[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 103 (Tuesday, May 28, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 26498-26499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-13205]



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[[Page 26499]]

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee: Membership

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of 
outstanding individuals to serve on the U.S. section of the U.S.-South 
Africa Business Development Committee (BDC). On June 4, 1994, the late 
Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown and South African Minister of 
Trade and Industry Trevor Manuel signed the document establishing the 
BDC, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for the public and 
private sectors to engage in constructive exchanges of information on 
commercial matters, problem solve, and more effectively work together 
on issues of common interest. The BDC is composed of two sections, a 
U.S. section and a South African section. The U.S. Section is chaired 
by Secretary of Commerce Michael Kantor and is comprised of 21 private 
sector representatives. The inaugural meeting of the BDC took place 
September 19-20, 1994. Subsequent plenary and working group meetings 
have been held over the past two years with the government and private 
sector members from both countries in attendance.

Obligations

    Private sector members were originally appointed for a two year 
term which expires August 31, 1996. Nominations are now being sought 
for private sector members to serve for a two year period from 
September 1, 1996 until August 31, 1998. Private sector members will 
serve at the discretion of the Secretary and shall serve as 
representatives of the business community and the industry their 
business represents. They are expected to participate fully in defining 
the agenda for the Committee and in implementing its work program. It 
is expected that private sector individuals chosen for BDC membership 
will attend not less than 75% of the BDC meetings which will be held in 
the U.S. and South Africa.
    Private sector members are fully responsible for travel, living and 
personal expenses associated with their participation on the BDC and 
may be responsible for a pro rata share of administrative and 
communications costs of the BDC.
    The BDC will continue to work on issues of common interest to 
encourage trade and investment, including the following:

--Resolving obstacles to trade and investment between the two 
countries;
--Expanding commercial activity between both countries and identifying 
commercial opportunities;
--Developing sectoral or project-oriented approaches to expand business 
opportunities;
--Implementing trade and business development programs, including trade 
missions, seminars, exhibits and other events;
--Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development 
of commercial expansion between the two countries; and
--Taking any other appropriate steps for fostering commercial relations 
between the U.S. and South Africa.

Criteria

    In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, 
potential candidates must be:
    (1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
    (2) CEOs or other senior management level employees of a U.S. 
company or organization with demonstrated involvement in trade with 
and/or investment in South Africa who will participate in not less than 
75% of the BDC meetings, which will be held in the United States and 
South Africa. (The representative nominated should be the individual 
that will actively participate in the BDC);
    (3) Not a registered Foreign Agent; and
    (4) Actively doing business in South Africa or actively developing 
entry plans for doing business in South Africa.
    To the extent possible, the Department of Commerce will strive to 
achieve membership composition that reflects U.S. entrepreneurial 
diversity. Therefore, in reviewing eligible candidates, the Department 
of Commerce will consider such selection factors as:
    (1) Depth of experience in the South African market;
    (2) Export/investment experience;
    (3) Representation of industry or service sectors of importance to 
our commercial relationship with South Africa;
    (4) Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member 
companies;
    (5) Location of company or organization; and
    (6) Demographics.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name 
and title of individual proposed for consideration; name and address of 
the company or organization of which the individual is a 
representative; company's or organization's product or service line; 
size of the company or, if an organization, the size and number of 
member companies; export experience/foreign investment experience in 
major markets; a brief statement (not more than 1 page) of why each 
candidate should be considered for membership on the Committee; the 
particular segment of the business community the candidate would 
represent; and a personal resume.

Deadline

    In order to receive full consideration, requests must be received 
no later than June 15, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Mrs. S.K. 
Miller, Director, Office of Africa by fax on 202/482-5198 or by mail at 
Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. S.K. Miller, Director, Office of 
Africa, Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; 
telephone: 202/482-4227.

    Authority: Act of February 14, 1903, c. 552, as amended, 15 
U.S.C. 1501 et seq., 32 Stat. 825; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 
1979, 19 U.S.C. 2171 Note, 93 Stat. 1381.

    Dated: May 21, 1996.
Sally K. Miller,
Director, Office of Africa.
[FR Doc. 96-13205 Filed 5-24-96; 8:45 am]
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