Guidelines for Joining the Mission
To be part of the upcoming mission, applicants are required to submit a comprehensive mission application alongside supplementary materials. These materials should offer sufficient insights into their products or services, primary market goals, and participation objectives. Incomplete submissions may lead to rejection, a request for more information, or consideration of the lack of details during evaluation. Should the minimum participant count not be met by the recruitment deadline, the mission could be subject to cancellation.
Certification of Product Origin and Content
Each applicant must confirm that the products or services they intend to export through the mission are either made in the U.S. or, if not, are branded under a U.S. firm with at least 51% U.S. content. For trade associations, each represented firm or service provider should also adhere to these criteria. Furthermore, applicants must pledge compliance with U.S. export regulations, disclose any pending matters involving the Department of Commerce, identify ongoing litigations involving the Department, and commit to a policy against bribing foreign officials.
Selection Criteria for Mission Participants
We will be selecting participants for the mission who are U.S. businesses, service providers, and trade associations looking to showcase or promote U.S. products and services in the mission’s target country. The selection process will consider the following aspects:
- Suitability of products or services for the target markets.
- Potential for business growth and export outcomes.
- Alignment of goals with the mission’s scope.
- Possible consideration of company size and location.
Exclusions and Selection Process
Applications with references to political affiliations or contributions will be excluded from consideration. The Department of Commerce will evaluate applications on an ongoing basis until the maximum participant count is reached. Applicants will be informed of their selection status accordingly.
Participation Fees for Trade Mission
Upon selection, participants need to pay the designated participation fee within 5 business days to secure their spot. Selected participants are responsible for personal expenses such as travel, accommodation, meals, etc. However, U.S. Government hotel rates will be available. If the mission is canceled, participation fees will be reimbursed if not already spent. Participants should be aware that participating in trade missions involves personal risk, as the U.S. Government cannot guarantee security in foreign markets.
SME Classification and Participation Fees
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can determine their eligibility for reduced participation fees based on the Small Business Administration’s size standards. The SBA Size Standards Tool will aid in identifying qualifying criteria.
Important Considerations Regarding Covid–19
Travel and in-person activities are subject to safety and health conditions in both the U.S. and mission countries. If conditions are unsuitable, the event may be postponed or held virtually. In such cases, selected participants will be notified of adjustments to fees and program details.
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