Mission Description:

U. S. Department of Commerce's Commercial Service Trade Mission Program will lead an Environmental Technologies Trade Mission to Milan, Italy, March 5-8, 2003. In addition to receiving a personalized schedule of one-on-one appointments, mission members will participate in TAU EXPO, one of the largest European environmental technology shows. This event will target all sectors of the air pollution, water/wastewater treatment, waste management, waste recycling and contaminated soil remediation industries and will focus on helping those industries expand in the European market. Held biannually, in 2001 the show attracted more than 500 exhibitors and 30,000 visitors.

Commercial Setting:

With EU directives aimed at eliminating waste and cleaning up pollution, the Italian government has recognized its problems and begun to instigate changes both at the structural level and through individual projects.

In 2002 the Italian market for environmental technologies is projected to reach $4.6 billion. The market is expected to grow at a rate of 4-6 percent over the next few years. Italy is very dependent on foreign know how and U.S. expertise is highly regarded. The U.S. holds approximately 40 percent of the Italian import market.

Of particular concern to the country are the areas of waste-to-energy, renewable energy, air pollution, water/wastewater treatment, waste management and contaminated soil remediation. Air pollution is posing increasing health risks to the population, and is also causing damage to some of the historic and artistic sites. Thirty percent of sewage is not treated before discharge and only thirty-nine percent of the population has access to adequate sewage treatment. Plans to increase water charges to consumers by 50 percent will cover the estimated USD $18-47 billion price tag of bringing Italy's sewage system up to international standards. Additionally, the shortage of landfills is forcing authorities to consider plans for waste minimization and recycling.

Mission Scenario:

The Trade Mission will participate in the U.S. Pavilion at TAU EXPO. In addition to an individual schedule of one-on-one appointments arranged by the U.S. Commercial Service in Milan, each participant will have a booth on the show floor. Also, the U.S. Commercial Service will provide participants with an extensive market briefing, highlighting opportunities in the environmental technology sector, and will arrange a reception to introduce the participants to key business people in the industry.

Timetable:

Mission participants will arrive in Milan on March 4, 2003. From March 5-8, 2003, they will participate in TAU EXPO, located on the Milan Fairgrounds. The mission will conclude on the evening of March 8.

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.

Recruitment will begin immediately, and will close on January 24, 2003, approximately seven weeks prior to the start of the mission. The Trade Mission will target 15 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 $2,500 per company.

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

Contact Information:

Yvonne Jackson, Project Manager
Commercial Service Trade Mission Program
U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2119
Washington, D.C. 20230
Tel: (202) 482-4756/Fax: (202) 482-2718
Email: yvonne.jackson@mail@.doc.gov
Website: http://www.usatrade.gov/matchmaker