U.S. Commerce Department Promotes Economic Growth Through Trade
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia Offer U.S. Firms Untapped Potential

The U.S. Department of Commerce will lead five U.S. business executives on a business development mission to explore and expand export opportunities in Hungary, Poland and Slovakia's automotive sector. Carlos Poza Deputy Director General of the U.S. Commercial Service, will lead the mission, March 17-21.

"Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia are excellent markets for U.S. exports," Poza said. "America's automotive entrepreneurs offer some of the best in innovative ingenuity and know-how and are ready to do business. This business development mission is geared toward expanding trade that will strengthen our economies and create jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."

Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia are among the group of ten countries expected to join the European Union in 2004. At the time of accession, each country will have adopted the EU's common external tariff. In most cases, the new tariffs will be lower than the tariffs these countries currently apply to U.S. products. Understanding these important markets today will ensure that U.S. companies can take advantage of the opportunities that will result from the lower tariffs. Demand for auto parts includes roller bearings, carburetors, transmissions, tires and tubes, auto body parts, electronic equipment, engines, and more.

Mission participants will receive market briefings, appointments with potential business partners and meetings with key business and government officials in the automotive sector.

U.S. exports of automotive parts to Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia totaled nearly $69 million last year (Hungary, $52 million; Poland, $15 million; and Slovakia $1.6 million).

The U.S. Department of Commerce's U.S. Commercial Service helps small and medium-sized businesses export. The agency's global network includes 107 U.S. offices and 161 posts around the world. Last year, the U.S. Commercial Service helped U.S. businesses generate export sales worth more than $21 billion. For more information on the U.S. Commercial Service, please visit www.BuyUSA.com. (list of companies below)

Business Delegation

Mr. Dale Sands
Senior Vice President and Managing Director,
European Operations, Global Environmental Services
Earth Tech
Long Beach, California

Mr. Don Carbone
President
Managed Programs LLC
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Mr. Anil Narang
Director of Business Development
Transmission Technologies Corporation
Farmington Hills, Michigan

Mr. Danny Elassir
Export Director
Exotica Fresheners
Toledo, Ohio

Mr. Lloyd R. "Russ" Evans, Jr.
Secretary and Treasurer
TYRES 2000 Limited

President
EER Limited
Hebron, Connecticut