[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64036-64037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30777]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    DOC has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for 
clearance the following proposal for collection of information under 
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13.
    Bureau: International Trade Administration.
    Title: Internet Export Finance Matchmaker.
    OMB Number: None.
    Type of Request: Regular Submission.
    Burden: 333 hours.
    Number of Respondents: 1700.
    Avg. Hours Per Response: Exporters, 10 minutes; Export Service 
Firms, 30 minutes.
    Needs and Uses: The Office of Finance assists U.S. firms in 
identifying trade finance opportunities and promotes the 
competitiveness of U.S. financial services in international trade. The 
Office of Finance interacts with private financial institutions in 
insurance, banking, leasing, factoring, barter, and counter trade; U.S. 
financing agencies, such as the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas 
Private Investment Corporation; and multilateral development banks, 
such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and others. To 
facilitate contact between exporters and financial institutions, the 
Office of Finance is developing an interactive Internet trade finance 
matchmaking program to link exporters seeking trade finance with banks 
and other financial institutions. The information collected from 
financial institutions regarding the trade finance products and 
services they offer will be compiled into a database. An exporter will 
be able to electronically submit a form identifying the potential 
export transaction and type of financing requested. This information 
will be electronically matched with the financial institution(s) that 
meet the requirements of the exporter. After a match has been made, a 
message will be electronically sent to both the exporter and the 
financial institution containing

[[Page 64037]]

the information about the match, and contact information for either 
party to initiate communication. This program is designed to implement 
the Department of Commerce's goal of improving access to trade 
financing for small business exporters.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit.
    Frequency: On Occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain a benefit; 
voluntary.
    OMB Desk Officer: David Rostker, (202) 395-7340.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-3272, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and 
Constitution, NW, Washington, DC 20230.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent to David Rostker, OMB Desk Officer, Room 
10202, New Executive Office Building, Washington, DC 20503 within 30 
days of the publication of this notice in the Federal Register.

    Dated: November 12, 1998.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 98-30777 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P