[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 110 (Thursday, June 8, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 30286-30287]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-14033]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket Number 950531143-5143-01]
International Buyer Program (Formerly Known as the Foreign Buyer
Program); Support for Domestic Trade Shows
AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice and Call for Applications for the FY'97 International
Buyer Program (October 1, 1996, through September 30, 1997).
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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth objectives, procedures and application
review criteria associated with the U.S. Department of Commerce's
International Buyer Program (IBP), formerly known as the Foreign Buyer
Program, to support domestic trade shows: Selection in the
International Buyer Program for Fiscal Year 1997.
The International Buyer Program was established to bring
international buyers together with U.S. firms by promoting leading U.S.
trade shows in industries with high export potential. The International
Buyer Program emphasizes cooperation between the U.S. Department of
Commerce (DOC) and trade show organizers to benefit U.S. firms
exhibiting at selected events and provides practical, hands-on
assistance to U.S. companies interested in exporting such as export
counseling and market analysis. The assistance provided to show
organizers includes worldwide overseas promotion of selected shows to
potential international buyers, end-users, representatives and
distributors. The worldwide promotion is executed through the offices
of the Commerce Department's Commercial Service of the United States of
America (Commercial Service), formerly referred to as United States and
Foreign Commercial Service, in 69 countries representing America's
major trading partners, and also through U.S. Embassies in countries
where the Commercial Service does not maintain offices. The Department
expects to select approximately 22 shows for FY97 from among applicants
to the program. Shows selected for the International Buyer Program will
provide a venue for U.S. companies interested in expanding their sales
into international markets. Successful applicants will be required to
enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets forth the
specific actions to be performed by the show organizer and the DOC. The
MOU constitutes a participation agreement between the DOC and the show
organizer specifying which services are to be rendered by DOC as part
of the IBP and, in turn, what responsibilities must be assumed by the
show organizer. Anyone wishing to apply will be sent a copy of the MOU
along with the application package. The services to be rendered by DOC
will be carried out by the Commercial Service of the United States of
America unless otherwise indicated.
DATES: Applications must be received within July 24, 1995. A
contribution of $5,000 is required for each show selected by the IBP
for inclusion in the FY97 program.
ADDRESSES: Export Promotion Services/International Buyer Program,
Commercial Service of the United States of America, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2116, 14th and
Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230. Telephone: (202)
482-0481 (Facsimile applications will not be accepted.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Jim Boney, Product Manager,
International Buyer Program, Room 2116, Export Promotion Services, U.S.
and Foreign Commercial Service, International Trade Administration,
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20230. Telephone: (202) 482-0481 or Fax: (202) 482-
0115.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The International Trade Administration (ITA)
of the U.S. Department of Commerce is accepting applications for the
International Buyer Program (IBP) for events taking place between
October 1, 1996, and September 30, 1997.
Under the IBP, the Department seeks to bring international buyers
together with U.S. firms by selecting and promoting in international
markets domestic trade shows in industries with high export potential.
Selection of a trade show is one-time, i.e., a trade show organizer
seeking selection for a recurring event must submit a new application
for selection for each occurrence of the event. If the event occurs
more than once in the 12-month period covering this announcement, the
trade show organizer must submit a separate application for each event.
The Department will select approximately 22 events to support
during this 12-month period. The Department will select those events
that, in its judgment, most clearly meet the Department's objectives
and selection criteria mentioned below.
Selection indicates that the Department has found the event to be a
leading international trade show appropriate for participation by U.S.
exporting firms and promotion in overseas markets by U.S. Embassies and
Consulates. Selection does not constitute a guarantee by the U.S.
Government of the show's success. Selection is not an endorsement of
the show organizer except as to its International Buyer Program
activities. Non-Selection should not be viewed as a finding that the
event will not be successful in the promotion of U.S. exports.
Exclusions
Trade shows that are either first-time or horizontal (non-industry
specific) events will not be considered. Annual trade shows will not be
selected for this program more than twice in any three-year period
(e.g., shows selected for fiscal years 1995 and 1996 are not eligible
for inclusion in this program in fiscal year 1997, but can be
considered in subsequent years).
The Office of Management and Budget has approved the information
collection requirements of the application to this program under the
provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1980 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et.
seq.) (OMB control no. 0625-0151 approved for use through 10/31/97).
General Selection Criteria
Subject to Departmental budget and resource constraints, those
events will be selected that, in the judgment of the Department, most
clearly meet the following criteria: [[Page 30287]]
(a) Export Potential
The products and services to be promoted at the trade show are from
U.S. industries that have high export potential, as determined by U.S.
Department of Commerce sources, i.e., best prospects lists and U.S.
export statistics. (Certain industries are rated as priorities by our
domestic and international commercial officers in their Country
Commercial Guides.)
(b) International Interest
The trade show meets the needs of a significant number of overseas
markets covered by the Commercial Service and corresponds to marketing
opportunities as identified by the posts in their Country Commercial
Guides (e.g., best prospects lists). Previous international attendance
at the show may be used as an indicator.
(c) Scope of the Show
The trade show offers a broad spectrum of U.S. made products and/or
services for the subject industry. Trade shows with a majority of U.S.
firms will be given preference.
(d) Stature of the Show
The trade show is clearly recognized by the industry it covers as a
leading event for the promotion of that industry's products and
services both domestically and internationally and as a showplace for
the latest technology or services in that industry.
(e) Exhibitor Interest
There is demonstrated interest on the part of U.S. exhibitors in
receiving international business visitors during the trade show. A
significant number of these exhibitors should be new-to-export or
seeking to expand sales into additional international markets.
(f) Overseas Marketing
There has been demonstrated effort made to market prior shows
overseas. In addition, the applicant should describe in detail the
international marketing program to be conducted for the event,
explaining how efforts should increase individual and group
international attendance.
(g) Logistics
The trade show site, facilities, transportation services and
availability of accommodations are in the stature of an international-
class trade show.
(h) Cooperation
The applicant demonstrates willingness to cooperate with the
Commercial Service of the United States of America to fulfill the
program's goals and to adhere to target dates set out in the Memorandum
of Understanding and the event timetable, both of which are available
from the program office.
Past experience in the IBP will be taken into account in evaluating
current applications to the program.
Authority: The statutory authority authorizing the Department to
provide the type of assistance contemplated under the International
Buyer Program is 15 U.S.C. 4724.
John Klinglehut,
Acting Director, Office of Public/Private Initiatives, Commercial
Service of the United States of America, International Trade
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 95-14033 Filed 6-7-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-25-P
