# Trade Mission to Bahia, Brazil, May 19-28, 1997 > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-10030 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** April 18, 1997 - **Citation:** 62 FR 19102 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Trade Mission to Bahia, Brazil, May 19-28, 1997 AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notice serves to inform the public of a trade mission to Bahia, Brazil to be held May 19-28, 1997 (``the mission''); provides interested U.S. firms with the opportunity to submit an application to participate in the mission; sets forth objectives, procedures, and selection review criteria for the mission; and requests applications. The recruitment and selection of private sector participants in the mission will be conducted in accordance with the Statement of Policy Governing Department of Commerce Overseas Trade Missions announced by Secretary Daley on March 3, 1997 and reflected herein. DATES: Applications should be received by May 5, 1997. This mission is scheduled for May 19 through May 28, 1997. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit. ADDRESSES: Request for and submission of applications: Applications are available from: Paulo Mendes, Project Officer, Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room 3025, Washington, DC 20230; phone 202-482-3872; facsimile 202-482-4157. Numbers listed in this notice are not toll-free. An original and two copies of the required application materials should be sent to the Project Officer at the above address. Applications sent by facsimile must be immediately followed by submission of the original application to the Project Officer. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paulo Mendes, Project Officer, 202- 482-3872. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Mission Description As part of the outreach component of the U.S.-Brazil Business Development Council (BDC), ITA will organize and lead a trade mission to the state of Bahia, Brazil. Because of Brazil's prospects for continued economic growth over the next few years, the U.S. Department of Commerce has developed special initiatives to assist U.S. companies establish stronger bilateral commercial relations, including the U.S.- Brazil BDC. The BDC was formed to develop a program of activities to facilitate bilateral commerce and is comprised of public and private sector members. A major objective of the BDC is to cultivate U.S. business links with non-traditional economic areas in Brazil, including the state of Bahia. The mission will introduce U.S. companies to opportunities for the sales of U.S. goods and services and investment in the emerging northeastern region of Brazil. The region is undergoing an industrial boom; it received over US$6 billion in foreign direct investment in 1995 and 1997. It is expected that the state will attract over US$20 billion in foreign direct investment between 1997 and 2012. There is a rapidly growing market for U.S. products and services which are often related to new investments in the state. The mission is intended to provide greater access and expose U.S. firms to the booming state of Bahia, Brazil. Moreover, because the state of Bahia is the gateway to other growing markets in the northeastern region of Brazil, it will provide participant companies a foothold in the region. This will be a ``horizontal'' mission. The industry focus of the mission will depend on the mix of companies--limited to 15--that ITA is able to recruit. The sectors of the state of Bahia economy which present best opportunities for U.S. companies include: (1) Chemicals and petrochemicals, (2) telecommunications, (3) tourism (hotels and resorts), (4) mining, (5) paper and pulp, (6) electricity, and (7) agribusiness. The itinerary of the mission should include the following stops: Salvador, Brasilia, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The exact itinerary will depend on the final mix of participating companies. The stops in cities outside the state of Bahia may be scheduled to facilitate and enhance the commercial activities in the target market. Mission Goals The goals of the mission are to increase U.S. exports and promote U.S. investment in Bahia and to cultivate U.S. business links with non- traditional economic areas in Brazil, including the state of Bahia. Similarly to what was done in prior missions, we will measure our effectiveness by actual exports and/or investments triggered by the trade mission. Accordingly, after the mission, we will monitor progress made by the companies. Mission Scenario We will offer the following opportunities to the private sector participants: (1) Contacts with high level government officials, (2) one-on- [[Page 19103]] one matchmaking meetings, (3) in-depth workshops on doing business in Brazil, and (4) all logistical support. We expect that individuals-- after participating in the mission--will feel comfortable operating in Brazil and, thus, will know how to establish an effective strategy to penetrate and/or expand their commercial presence in Brazil. Participation Criteria A maximum of 15 companies will be selected to participate in the mission. Participants must be potential exporters to and/or investors in the state of Bahia or neighboring regions. We will assess a company's potential to penetrate the Brazilian market in light of the opportunities in Bahia and select the best candidates based on the following factors: (1) Consistency of a company's goals with the scope, nature and desired outcome of the mission as described herein; (2) Relevance of a company's business line to the plan for the mission; (3) Past, present and prospective business activity in Bahia (and Brazil); (4) Diversity of company size, type, location, demographics and traditional under-representation in business; and (5) Timeliness of completed application by company (including payment of participation fee). An applicant's partisan political activities (including political contributions) are entirely irrelevant to the selection process. Endorsements/Referrals Third parties may nominate or endorse potential applicants, but companies that are nominated or endorsed must themselves submit an application in order to be eligible for consideration. Referrals from political organizations will not be considered. Costs; The fee to participate in the mission is $750. The participation fee does not cover the participants' travel, lodging or other personal expenses. Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512. Walter Bastian, Director, Office of Latin America and the Caribbean. [FR Doc. 97-10030 Filed 4-17-97; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A97-10030. Public record. Not legal advice.