[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 192 (Friday, October 3, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51831-51832]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-26317]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S.-Turkey Business Development Council: Membership

ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: As part of its Big Emerging Market Strategy for Turkey, the 
U.S. Department of Commerce is establishing a Business Development 
Council (BDC) in cooperation with the Turkish Government. This notice 
updates the Federal Register notice published November 22, 1996, (61 FR 
60261) previously announcing membership opportunities in the U.S.-
Turkey BDC. The U.S. Department of Commerce seeks nominations of 
outstanding individuals to serve on the U.S. section of the BDC as 
representatives of their particular industry sector. The purpose of the 
BDC will be to provide a forum through which U.S. and Turkish private 
sector representatives can engage in constructive exchanges of 
information on commercial matters, and in which governments can 
exchange information, solve problems, and more effectively work 
together on a number of issues of mutual concern including the 
following:

--Identifying commercial opportunities, impediments and issues of 
concern to the U.S. and Turkish business communities;
--Addressing obstacles to trade and investment;
--Improving the dissemination of information on U.S.-Turkey market 
opportunities;
--Developing sectoral or project-oriented approaches to expand business 
opportunities;
--Implementing trade/business development and promotion programs, 
including trade missions, exhibits, seminars, and other events; and
--Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development 
of commercial expansion and cooperation between the two countries.

    The inaugural meeting of the BDC is expected to take place in early 
1998 in Ankara, Turkey with government and private sector members from 
both countries in attendance.

Obligations

    It is anticipated that U.S. private sector members will be 
appointed for a two year term and will serve at the discretion of the 
U.S. Secretary of Commerce and as representatives of the U.S. business 
community. They are expected to participate fully in defining the 
agenda for the Council and in implementing its work program. They are 
fully responsible for travel, living and personal expenses associated 
with their participation on the Council, and may be responsible for a 
pro rata share of administrative and communications costs of the 
Council.

Criteria

    The Council will be composed of two sections, a U.S. section and a 
Turkish section. The U.S. Section will be chaired by the Under 
Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce, or 
designee, and will include approximately 20 members from the U.S. 
private sector.
    In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, 
potential candidates must be:

--U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents;
--CEOs or other senior management level employees of a U.S. company or 
organization involved in export with and/or investment in Turkey; and
--Not a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration 
Act of 1938, as amended (FARA).

    In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will 
consider such selection factors as:

--Depth of experience in the Turkish market;
--Export/investment experience;
--Industry or service sector represented;
--Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member 
companies;
--Contribution to diversity based on company size, location, 
demographics, and traditional underrepresentation in business; and
--Stated commitment to actively participate in BDC activities and 
meetings.

    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 sponsoring each individual; 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; a brief statement (not more 
than 2 pages) of why each candidate should be considered for membership 
on the Council; the particular segment of the business community each 
candidate would represent; and a personal resume.

DEADLINE: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be 
received no later than November 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Ms. Maria 
Dorsett, Turkey Desk Officer, Office of European Union and Regional 
Affairs, by fax on 202/482-2897 or by mail at Room 3036, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maria Dorsett of the Office of 
European Union and Regional Affairs, Room 3036, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: 202/482-6008.

    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.


[[Page 51832]]


    Dated: September 30, 1997.
Franklin J. Vargo,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 97-26317 Filed 10-2-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P