[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 38 (Tuesday, February 26, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8821-8822]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-4497]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation 332-439]


U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the 
Probable Economic Effect

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: February 19, 2002.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on February 11, 2002, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-439, U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Advice 
Concerning the Probable Economic Effect, under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Industry-specific information may be 
obtained from John Davitt, Project Leader (202-205-3407 or 
[email protected]) or Chris Johnson, Deputy Project Leader (202-205-
3488 or [email protected]), Office of Industries, U.S. International 
Trade Commission, Washington, DC, 20436. For information on the legal 
aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of the Office 
of the General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Peg 
O'Laughlin of the Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing 
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be 
obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-1810.

Background

    As requested by USTR, the Commission will provide advice as to the 
probable economic effects of providing duty-free treatment for imports 
of products of Singapore on industries in the United States producing 
like or directly competitive articles, and on consumers. The analysis 
will consider each article in chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized 
Tariff Schedule of the United States for which U.S. tariffs will remain 
after the United States fully implements its Uruguay Round tariff 
commitments. The advice will be based on the 2002 Harmonized Tariff 
System nomenclature and trade data for the year 2000. The USTR 
requested the Commission to provide the advice in a confidential 
report, by June 11, 2002, if possible. In his letter to the Commission, 
the USTR stated that ``* * *, the United States and the Republic of 
Singapore are engaged in negotiations to reach a comprehensive 
bilateral free trade agreement (FTA). Among other things, the agreement 
will eliminate tariffs on substantially all trade in goods between the 
United States and Singapore.'' He noted that a previous U.S. 
International Trade Commission report, U.S.-Singapore Free Trade 
Agreement: Potential Trade and Economic Effects, Inv. No. 332-422 
(January 2001) had served as a useful tool in helping formulate U.S. 
negotiating positions and in conducting an environmental review of the 
proposed agreement and that the additional advice he is now requesting 
will assist them in carrying out tariff negotiations with Singapore.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on April 25, 2002. All persons 
shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary,

[[Page 8822]]

United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., April 16, 2002. Any 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later 
than 5:15 p.m., April 18, 2002; the deadline for filing post-hearing 
briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., May 9, 2002. In the event that, as 
of the close of business on April 16, 2002, no witnesses are scheduled 
to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any person 
interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant 
may call the Secretary of the Commission (202-205-1806) after April 16, 
2002, to determine whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to participating in the hearing, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements (original 
and 14 copies) concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission 
in its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial 
information that a submitter 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 201.6 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 in the Office 
of the Secretary of the Commission for inspection by interested 
parties. The Commission may include some or all of the confidential 
business information submitted by interested parties in its report to 
the USTR. To be assured of consideration by the Commission, written 
statements relating to the Commission's report should be submitted to 
the Commission at the earliest practical date and should be received no 
later than the close of business on May 9, 2002. All submissions should 
be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. The Commission's 
rules do not authorize filing submissions with the Secretary by 
facsimile or electronic means.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Office of the 
Secretary at 202-205-2000. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for this investigation may be 
viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ON-LINE) at http://dockets.usitc.gov/eol/public.

List of Subjects

    Singapore, tariffs, and imports.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: February 20, 2002.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Acting Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-4497 Filed 2-25-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P