China Law Blog

US Commerce Secretary Gary Locke will be leading a clean energy business development mission to China from May 15 to May 21 (h/t AmCham China News). According to the Department of Commerce's website regarding this trip, the cost will be as follows:

After a company has been selected to participate on the mission, a payment to the Department of Commerce in the form of a participation fee is required.

Large Companies Principal Participant fee: $10,000.00

Small & Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) Principal Participant fee: $8,500.00

Additional firm representative (both Large companies & SMEs): $3,300.00

Expenses for travel, lodging, most meals, and incidentals will be the responsibility of each mission participant.

You have until February 26, 2010, to apply for the trip. Click here for more information.

Participation in the China portion of the trip is not dependent on participation in the Indonesia portion.

The Department of Commerce sees China greentech as a great opportunity for US businesses:

China represents a great opportunity for U.S. companies in the sectors of clean energy, energy efficiency, electric energy storage, and distribution and transmission.

In response to rapid economic growth and an increasing demand for energy, the central government has made clean energy and energy efficiency strategic priorities.
The 11th Five-Year Plan (2005-2010), has set targets to reduce energy intensity per unit of GDP by 20% as well as reduce emissions for major pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxides, by 10%.
This focus on renewable energy, energy efficiency and improved electricity infrastructure creates tremendous opportunities for U.S. companies.
U.S. companies have the chance to launch or increase their current sales in China by joining Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke as he leads a delegation of U.S. businesses on the China Energy Business Development Mission May 15-21, 2010.

The purpose of this mission is to promote US companies:

This Mission is designed to promote U.S. companies with clear potential in the clean energy, energy efficiency, and electric energy storage and transmission and distribution sectors. Mission participants will benefit from customized on-site services and opportunities, including:

-- Individual company pre-screened business appointments with potential buyers, agents/distributors and partners;
-- Latest information on market access and business opportunities; and
-- Opportunities to meet with senior government officials and industry decision-makers.

According to the Commerce Department, this mission makes sense for "U.S. companies with clear potential for business in energy-related markets in China," including the following:

-- U.S. companies already doing business in China as well as experienced exporters seeking to entry to the Chinese market; -- U.S. companies involved in major project procurement in China; -- U.S. companies interested in addressing obstacles to trade in these markets, including transparency, rule of law, financial reform and intellectual property rights protection.

Clients and others I know who have gone on trips like these tend to be evenly divided between those who swear by them and those who view them as a waste of time. I am not sure if this division is due more to the quality of trip itself or to the fit between the company and the trip.

Would love to hear from anyone who has been on a US government sponsored trade mission. What do you think?