[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 44 (Monday, March 8, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10991-10992]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-5567]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


United States-Turkey Business Development Council; Membership 
Opportunity

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce established a Business Development 
Council (BDC) in cooperation with the Turkish Government in 1996. The 
BDC has established eleven working groups: energy/environment, 
telecommunications, textiles, health, education, defense, finance, 
agriculture, tourism, transportation, and media. The Department of 
Commerce is currently seeking nominations of outstanding individuals to 
fill vacancies on the U.S. section of the BDC, including a CEO to fill 
the position of U.S. private sector Vice-Chair. The purpose of the BDC 
is to provide a forum through which U.S. and Turkish private sector 
representatives can engage in constructive exchanges of information on 
commercial matters, and in which governments can exchange information, 
solve problems, and work more effectively on issues of mutual concern.

DATES: In order to receive full consideration for BDC membership, 
requests must be received no later than Friday, April 2, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Mr. David De 
Falco, International Trade Specialist, Office of European Union and 
Regional Affairs, by fax on 202/482-2897 or by mail at Room 3043, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th St. & Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, 
D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David De Falco of the Office of 
European Union and Regional Affairs, Room 3043, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, 14th St. & Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20230; 
telephone: 202/482-2178.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Council is composed of two sections, the 
U.S. section and the Turkish section. The U.S. section is chaired by 
the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of 
Commerce and includes 23 members from the U.S. private sector.
    Private sector participants of the BDC will address issues relating 
to the following:

--Identifying commercial opportunities, impediments and issues of 
concern to the U.S. and Turkish business communities;

[[Page 10992]]

--Addressing obstacles to trade and investment between the United 
States and Turkey;
--Improving the dissemination of information on U.S.-Turkey market 
opportunities;
--Implementing trade/business development and promotion programs, 
including trade missions, exhibits, seminars, and other events; and
--Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development 
of commercial expansion and cooperation between the two countries.

    The inaugural meeting of the BDC was held in Ankara, Turkey in 
January 1998 with government and private sector members from both 
countries in attendance. Follow-up sessions were held in May 1998 in 
Istanbul, Turkey and November 1998 in Washington, D.C.
    Obligations: Private sector members are appointed for two-year 
terms and serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. Members 
serve in a representative capacity presenting the views and interests 
of the business sector in which they operate. They are not special 
government employees. Members are expected to participate fully in 
defining the agenda for the BDC and in implementing its work program. 
Members are responsible for travel, living and personal expenses 
associated with their participation, and may be responsible for a pro 
rata share of administrative and communications costs of the Council.
    Criteria: In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. 
section, potential candidates must be:

--U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents;
--CEOs or other senior management level employees of U.S. companies or 
organizations involved in trade with and/or investment in Turkey; and
--Not a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration 
Act of 1938, as amended (FARA).

    In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will 
consider such selection factors as:

--Depth of experience in the Turkish market;
--Export/investment experience;
--Industry or service sector represented;
--Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member 
companies;
--Contribution to diversity based on company size, location, 
demographics, and traditional under representation in business; and
--Stated commitment to actively participate in BDC activities and 
meetings.

    The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of 
outstanding individuals to fill vacancies on the U.S. section of the 
BDC. Of the new CEO members of the U.S. side selected pursuant to this 
notice, we intend to select a U.S. private sector Vice-Chair to 
coordinate the activities of the U.S. private sector. This individual 
will work directly with the Department of Commerce and with his Turkish 
private sector counterpart to organize private sector participation and 
follow-up of private sector recommendations. The U.S. Vice-Chair must 
be a Chief Executive Officer in addition to fulfilling the general 
membership criteria described above.
    To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name 
and title of individual proposed for consideration; name and address of 
organization or company sponsoring each individual; company or 
organization's product or service line; size of the company or, if an 
organization, the size and number of member companies; export/foreign 
investment experience; a brief statement (not more than two pages) of 
why each candidate should be considered for membership on the Council; 
the particular segment of business community each candidate would 
represent; and a personal resume.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1512; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979, 19 
U.S.C. 2171 note.

    Dated: March 2, 1999.
Patrick A. Mulloy,
Assistant Secretary, Market Access and Compliance, International Trade 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 99-5567 Filed 3-5-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P