[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 70 (Monday, April 13, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17984-17985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-9633]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program 
Applications and Questionnaires

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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th Street & 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 instruments and instructions 
should be directed to: Tracy M. Rollins, SABIT, Room 3319, Department 
of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20230; phone (202) 482-0073, fax (202) 482-2443.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) programs 
of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration 
(ITA), is a key element in the U.S. Government's efforts to support the 
economic transition of the Newly Independent States (NIS) of the former 
Soviet Union. SABIT places business executives and scientists from the 
Independent States in U.S. firms for one-to-six month internships to 
gain firsthand experiences working in a market economy. This unique 
private sector-U.S. Government partnership was created in order to tap 
the U.S. private sector's expertise in assisting the NIS's transition 
to a market economy while boosting U.S.-NIS long-term trade.
    Under the ``regular'' (grants) SABIT program, qualified U.S. firms 
will receive funds through a cooperative agreement with ITA to help 
defray the cost of hosting interns. The information collected by the 
Application is needed by the SABIT staff to recruit and screen 
respondents and provide U.S. firms with a pool of eligible candidates 
from which to select interns. Intern applications are required to 
determine the suitability of candidates for SABIT internships. Feedback 
surveys and end-of-internship reports are needed to enable SABIT to 
track the success of the program as regards trade between the U.S. and 
NIS, as well as to improve the content and administration of the 
programs.
    The closing date for applications and supplemental materials is 
approximately 120 days after date of publication in the Federal 
Register. Pursuant to section 632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 
1961, as amended (the ``Act'') funding for the program will be provided 
by the Agency for International Development (A.I.D.).

II. Method of Collection

    The applications are sent to U.S. companies and intern candidates 
via facsimile or mail upon request. Feedback surveys are given to 
participating U.S. companies and interns at the completion of the 
programs.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0225.
    Form Number: N/A.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other non-profit, individuals (non-
U.S. citizens).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,600.
    Estimated Time per Response: 1.8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,875.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $89,000.00.

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.


[[Page 17985]]


    Dated: April 7, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-9633 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P