Mission Statement

ACE/Infrastructure Trade Mission

Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, China

September 4-11, 2003

 

 

 

Mission Description:

 

U.S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service Trade Mission Program will lead an ACE/Infrastructure Trade Mission to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China, September 4-11, 2003.  This event will target all sectors of the architecture, construction, and engineering/infrastructure industries and will focus on helping those industries expand in the Chinese market.

 

Commercial Setting:

 

Infrastructure investment is a key element in China's economic development plan.  A number of projects have been targeted over the next 5-10 years, including light-rails, motorways, traffic control facilities, railways, ports, telecommunications, oil and gas, and coal sectors.  With the 2008 Olympic Games scheduled for Beijing, there is a high demand for infrastructure development.  In preparation for the Games, there are plans to expand the airport, build sports venue sites, construct a large stadium and improve the general infrastructure of the city.  Thirty-seven sports venues will be used in the Games; twenty-two of those sites will be newly constructed, and fifteen will be renovated.  As these projects are being designed and constructed, the Chinese are emphasizing environmental conscious building and focusing on protecting natural resources, especially the water supply.

 

In Shanghai, the residential market offers tremendous potential for American companies.  Building materials and interior design are two of the fastest growing sectors in Shanghai.  As with the general Chinese market, projects in Shanghai are emphasizing designs that focuses on energy efficient buildings, "green" building projects, or the sustainable small communities concept.  China looks to American designers for their expertise in these areas.

 

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong announced a new infrastructure development plan, which will be implemented over the next fifteen years.  The plan calls for  $78 billion in spending to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a world-class city and tourism center.  The blueprints involve 1,600 projects that are either under way or in their planning stages.   The projects include: 12 railway extensions and 10 new highways and bridges; a new rail link every year until 2007; a road linking Hong Kong, Macau, Zhuhai and the western part of Guangdong; new towns; recreation and leisure centers; and the redevelopment of urban districts.  Most of these projects will be built by overseas companies, so American companies engaged in design, engineering, construction services, and in the supply of building products and equipment should find good market potential.

 

 

 

Mission Scenario:

 

The Trade Mission will start in Hong Kong with two days of business meetings, two days of business meetings in Shanghai, and will conclude with two days of business meetings in Hong Kong.  At each stop, the Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing, highlighting opportunities in the ACE/infrastructure sectors; schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant; and arrange a reception to introduce the participants to key business people in the industry.

 

Timetable:

 

September 4            Arrive Hong Kong

September 5            Briefing and Business Meetings

September 6            Business Meetings

September 7            Travel to Shanghai

September 8            Briefing and Business Meetings

September 9            Business Meetings

September 10            Travel to Beijing

Briefing and Business Meetings

September 11            Business Meetings and Conclusion

 

Criteria for Participation:

 

·        Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals

 

·        Potential for business in the selected markets

 

·        Timely submission of the company's completed application, participation agreement, and payment of the mission participation fee

 

·        Provision of adequate information on the company's products and/or services and communication of the company's primary objectives to facilitate appropriate matching with potential business partners

 

·        Certification that the company's products and/or services are manufactured or produced in the United States, or, if manufactured/produced outside of the United States, the product/service must be marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have U.S. content representing at least 51 percent of the value of the finished good or service.

 

Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.

 

The Trade Mission will be promoted through the following venues: US Export Assistance Centers and Teams; the Federal Register; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; past Matchmaker and Commerce Trade Mission participants; various in-house and purchased industry lists; and on ITA's Internet home page.

 

Recruitment will begin immediately, and will close on  June 30, 2003, approximately eight weeks prior to the start of the mission.  The Trade Mission will target 10 companies. Applications received after that date will be considered only if space and scheduling constraints permit.  The participation fee for the event will be approximately $4,100 per company.

 

Contact Information:

Sam Dhir, Project Officer
Matchmaker Trade Delegations Program
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2012
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-4756/Fax: (202) 482-0178
Email: sam.dhir@mail.doc.gov

Website: http://www.usatrade.gov/matchmaker