[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 93 (Thursday, May 14, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 26769]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-12821]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Commercial News USA

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 burdens, 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 July 13, 1998.

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: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Jana Nelhybel, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service, 
Export Promotion Service, Room 2202, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230. Phone number: (202) 482-5367, and fax number 
(202) 482-5362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Commercial News USA (CNUSA), published twelve times a year by a 
private sector firm, is the U.S. Department of Commerce's export 
catalog-magazine. The product information in CNUSA reaches more than 
145,000 distributors, government officials, and potential buyers 
overseas through direct distribution from U.S. embassies and 
consulates. Firms use the form to request that their product 
information be published in CNUSA, a service for which the firms pay a 
minimum fee of $445.
    This information collection item allows the U.S. Department of 
Commerce to promote U.S. products and services available for export as 
part of the USDOC's trade promotion activities. CNUSA is a unique 
export promotion service for U.S. manufacturers, service firms, and 
publishers of trade and technical literature; nothing similar is 
available to them through the private sector. The product promotions in 
CNUSA differ from paid advertisements in that they must meet program 
criteria. Because U.S. embassies and consulates handle distribution, 
the product information reaches a vast, screened readership not only 
through direct dissemination but also via counseling by commercial 
officers and through walk-in visits to commercial libraries where CNUSA 
is displayed. Further, American Chambers of Commerce, local business 
editors, and other trade entities that reprint information from CNUSA 
or display or disseminate the entire magazine provide a multiplier 
effect.

II. Method of Data Collection

    The requests are sent to the private sector publisher.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0061.
    Form Number: ITA-4063P.
    Type of Review: Renewal; regular submission.
    Affected Public: Companies interested in placing their product 
information available for export in Commercial News USA.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 917.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $32,095.

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 costs) 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 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: May 8, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 98-12821 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P