[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 200 (Thursday, October 16, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53799-53800]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-27489]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-385]


General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the 
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Trading Partners of Eastern 
Europe, the European Free Trade Area, and Turkey

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: October 6, 1997.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on September 19, 1997, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
instituted investigation No. 332-385, General Agreement on Trade in 
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by 
Trading Partners of Eastern Europe, the European Free Trade Area, and 
Turkey, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on service industries may be 
obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of Industries (202-205-3438) 
and Mr. Scott Ki, Office of Industries (202-205-2160); 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 September 19, 
1997, 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

[[Page 53800]]

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 Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Iceland, 
Liechtenstein, Norway, Poland, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia, 
Switzerland, and Turkey, 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 September 18, 1998.
    The investigation follows Commission investigation No. 332-374, 
General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the Schedule of 
Commitments Submitted by Asia Pacific Trading Partners, requested by 
the USTR on November 13, 1996; 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. 332-374 were published in August 1997 in 
USITC Publication 3053. The results of investigation No. 332-367 were 
published in December 1996 in USITC Publication 3007. The results of 
investigation No. 332-358 were published in December 1995 in USITC 
Publication 2940. These publications are 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 April 8, 1998. 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, United States International 
Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 
5:15 p.m., March 25, 1998. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 
copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., March 25, 1998. The 
deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., 
April 22, 1998. In the event that, as of the close of business on March 
25, 1998, 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 25, 1998, 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 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 Sec. 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 22, 1998. 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.

    Issued: October 7, 1997.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-27489 Filed 10-15-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P