[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 46069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23155]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-397]


Database on Trade and Investment in Services

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: August 24, 1998.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request dated July 21, 1998, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-397, Database on Trade and Investment in 
Services, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this 
investigation may be obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of 
Industries (202-205-3438) or Ms. Tsedale Assefa, Office of Industries 
(202-205-2374). For information on the legal aspects of this 
investigation, contact Mr. William Gearhart of the 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). General 
information concerning the Commission may be obtained by accessing its 
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).

BACKGROUND: As noted in the USTR's request, Article 19 of the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) requires World Trade Organization 
(WTO) members to enter into successive negotiations beginning not later 
than January 1, 2000, with a view to achieving progressively higher 
levels of liberalization in services trade and investment. In preparing 
for such negotiations, the USTR has asked the Commission to develop a 
database that provides up-to-date information on service markets in 
other WTO member countries. As requested by the USTR, the Commission, 
pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, instituted an 
investigation for the purpose of developing a database of information 
on trade and investment in 62 foreign service markets. The Commission 
will develop a database that provides, to the extent possible, the 
following information with respect to eleven service industries:
    (1) Current market access and national treatment restrictions that 
apply to foreign service providers;
    (2) Liberalization and deregulation that has taken place since 
1995;
    (3) Contemplated services liberalization or deregulation; and
    (4) Preferences extended to third-country trading partners.
    The industries of interest to USTR include distribution services 
(defined as wholesaling, retailing, and franchising), telecommunication 
services, express delivery services, entertainment technology services, 
foreign legal consultancy services, accounting services, architectural 
services, engineering services, construction services, energy services 
(defined as mining, oil, gas, and electricity), and environmental 
services. The Commission will also seek to provide this information 
with respect to temporary entry and stay of service providers. In 
addition, the Commission will attempt to identify common approaches, if 
any, to the deregulation and liberalization of service markets among 
WTO members, and best prospects for services trade liberalization 
during the impending WTO negotiations.
    The USTR requested that the Commission provide a preliminary 
version of the database no later than October 30, 1998, and the 
finalized database by April 30, 1999. USTR indicated that the database 
will be confidential for a period of 10 years. USTR also noted that it 
considers the Commission's database to be an interagency memorandum 
that will contain predecisional advice and be subject to the 
deliberative process privilege.

    Issued: August 24, 1998.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-23155 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P