[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 43 (Friday, March 5, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10621-10622]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5507]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S.-China Housing Initiative

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity to apply to serve on the U.S.-China 
Residential Building Council.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S.-China Housing Initiative was designed to facilitate a 
U.S. opportunity to meet emerging Chinese housing market demands. To 
guide and support the U.S.-China Housing Initiative, President Clinton 
announced the formation of the U.S.-China Residential Building Council 
during the U.S. China Presidential Summit in June of last year. Since 
that announcement, U.S. and Chinese officials have agreed on a 
structure for the Council and on the mutually beneficial areas of 
cooperation. The Departments of Commerce and Housing and Urban 
Development are seeking individuals who would like to serve on the 
U.S.-China Residential Building Council. Applicants may represent 
associations or non-governmental organizations prominent in the housing 
industry, or U.S. companies who are interested in the expansion of U.S. 
housing-related commercial interests in China. The Council will be made 
up of U.S. and Chinese representatives from the construction and 
housing policy sectors. Individual Council members will generally 
concentrate their efforts on one of the two sectors. The work of the 
Council will focus on activities which will assist China in developing 
a residential housing industry, residential construction and 
rehabilitation, and a housing finance system. The Council will be led 
by a Steering Committee with Secretary of Commerce William Daley and 
Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Andrew 
Cuomo, as the co-chairs. China's Minister of Construction, Yu 
Zhengsheng, will represent China.

DATES: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be 
received no later than May 7, 1999.


[[Page 10622]]


ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to U.S.-China 
Residential Building Council, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4039, 
14th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. You may fax 
your request to (202) 482-0382.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Robert Reiley, Director, Office of 
Metals Materials, and Chemicals, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 
4039, 14th and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20230, (202) 
482-0575 telephone, (202) 482-0382 fax.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members will serve on the Council for a two-
year term at the discretion of the Secretaries. Members are expected to 
participate fully in defining the agenda for the Initiative and in 
implementing its work programs. It is expected that individuals chosen 
for the Council will attend at least 75 percent of Council meetings 
which will be held in the United States and China.
    Members are fully responsible for travel, accommodation, and 
personal expenses associated with their participation in the 
Residential Building Council. The members will serve in a 
representative capacity presenting the views and interests of the 
particular business or housing sector in which they operate.
    The U.S.-China Residential Building Council encourages the 
development of a housing industry in China and increased bilateral 
trade and investment including, but not limited to, the following:
     Implementing trade/business development and promotion 
programs including trade missions, technical assistance, conferences, 
exhibits, seminars and other events; and
     Adopting sectoral or project oriented approaches to 
support China's residential housing reform efforts.
     Implementing housing finance, planning, design, and 
building technology seminars and technical exchange to support reform 
efforts.

Selection

    There are twelve available positions on the U.S. side of the 
Residential Business Council. This notice is seeking individuals to 
fill all twelve positions. The number of Council positions may be 
expanded, should the need arise.
    Eligibility requirements. Applicants must:
     Be a U.S. citizen residing in the United States or a 
permanent United States resident;
     Be a CEO or other senior management employee of a U.S. 
company or association involved in the residential housing 
construction, supply, finance, or community planning sectors;
     Not be a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act of 1938.
    In reviewing eligible applicants, the Commerce Department, in 
consultation with HUD, will consider:
     The applicant's expertise in either construction building 
materials or housing policy and development;
     Readiness to initiate and be responsible for the 
activities the Council proposes to take on;
     An ability to contribute in light of overall Council 
composition;
     Diversity of company size, type, location, and 
demographics.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name 
and title of the individual requesting consideration; name and address 
of the company or association that the individual will represent; the 
specific product or service line; size of the company; and export 
expertise and major markets. Please also provide a brief statement on 
why each candidate should be considered for membership on the Council; 
the particular segment of the business community each candidate would 
represent; a personal resume; and a statement that the applicant is not 
a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512.

    Dated: February 23, 1999.
Robert Reiley,
Director, Office of Metals, Materials and Chemicals.
[FR Doc. 99-5507 Filed 3-4-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P