[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 39539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-19399]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-237]


Production Sharing: Use of U.S. Components and Materials in 
Foreign Assembly Operations, 1993-96 (U.S. Imports Under Production-
Sharing Provisions of Harmonized Tariff Schedule Heading 9802)

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 17, 1997.

ACTION: Opportunity to submit written statements in connection with the 
report which covers developments in 1996.

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SUMMARY: The Commission has prepared and published annual reports on 
production sharing under this series since 1986. The Commission plans 
to publish the next report in December 1997, which will cover U.S. 
import data on production sharing for 1993-96.
    Alternative collection methods for production-sharing trade data 
are being considered by various government entities to improve this 
statistical review, as noted in the recently published report. Comments 
and suggestions regarding this issue are welcome in written submissions 
as specified below. The latest report for the period 1992-1995 (USITC 
Publication 3032, April 1997) may be obtained from the ITC's Internet 
server (http://www.usitc.gov or ftp://ftp.usitc.gov). A printed report 
may be requested by contacting the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-
2000, or by fax at 202-205-2104.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the production-sharing 
report may be directed to Ralph J. Watkins, Office of Industries (202-
205-3492). For information on legal aspects, please contact Mr. William 
W. Gearhart, Office of General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should 
contact Ms. Margaret O'Laughlin, Public Affairs Officer (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 initial notice of institution of this investigation 
was published in the Federal Register of September 4, 1986 (51 F.R. 
31729). The report has been published in the current series under 
investigation No. 332-237 annually since December 1986. The report, 
originally entitled ``Imports Under Items 806.30 and 807.00 of the 
Tariff Schedules of the United States, 1982-85,'' has undergone a 
number of changes in the title to reflect the adoption of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) and modifications to the applicable 
provisions of that schedule.
    As in past years, the report will provide an analysis of 
developments in U.S. imports under the production-sharing provisions of 
the HTS, focusing on shifts in trade and product mix as well as trends 
by principal country sources and industry groups. The report will also 
assess U.S. production generated as a result of foreign assembly, the 
use of production sharing by foreign manufacturers, the effect of the 
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) on U.S. parts producers, 
and developments in the global integration of specific industries. The 
report will also contain a special section on the use of maquiladoras 
in Mexico by Canadian companies and their relationship with parts 
producers in the United States.
    Written Submissions: No public hearing is planned. However 
interested persons are invited to submit written comments on 
developments in production-sharing trade. Commercial or financial 
information that a submitter desires the Commission to treat as 
confidential must be provided 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 
persons. 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 September 2, 1997. 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.
    List of Subjects: Production sharing, foreign assembly, 
infrastructure, globalization, apparel, NAFTA.

    Issued: July 18, 1997
    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-19399 Filed 7-22-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P