BENELUX DEFENSE TRADE MISSION FOR U.S. DEFENSE FIRMS -- MAY 15-19, 2000 U.S. firms can enter a nine and a half billion dollar market by participating in the combined U.S. Embassies' "Benelux Defense Trade Mission", which will take place in The Netherlands, Belgium and optionally in Luxembourg, from May 15-19, 2000. Currently, the 1999 defense budget for Belgium is $2.8 billion, for The Netherlands it is $6.8 billion and for Luxembourg $40 million. Future acquisition and replacement of a large number of equipment is expected to drive up industry activity and government procurement over the next five-to ten years. Taking advantage of upcoming opportunities, the Commercial Service, with full support of the Office of Defense Cooperation, is organizing this Benelux Defense Trade Mission. U.S. defense suppliers, particularly small and medium size firms, can launch the new millennium by taking part in this hallmark event. The goal of this event is to increase U.S. industry awareness of upcoming projects and to promote and support U.S. exports to The Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg. Defense equipment with excellent potential includes: sensor equipment, inter-turbine components, software, communications equipment, simulation equipment, radar equipment, electronics and other high-technology and state-of the-art products. The event will consist of two-day programs in both The Hague and Brussels, with an optional one-day program in Luxembourg. At all three locations the program will commence with high-level industry and government speakers. Speakers from the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, the Dutch, Belgian and Luxembourg Ministries of Defense, NATO and local defense associations are expected to participate. The remainder of the program will consist of pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments for U.S. participants with prospective clients or partners. The fee for participation in the four-day Holland/Belgium trade mission is $2000, payable by check or credit card. The fee will includes defense market research for the Netherlands and Belgium, a four-day program, transportation in and between The Hague and Brussels and a number of representational events, The cost of the optional one-day Luxembourg program is $550 (including Brussels-Luxembourg return transportation) U.S. participants will be responsible for their own flights, hotel bill and expenses for extra meals, The deadline for registration is Wednesday, March 15, 2000. For details and questions, please contact: Jorge Arce U.S. Export Assistance Center 200 Las Olas Blvd Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 Tel: 954-356-6640, extension 19 Fax: 954-356-6644 e-mail: jorge.arce@mail.doc.gov Natasha Keylard U.S. Embassy/Commercial Service Unit 6707-Box 039 APO AE 09715 Tel: 011-31-70-3109279 Fax: 011-31-70-3632985 e-mail:natasha.keylard@mail.doc.gov Alain Cauwe U.S. Embassy/Commercial Service PSC 82-Box 002 APO AE 09710 Tel: 011-32-2-508-2496 Fax: 011-32-2-512-3644 e-mail: alain.cauwe@mail.doc.gov Posted 02/09/00 (W-SN423876).

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