[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 171 (Thursday, September 4, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 46714]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-23410]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States 
(BISNIS) Finance Link

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 3, 
1997.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Phone 
number (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Trevor Gunn, BISNIS, Room 7413, Department of Commerce, 
14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; phone (202) 482-
4655, fax (202) 482-2293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The International Trade Administration's Business Information 
Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) offers business 
information and counseling to U.S. companies seeking to export or 
invest in the countries of the former Soviet Union. One of the 
essential components of BISNIS' services is assisting companies in 
locating suitable financing for exports. Often, official sources, such 
as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, cannot handle all 
requests for a variety of reasons. The proposed BISNIS Finance Link 
collection of information is an internet-based service to facilitate 
contact between exporters and financing agencies. Exporters fill out a 
form giving relevant details about their company and desired 
transaction. The form is then submitted via Internet's World Wide Web 
to BISNIS. If complete, BISNIS will, in turn, distribute the 
information collected to potential financing agencies. The intention is 
to provide a service that benefits both exporters and financing 
agencies.

II. Method of Collection

    The request is sent via internet to Department of Commerce, BISNIS 
Information Service for the Newly Independent States, Trade Finance 
Specialist.

III. Data

    OMB Number: N/A.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 33 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1155--no capital costs are required.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 26, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-23410 Filed 9-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P