa will converge. Mission participants will participate in the expo and conference, develop business prospects through ITA-hosted networking events, vetted business-to-business matchmaking, roundtable discussions with U.S. and foreign government and industry leaders, product presentations, and site visits to manufacturing and infrastructure facilities.

Mission participants will receive assistance to secure meetings, gain greater exposure to African markets, and benefit from the guidance and insights of ITA's commercial team and the support and expertise of interagency partners focused on funding and financing opportunities for U.S. companies working in Africa, including EX-IM Bank, DFC, TDA, and other USG partners.

South Africa Stop

The anchor event for the SSARP TM is the SARA Conference and Exhibition (August 21-23, 2024) in Johannesburg, an annual event that has been gaining traction in recent years ( https://www.sararailconference.com/​conference/​). It is closely linked to the Transportation Committee ( https://www.sadc.int/​pillars/​transport) of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which seeks to increase integration, investment, and development of the rail sector in southern Africa.

The SARA Conference has traditionally attracted many regional rail stakeholders (government, parastatals, operating concessionaries, and service providers) from SADC, primarily in rail, but also mining and ports. SADC consists of Angola, Botswana, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Angola Stop

The second destination for the SSARP TM is Luanda and Lobito in Angola. Angola was selected as a second stop to increase U.S. rail and port companies' awareness and engagement in the Lobito Corridor Project, which is a flagship project under PGI. The Lobito Corridor will integrate Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the northwestern part of Zambia, into regional and global markets via Angola's Port of Lobito. The project represents the largest financial investment through the U.S. Export-Import (EXIM) Bank. The endeavor will develop green energy supply chains, and is envisioned to spur investments in agriculture, telecommunications, natural resources, logistics, and additional supply-chain sub-sectors in Angola.

Proposed Timetable

* Note:

The final schedule and potential site visits will depend on the availability of host government and business officials, specific goals of mission participants, and ground transportation.

Monday, August 19, 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa	• Trade Mission Participants Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa. • No Host Dinner with Business Development Mission Participants.
Tuesday, August 20, 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa	• U.S. Embassy Team Briefing. • Policy Roundtable with interagency partners. • One-on-one business matchmaking. • Evening Reception.
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa	• SARA Conference participation. • SARA networking events. • One-on-one business matchmaking. • Evening Reception.
Thursday, August 22, 2024 Johannesburg, South Africa-Luanda, Angola	• SARA Conference participation. • One-on-one business matchmaking. • Site visit to infrastructure projects. • Travel to Luanda, Angola.
Friday, August 23, 2024 Luanda, Angola-Lobito, Angola	• U.S. Embassy Team Briefing: In-depth discussion on the Lobito Corridor project. • B2B meeting and B2G meetings: Ministry of Transportation, Angolan Cargo and Logistics Certification Regulatory Agency, local companies currently providing services to the port of Luanda, Maritime and Port Institute Director (TBC).
	• Site Visit to the Port of Luanda (Operations Tour and meeting with Luanda Port Board members) (TBC).
	• Evening Networking reception.
Saturday, August 24, 2024 Lobito, Angola	• Travel to Benguela (one hour flight; take the first available morning flight). • Drive directly to Lobito infrastructure sites—Conduct port and rail site visits. • B2B meeting and B2G meetings: Ministry of Transportation, Angolan Cargo and Logistics Certification Regulatory Agency, infrastructure project leaders, National Institute of Railways of Angola, Association of Ports of Angola (TBC).
	• Evening Networking Reception.
	• End of Mission.

Participation Requirements

All parties interested in participating in the 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 as outlined below. A minimum of 10 and a maximum of 15 firms and/or trade associations will be selected to participate in the mission from the applicant pool.

Fees and Expenses

After a firm or trade association 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 for the Business Development Mission will be $5,775.00 for small or medium-sized enterprises (SME)1; and $6,620.00 for large firms or trade associations. The fee for each additional firm representative (large firm or SME/trade organization) is $1000.00. Expenses for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant. Interpreter and driver services can be arranged for additional cost. Delegation members will be able to take advantage of U.S. Embassy rates for hotel rooms.

If and when an applicant is selected to participate in a particular mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the amount of the designated participation fee below is required. Upon notification of acceptance to participate, those selected have 5 business days to submit payment or the acceptance may be revoked.

Participants selected for a trade mission will be expected to pay for the cost of personal expenses, including, but not limited to, international travel, lodging, meals, transportation, communication, and incidentals, unless otherwise noted. Participants will, however, be able to take advantage of U.S. Government rates for hotel rooms. In the event that a mission is canceled, no personal expenses paid in anticipation of a mission will be reimbursed. However, participation fees for a canceled mission will be reimbursed to the extent they have not already been expended in anticipation of the mission.

If a visa is required to travel on a particular mission, applying for and obtaining such a visa will be the responsibility of the mission participant. Government fees and processing expenses to obtain such a visa are not included in the participation fee. However, the Department of Commerce will provide instructions to each participant on the procedures required to obtain business visas.

Trade Mission members participate in trade missions and undertake mission-related travel at their own risk. The nature of the security situation in a given foreign market at a given time cannot be guaranteed. The U.S. Government does not make any representations or guarantees as to the safety or security of participants. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. Government international travel alerts and warnings for U.S. citizens available at https://travel.state.gov/​content/​passports/​en/​alertswarnings.html. Any question regarding insurance coverage must be resolved by the participant and its insurer of choice.

Travel and in-person activities are contingent upon the safety and health conditions in the United States and the mission countries. Should safety or health conditions not be appropriate for travel and/or in-person activities, the Department will consider postponing the event or offering a virtual program in lieu of an in-person agenda. In the event of a postponement, the Department will notify the public, and applicants previously selected to participate in this mission will need to confirm their availability but need not reapply. Should the decision be made to organize a virtual program, the Department will adjust fees, accordingly, prepare an agenda for virtual activities, and notify the previous selected applicants with the option to opt-in to the new virtual program.

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) and other internet websites, press releases to general and trade media, direct mail, notices by 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 June 28, 2024. The U.S. Department of Commerce will review applications and inform applicants of selection decisions on a rolling basis. Applications received after June 28, 2024, will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.

Contacts

Luke Yanos, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Chicago, [phone], [e-mail]

Johan van Rensburg, Senior Commercial Specialist—Rail and Mining, U.S. Embassy, Commercial Section, Johannesburg, South Africa

Mike Bromley, Commercial Officer, U.S. Embassy, Commercial Section, Johannesburg, South Africa, [phone], [e-mail]

R. Taylor Moore, Commercial Counselor, U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Embassy Maputo, Mozambique, +258 84.314.1687, [e-mail]

Matthew Case, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service Boston, [phone], [e-mail]

Michel E. Nouafo, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Cleveland, [phone], [e-mail]

Forrest Nielsen, International Trade Specialist, Industry & Analysis, [phone], [e-mail]

Mashal Shabbir, Desk Officer, Global Markets

Ian Cook, International Trade Specialist, Industry & Analysis, [phone], [e-mail]

Heather McLeod, Commercial Officer, U.S. Commercial Service Luanda, [e-mail]

Mauro Fonseca, Commercial Assistant, U.S. Commercial Service Luanda, [e-mail]

Juanita Harthun, Automotive and Smart Mobility Team Leader, U.S. Commercial Service Charlotte, [e-mail]

Richard Boll, Senior International Trade Specialist, Industry & Analysis, [e-mail]

Ryan Russell, Director, U.S. Commercial Service Pittsburgh, [e-mail]

John Tracy, Senior International Trade Specialist, U.S. Commercial Service Syracuse, [e-mail]

Gemal Brangman,

Director, ITA Events Management Task Force.