Mission Statement
Environmental Technologies Trade Mission
Malaysia - Thailand - Vietnam
March 29 - April 6, 2004
Mission Description:
The United States Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, U.S. Commercial Service is organizing an Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Bangkok, Thailand; and Hanoi, Vietnam, March 29-April 6, 2004. The Southeast Asian market for environmental technologies has been a lucrative one for U.S. firms, and the potential for further U.S. expansion into this region is significant. This event will target all sectors of the environmental technologies industry, with special focus on air pollution, water/wastewater treatment, waste management, waste recycling, and contaminated soil remediation.
Commercial Setting:
Malaysia's environmental market is estimated at US$800 million, with imported equipment accounting for approximately US$270 million. The services and resource sector predominates at an estimated US$530 million. The United States is Malaysia's leading foreign supplier of environmental equipment, especially water and wastewater equipment. Sectors offering the most attractive potential for environmental exports to Malaysia are public water supply, sewage treatment, and industrial wastewater treatment. These sectors account for more than 60 percent of the equipment market and more than 50 percent of all imported equipment.
Malaysia was among the first Southeast Asian nations to incorporate environmental concerns into its long-range economic plans. The Environmental Quality Act (EQA) of 1974 introduced 20 sets of regulations addressing pollution control issues such as water supply and wastewater treatment, air pollution control, and hazardous waste management. In 1996, amendments to the EQA called for clarification and strengthening of existing provisions and introduced new requirements relating to hazardous substances. The most sweeping change in the act was the adoption of higher penalties for pollution offenses.
Thailand will need to invest approximately US$1.2-1.5 billion to attain universal coverage for safe water and sanitation by 2020. Investments required for improving air quality are estimated at US$350-500 million and US$300-400 million for solid waste management over the next decade. Environmental infrastructure demands such as water treatment processors, wastewater treatment systems, solid waste and medical waste treatment disposal facilities, and air pollution monitoring stations are considered major concerns in the fiscal budgets of the governmental sector. Top-end Thai and international manufacturers attempting to meet international environmental and production standards remain important end-users for U.S. environmental equipment and services.
Thailand's total environmental market size is approximately US$140-200 million as of 2003. Over the next year, the potential for the environmental technologies market will continue to increase, since regulatory enforcement will be heavily implemented by the Royal Thai Pollution Control Department. The environmental policies promoted by the Thai government emphasize the rehabilitation of natural resources and the environment by strengthening environmental management, and increasing local and community participation.
Vietnam faces a variety of environmental challenges, along with the industrialization and urbanization process, due to poor water quality, degraded infrastructure, and an ongoing urban population boom. Vietnam's pollution "hot spots" include air, water, solid waste, and noise pollution. The total market for pollution control equipment and services is estimated to be US$450 million for 2003. Overseas Development Assistance (ODA)-financed projects represent the largest market for environmental technology, equipment, and services. Local production and technology cannot meet the demand of the market, especially the requirements of ODA projects. Vietnam has to import nearly all of the key equipment needed for water supply, water and wastewater treatment, and pollution control. Among imports, U.S. products and technologies are highly regarded for their quality. Vietnam's environmental market presents great opportunities for U.S. companies.
Mission Goals:
The Trade Mission's goal is to gain first-hand market information and provide access to key government officials and potential business partners for new-to-market and/or new-to export U.S. environmental firms desiring to enter these Asian markets.
Mission Scenario:
The trade mission will start in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with two days of business meetings, Monday and Tuesday, and a travel day, free of appointments, on Wednesday to Bangkok, Thailand, for two days of business meetings on Thursday and Friday. The participants will travel over the weekend to their last stop, Hanoi, Vietnam, for meetings on Monday and Tuesday. At each stop the U.S. Commercial Service will provide an extensive market briefing highlighting opportunities in the environmental sectors, schedule one-on-one appointments with potential business partners for each participant, and arrange hospitality events to introduce participants to key business and industry officials.
Tentative Timetable:
Sunday, March 28 Arrive in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Monday, March 29 Briefing, Business Meetings Tuesday, March 30 Business Meetings Wednesday, March 31 Travel to Bangkok, Thailand Thursday, April l Briefing, Business Meetings Friday, April 2 Business Meetings Sat & Sun, April 3-4 Travel to Hanoi, Vietnam Monday, April 5 Briefing, Business Meetings Tuesday, April 6 Business Meetings
Conclusion
Criteria for Participation:
- Relevance of the company's business line to mission goals
- Potential for business in the selected markets
- Timeliness 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 meets Departmental guidelines for participation. A company's products or services must be either produced in the United States, or, if not, marketed under the name of a U.S. firm and have at least 51 percent U.S. content of the value of the finished product or service.
Any partisan political activities of an applicant, including political contributions, will be entirely irrelevant to the selection process.
The mission will be promoted through the following venues: U.S. Export Assistance Centers and ITA Teams; Federal Register; relevant trade publications; relevant trade associations; outreach to past Commerce trade mission participants; outreach to contacts on various in-house and purchased industry lists; and postings on the Commerce Department trade missions calendar www.ita.doc.gov/doctm/tmcal.html and other Internet websites.
Recruitment will begin on or about October 14, 2003 and will close February 6, 2004, approximately seven weeks prior to the start of the mission. The mission will target 8-10 companies. The participation fee for the event will be $2,950 per company. The participation fee does not include travel and lodging costs. Applications received after the closing date will be considered only if the target number of 10 companies has not been reached and scheduling constraints permit.
Contact Information:
Yvonne Jackson, Project Manager
Export Promotion Services
U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2119
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-2675
Fax: (202) 482-2718
E-mail: yvonne.jackson@mail.doc.govWake Margo, Project Manager
Export Promotion Services
U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2119
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-2026
Fax: (202) 482-0973
E-mail: wake.margo@mail.doc.gov