[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 24, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14265-14266]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-7186]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-352]


Andean Trade Preference Act: Effect on the U.S. Economy and on 
Andean Drug Crop Eradication

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Notice of opportunity to submit comments in connection with 
1998 annual report.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: March 17, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne Guth (202-205-3264), Country 
and Regional Analysis Division, Office of Economics, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436.

Background

    Section 206 of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) (19 U.S.C. 
3204) requires that the Commission submit annual reports to the 
Congress regarding the economic impact of the Act on U.S. industries 
and consumers and, in conjunction with other agencies, the 
effectiveness of the Act in promoting drug-related crop eradication and 
crop substitution efforts of the beneficiary countries. Section 206(b) 
of the Act requires that each report include:
    (1) The actual effect of ATPA on the U.S. economy generally as well 
as on specific domestic industries which produce articles that are 
like, or directly competitive with, articles being imported under the 
Act;
    (2) The probable future effect that ATPA will have on the U.S. 
economy generally and on domestic industries affected by the Act; and
    (3) The estimated effect that ATPA has had on drug-related crop 
eradication and crop substitution efforts of beneficiary countries.

In addition, in this year's report the Commission plans to examine the 
effectiveness of ATPA in promoting export-oriented growth and 
diversification of production in the beneficiary countries.
    Notice of institution of the investigation and the schedule for 
such reports was published in the Federal Register of March 10, 1994 
(59 FR 11308). The Commission's sixth annual report on ATPA, covering 
calendar year 1998, is to be submitted by September 30, 1999.

Written Submissions

    The Commission does not plan to hold a public hearing in connection 
with the preparation of the sixth annual report. However, interested 
persons are invited to submit written statements concerning the matters 
to be addressed in the report. Commercial or financial information that 
a party desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be 
submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked 
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions 
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of 
section 201 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 
201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured 
of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the 
Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than June 25, 1999. The Commission's 
rules do not authorize filing of submissions

[[Page 14266]]

with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
    Address all submissions to Office of the Secretary, U.S. 
International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW, Washington, DC 20436. 
Hearing-impaired persons are advised that information on this matter 
can be obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on (202) 
205-1810.

    Issued: March 17, 1999.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 99-7186 Filed 3-23-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P