[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24884-24885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11493]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-362]
U.S.-Africa Trade Flows and Effects of the Uruguay Round
Agreements and U.S. Trade and Development Policy
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for written
submissions.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 27, 1995.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on March 31, 1995, of a request from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-362, U.S.-Africa Trade Flows and Effects of the
Uruguay Round Agreements and U.S. Trade and Development Policy. The
USTR letter also requested that the Commission prepare its first annual
report under this investigation not later than November 15, 1995, and
provide an update of the report annually thereafter for a period of 4
years.
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Jabara, Office of Industries (202-
205-3309) or Jean Harman, Office of Industries (292-205-3313), or
William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091) for
information on legal aspects. The media should contact Margaret
O'Laughlin, Office of Public Affairs (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810).
Background: The USTR, in his letter dated March 30, 1995, requested
that the Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g), conduct an investigation to provide the
President a report containing the following:
1. A profile of the structure of U.S.-Africa trade flows over the
1990-94 period in the following major sectors: agriculture, forest
products, textiles and apparel, energy, chemicals, minerals and metals,
machinery and equipment, electronics technology, miscellaneous
manufactures and services;
2. A summary of U.S. Government trade and development programs
(e.g., investments, trade finance, trade facilitation, trade promotion,
foreign development assistance, etc.) in Africa, including dollar
amounts on an annual basis, during the 1990-94 period;
3. A summary of the literature and private sector views relevant to
assessing the impact of the Uruguay Round Agreements on developing
countries and Africa in particular; and
4. An assessment of any effects of the Uruguay Round Agreements,
and of U.S. trade and development policy for Africa, on U.S.-Africa
trade flows.
As requested by the USTR, the Commission will limit its study to
the following countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana,
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic,
Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea,
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya,
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe,
Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan,
Swaziland, Togo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The USTR letter notes that section 134 of the Uruguay Round
Agreements Act (URAA), P.L. 103-465, directs the President to develop a
comprehensive trade and development policy for the countries of Africa.
The President is also to report to the Congress annually over the next
5 years on the steps taken to carry out that mandate. The Statement of
Administrative Action that was approved by the Congress with the URAA
states that the President will direct the International Trade
Commission to submit within 12 months following enactment of the URAA
into law, and annually for the 4 years thereafter, a report providing
(1) an analysis of U.S.-Africa trade flows, and (2) an assessment of
any effects of the Uruguay Round Agreements, and of U.S. trade and
development policy for Africa, on such trade flows.
The USTR letter states that as part of its trade and development
policy for Africa, the Administration will be examining all measures
that will foster economic development in Africa through increased trade
and sustained economic reforms. The USTR asks the Commission in its
report to provide, to the extent practicable, any readily available
information on the role of regional integration in Africa's trade and
development and on Africa's progress in implementing economic reforms.
Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the
investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade
[[Page 24885]] Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC,
beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 25, 1995. All persons shall have the
right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present information and to
be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with
the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., July 13,
1995. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed
not later than 5:15 p.m., July 13, 1995; the deadline for filing post-
hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 1, 1995.
In the event that, as of the close of business on July 13, 1995, no
witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be
cancelled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission
(202-205-2000) after July 13, 1995, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in
the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written
statements concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in
its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial information
that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must
be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of
Sec. 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR
201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business
information, will be made available in the Office of the Secretary of
persons in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured
of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the
Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date
and should be received no later than August 1, 1995. All submissions
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the
Secretary at 202-205-2000.
Issued: May 5, 1995.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-11493 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P