[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 46 (Friday, March 8, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 10683-10684]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-5699]


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

COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Denial of Short Supply Request under the United States - 
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

March 5, 2002.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Denial of the petition alleging that certain fabrics used in 
women's and girls' blouses cannot be supplied by the domestic industry 
in commercial quantities in a timely manner.

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

SUMMARY: On January 4, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a petition

[[Page 10684]]

from School Apparel, Inc. alleging that certain fabrics, classified in 
subheadings 5210.21 and 5210.31 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of 
the United States (HTSUS) cannot be supplied by the domestic industry 
in commercial quantities in a timely manner. It requested that women's 
and girls' blouses of such fabric be eligible for preferential 
treatment under the CBTPA. Based on currently available information, 
CITA has determined that these subject fabrics can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and 
therefore denies the petition.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet Heinzen, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II) of the Caribbean Basin 
Economic Recovery Act, as added by Section 211(a) of the CBTPA; 
Section 6 of Executive Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001.

BACKGROUND:

    The CBTPA provides for quota- and duty-free treatment for 
qualifying textile and apparel products. Such treatment is generally 
limited to products manufactured from yarns or fabrics formed in the 
United States or a beneficiary country. The CBTPA also provides for 
quota- and duty-free treatment for apparel articles that are both cut 
(or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one or more CBTPA 
beneficiary countries from fabric or yarn that is not formed in the 
United States or a CBTPA beneficiary country, if it has been determined 
that such fabric or yarn cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. In Executive Order No. 13191, 
the President delegated to CITA the authority to determine whether 
yarns or fabrics cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner under the CBTPA. On March 6, 
2001, CITA published procedures that it will follow in considering 
requests. (66 FR 13502).
    On January 4, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
School Apparel, Inc. alleging that certain fabrics, classified in 
subheadings 5210.21 and 5210.31 of the HTSUS, not of square 
construction, containing more than 70 warp ends and filling picks per 
square centimeter, of average yarn number exceeding 70 metric, cannot 
be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a 
timely manner. It requested that women's and girls' blouses of such 
fabrics be eligible for preferential treatment under the CBTPA.
    On January 10, 2002, CITA solicited public comments regarding this 
request ( 67 FR 1330) particularly with respect to whether these 
fabrics can be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner. On January 29, 2002, CITA and the Office 
of the U.S. Trade Representative offered to hold consultations with the 
relevant Congressional committees. We also requested that advice of the 
U.S. International Trade Commission and the relevant Industry Sector 
Advisory Committees.
    CITA has determined that certain fabrics, classified in sub-
headings 5210.21 and 5210.31 of the HTSUS, not of square construction, 
containing more than 70 warp ends and filling picks per square 
centimeter, of average yarn number exceeding 70 metric, used in the 
production of women's and girls' blouses, can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. On the 
basis of currently available information, including its review of the 
petition, public comments and advice received, and its understanding of 
the industry, CITA has found that there is domestic capacity to produce 
these fabrics. School Apparel's request is denied.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
[FR Doc.02-5699 Filed 3-6-02; 11:53 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S