[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1851-1852]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-461]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Commerce Advisory Committee on Africa: Membership

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of committee establishment and membership opportunity.

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SUMMARY: A committee comprised of U.S. businesses active in Sub-Saharan 
Africa is to be established to advise the Secretary on issues of U.S. 
commercial policy in Africa. This action is taken to ensure regular 
consultation with the U.S. business community and to reflect its views 
in the Clinton Administration's Africa Initiative. The Advisory 
Committee will meet quarterly, or more often as determined by the 
Secretary.

DATES: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be 
received no later than January 27, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Mrs. S. K. 
Miller, Director, Office of Africa by fax on 202/482-5198 or by mail at 
Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. S. K. Miller, Director, Office of 
Africa, Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; 
telephone: 202/482-4227.

Notice of Committee Establishment

    In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, and the General Services Administration (GSA) 
rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, 41 CFR Part 101-6, and, 
after consultation with GSA, the Secretary of Commerce has determined 
that the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Africa is in the 
public interest in connection with the performance of duties imposed on 
the Department by law.
    In furtherance of the President's Africa Initiative, the Committee 
will advise the Secretary, through the Under Secretary for 
International Trade, on

[[Page 1852]]

U.S. commercial policy on trade with Sub-Saharan Africa.
    The ACA will be composed of not more than 21 individuals 
representing companies, and will be chaired by Secretary of Commerce 
William M. Daley. To assure a balanced representation of interests, 
members will be selected based on the criteria set forth below, to 
obtain a balance in industry sectors, company size, location, gender 
and ethnic representation.
    The Committee will function solely as an advisory body, and in 
compliance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 
The Charter will be filed under the Act, fifteen days from the 
publication of this notice.
    The inaugural meeting of the ACA is expected to take place during 
the first quarter of the year 2000 Meetings will be scheduled quarterly 
throughout the year at the Department's headquarters. Additional 
meetings may be called as determined by the Secretary.

Notice of Opportunity to Apply for Membership

Membership Obligations

    Members will be expected to serve a term of two years. However, to 
set up a staggered membership renewal, one third of the private sector 
members from this initial appointment will serve for a two year term; a 
second third will serve for a three year term and a final third for a 
four year term. Each year, a third of the ACA membership will be 
replaced.
    Nominations are now being sought for private sector members to 
serve for a two, three, or four year period from January 1, 2000 until 
December 31, 2001-2004, respectively. Members will serve at the 
discretion of the Secretary and shall serve as representatives of the 
business community and, specifically, the industry in which their 
business is engaged. They are expected to participate fully in 
implementing the Committee's work program. It is expected that private 
sector individuals chosen for ACA membership will attend not less than 
75% of the ACA meetings each year.
    Private sector members are fully responsible for travel, per diem, 
and personal expenses associated with their participation on the ACA.
    The ACA will work on issues of common interest to encourage trade 
and investment, including the following:
--Resolving obstacles to trade and investment between the United States 
and Africa;
--Expanding commercial activity between the United States and Africa 
and identifying commercial opportunities;
--Developing sectoral or project-oriented approaches to expand business 
opportunities;
--Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development 
of commercial expansion between the United States and Africa; and
--Taking any other appropriate steps for fostering commercial relations 
between the U.S. and Africa.

Criteria

    In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, 
potential candidates must be:
    (1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents;
    (2) CEOs or other senior management level employees of a U.S. 
company or organization with demonstrated involvement in trade with 
and/or investment in Sub-Saharan Africa who will participate in not 
less than 75% of the meetings, which will be held in the United States. 
Representative nominated should be the individual who will actively 
participate in the ACA);
    (3) Not a Registered Foreign Agent; and
    (4) Actively doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa or actively 
developing entry plans for doing business in Sub-Saharan Africa.
    To the extent possible, the Department of Commerce will strive to 
achieve membership composition that reflects U.S. entrepreneurial 
diversity. Therefore, in reviewing eligible candidates, the Department 
of Commerce will consider such selection factors as:
    (1) Depth of experience in the Sub-Saharan African market;
    (2) Export/investment experience;
    (3) Representation of industry or service sectors of importance to 
our commercial relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa;
    (4) Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member 
companies;
    (5) Location of company or organization; and
    (6) Contribution to the Committee's ethnic and gender diversity.
    To apply for membership, please provide a company information sheet 
and a personal resume and any other pertinent information which 
demonstrate how the applicant satisfies the selection criteria 
identified.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 
1979, 19 U.S.C. 2171 Note, 5 U.S.C. App. 2.
Sally Miller,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Africa.
[FR Doc. 00-461 Filed 1-11-00; 8:45 am]
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