[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 239 (Wednesday, December 11, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 65235-65236]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31454]


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UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-374]


General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the 
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Asia/Pacific Trading Partners

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 26, 1996.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on November 13, 1996, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
instituted Investigation No. 332-374, General Agreement on Trade in 
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by 
Asia/Pacific Trading Partners, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act 
of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: ormation on service industries may be 
obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of Industries (202-205-3438) 
and Mr. Christopher Melly, Office of Industries (202-205-3461); 
economic aspects, from Mr. William Donnelly, Office of Economics (202-
205-3223); and legal aspects, from Mr. William Gearhart, Office of the 
General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (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: As requested by the USTR in a letter dated November 12, 
1996, the Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 
1930, has instituted an investigation and will prepare a report that 
(1) examines the content of schedules of commitments under the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) for the countries specified 
below, explaining the commitments in non-technical language; and (2) 
seeks to identify the potential benefits and limitations of foreign 
commitments. The Commission will examine sector-specific commitments 
scheduled by Australia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, 
New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, with respect to 
the following industries:

     Distribution services (defined as wholesaling, retailing, 
and franchising services);
     Education services;
     Communication services (defined as enhanced 
telecommunication, courier, and audiovisual services);
     Health care services;
     Professional services (defined as accounting, advertising, 
and legal services);
     Architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) 
services;
     Land-based transport services (defined as rail and 
trucking services); and
     Travel and tourism services.
    In addition, the Commission will examine horizontal commitments 
relevant to the specified industries, such as those regarding 
investment and temporary entry and stay of foreign workers. As 
requested by the USTR, the Commission plans to deliver its report to 
the USTR by August 15, 1997. The investigation follows Commission 
Investigation No. 332-367, General Agreement on Trade in Services: 
Examination of South American Trading Partners' Schedules of 
Commitments, requested by the USTR on April 9, 1996, and Commission 
Investigation No. 332-358, General Agreement on Trade in Services: 
Examination of Major Trading Partners' Schedules of Commitments, 
requested by the USTR on December 28, 1994. In those reports, the 
Commission examined the commitments scheduled by selected trading 
partners with respect to the industries delineated above. The results 
of Investigation No. 332-367 will be published in December 1996. The 
results of Investigation No. 332-358 were published in December 1995 in 
USITC Publication 2940. This publication is available on the ITC 
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov or ftp://ftp.usitc.gov).
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the 
investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade Commission 
Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on 
March 27, 1997. 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, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, 
no later than 5:15 p.m., March 13, 1997. Any prehearing briefs 
(original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., 
March 13, 1997. The deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or 
statements is 5:15 p.m., April 10, 1997. In the event that, as of the 
close of business on March 13, 1997, no witnesses are scheduled to 
appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any person 
interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non- participant 
may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1816) after March 13, 
1997, 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

[[Page 65236]]

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 section 201.6 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 C.F.R. 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than the close of business on April 10, 
1997. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, U.S. 
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: December 2, 1996.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-31454 Filed 12-10-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P