International Buyer Program (Formerly Known as the Foreign Buyer Program); Support for Domestic Trade Shows

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