Mission Statement

U.S. Delegation of Exhibitors to "CEO Program at Biotechnica '03"
Hanover, Germany, October 7-9, 2003

Mission Description:

The U.S. Commercial Service (USCS) office in Hamburg, part of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration, is organizing the first Corporate Executive Office at Biotechnica '03. The CEO Program, which is organized by the USCS will provide match-making services for U.S. companies who will use the CEO meeting space to meet with prospective business partners. U.S. companies interested in the CEO Program receive a limited exhibition area and a bi-lingual assistant.

The event will be held October 7-9, 2003 in Hanover, Germany. This will be the first CEO Program for U.S. biotech firms at BIOTECHNICA. BIOTECHNICA is Europe's largest and most significant international fair dealing with biotechnology. Held biannually, it will be the venue for approximately 55 U.S. biotech firms to increase U.S. business opportunities in Germany and Europe.

The CEO Program is an effective alternative to exhibiting at or simply visiting BIOTECHNICA for U.S. exporters and targets new-to-market U.S. companies in this sector that have not previously exhibited at BIOTECHNICA. The CEO Program affords lower cost access to BIOTECHNICA, allowing small and medium-sized businesses to participate without absorbing high costs. The BIOTECHNICA CEO is intended as an alternative to exhibiting individually.

Commercial Setting:

Germany's model of matching private capital with state funding has placed Germany as the market leader of the biotech industry in Europe. Although sales in Germany have decreased slightly, Germany still has the largest number of firms in any country in Europe.

Germany's current globalization climate yields a high potential for in-licensing German start-up technology, biotech-to-biotech consolidations and out-licensing to Germany's big pharmaceutical industry. Product companies in the field of cardio-, cancer- and neuro-therpeutics are expected to perform best in the German market.

Mission Goals:

The CEO at BIOTECHNICA enables U.S. biotech companies to familiarize themselves with this important trade fair, conduct market research and explore export opportunities through pre-arranged meetings with potential partners, investigation of market conditions and discussions conducted at the show. Importantly, the CEO allows U.S. companies to have a presence at the show, thereby providing them with an enhanced image and level of engagement, an office infrastructure environment, and knowledgeable support of USCS staff and personal assistants focused on furthering company-specific objectives. Access is made possible to German, European, and other international markets and business partners, through the CEO, in a manner that cannot be matched by simply attending the show as a visitor.

Mission Scenario:

Participants will spend three days at BIOTECHNICA 2003 in Hanover, Germany. Hanover is the heart of Germany's medical industry, and one of Germany's larger biotech centers. Participants will also have the use of a CEO Lounge and a bi-lingual assistant for three exposition days. The precise schedule will depend on the specific goals of the mission participants.

Mission Timetable:

Event participants will arrive in Hanover, Germany on or about October 6, 2003. Three days of trade-show participation (including meetings arranged during the trade show) will be held October 7-9, 2003, in Hanover, Germany.

Event promotion will involve, but not be limited to, the following venues: the U.S. Export Assistance Centers; relevant trade associations; various in-house and purchased industry lists. The CEO Program at BIOTECHNICA will also be listed on ITA's Internet home page (www.ita.doc.gov/doctm).

Criteria for Participation:

Interested companies must submit a completed application, payment of the $500 participation fee, a signed participation agreement, and certifications.

Participating companies' products and/or services must be manufactured or produced in the United States or if manufactured/produced outside of the U.S., 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.

Recruitment will be conducted in an open and public manner, including publication in the Federal Register, posting on the Internet, and press releases to the general and trade media.

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

Contact Information:

Overseas Post &
Recruitment Lead:

Sebastian Köhler, Commercial Specialist
American Consulate General, Hamburg
The Commercial Service
Alsterufer 27-28
D-20354 Hamburg, Germany
Tel: (011) 49-40-411-71-223
Fax: (011) 49-40-410-65-98
Sebastian.Koehler@mail.doc.gov

John Fogarasi , Minister Councilor
American Embassy, Berlin
U.S. Commercial Service
Neustädtische Kirchstr. 4-5
D-10117 Berlin, Germany
Tel: (011) 49-03-8305-2740
Fax:(011) 49-03-2045-4466
John.Fogarasi@mail.doc.gov

U.S. Contact:

Lora Baker, International Trade Specialist
Silicon Valley/San Jose U.S. Export Assistance Center
152 N. 3rd St., Suite 550
San Jose, CA 95112
Tel: (408) 271-7300 x109
Fax: (408) 271-7306
Lora.Baker@mail.doc.gov

Dennis McClure
U.S. Department of Commerce/US&FCS
14th & Constitution Ave., NW, Rm. 3122
Washington, DC 20230
Tel: (202) 482-3347
Fax: (202) 482-3159
Dennis.McClure@mail.doc.gov