FirstEnergy Leads Trade Mission to Santiago, Chile; Buenos Aires, Argentina; and Sao Paulo, Brazil- December 2-8, 2007

FirstEnergy’s Economic Development Department and the U.S. Commercial Service would like to cordially invite you to participate in a unique opportunity to grow your sales and profits by participating in a FirstEnergy trade mission to Chile, Argentina, and Brazil.

The U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce will host FirstEnergy’s Trade Mission to Chile, Argentina, and Brazil, a multi-sector trade event. This event is designed to provide U.S. small-to-medium sized export ready clients of FirstEnergy located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey with an efficient, cost-effective opportunity to enter or expand sales in the Chilean, Argentinean, or Brazilian markets, and to establish profitable commercial relations with prospective agents, distributors, end-users, or joint venture/ licensing partners.

Each FirstEnergy participating company is offered a program of individual business appointments with pre-qualified perspective partners, and extensive market exposure in Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. FirstEnergy’s participating companies also benefit from a full-range of business facilitation services provided by the U.S. Commercial Service, preliminary market assessments, personalized counseling by local U.S. Commercial Service representatives in the three states, market research, business briefings, networking events in country, logistical assistance, and post-mission support.

• Chile- Chile is a promising market for a wide range of U.S. goods and services. The symbolic importance of the Chile-USA Free Trade Agreement (FTA) far outweighs the economic size of Chile. As one of the most dynamic and promising markets in the region, Chile holds a commercial influence in South America due to the energy and professionalism of its entrepreneurs, the transparency of its regulation and the predictability of its decision makers. While the U.S.-Chile FTA Agreement does involve elimination of tariffs for US products to Chile, non-tariff provisions may have an even greater impact by further strengthening an already open business climate between the two countries. Specific obligations in areas such as intellectual property, services, investment, temporary entry of businesspersons, and telecommunications may serve as a model for future trade agreements.

• Argentina- The United States is Argentina’s second largest trading partner after Brazil and competes with Spain for the top investment spot. As one of the world’s leading producers of agricultural commodities, Argentina will continue to offer opportunities for U.S. suppliers of parts for agricultural machinery and specialty equipment for selected crops. Argentina has maintained a strong primary fiscal surplus and continues to accumulate foreign exchange reserves.

• Brazil- The United States is Brazil’s single largest trading partner. With a gross domestic product of approximately $700 billion, Brazil represents roughly half of the South American territory and economy. Brazil has a diversified industrial sector with many opportunities for both large and small U.S. businesses. The country is rich in agricultural, mineral, and industrial resources and offers substantial market opportunities for U.S. exporters in a diverse array of sectors that support Brazil’s drive to industrialize further, court energy and transportation investment, and cultivate export-led growth.

Leading industries for Chile, Argentina, and Brazil:

Plastics, Machinery/Materials/Resins, Computer Hardware/Software, Mining Equipment, Oil and Gas Field Machinery, Security and Safety Equipment, Steel/Metal Fabrication, Petroleum Extraction and Refining, Healthcare/Medical Equipment, Pharmaceuticals, Airport Handling Equipment, Construction Equipment, Innovative Building Materials, Electric Power Equipment, Food Processing/Packaging Equipment, Franchising, Pollution Control/Water Treatment, Travel and Tourism, Telecommunications, Agricultural Equipment

Participation Fee:

FirstEnergy will help offset the cost of participating in this event. Space is limited for the mission, so we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible. Let us hear from you today by ‘registering your interest’ in this excellent opportunity to grow your business. Just click on the form below and complete it, then send the form and a trade representative will be in touch with you to discuss the mission.