[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 116 (Monday, June 17, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 41219]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-15218]



[[Page 41219]]

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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comments on Short Supply Request Under the 
United States-Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

June 12, 2002.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a request for a 
determination that certain 100 percent cotton yarn-dyed flannel 
fabrics, for use in apparel articles, cannot be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner under the 
CBTPA.

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SUMMARY: On June 11, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
Intradeco Corporation alleging that certain 100 percent cotton yarn-
dyed flannel fabrics, classified in subheading 5208.43.00 of the 
Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), for use in 
apparel articles, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. It requests that apparel of 
such fabrics be eligible for preferential treatment under the CBTPA. 
CITA hereby solicits public comments on this request, in particular 
with regard to whether such fabrics can be supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be 
submitted by July 2, 2002 to the Chairman, Committee for the 
Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact: Richard Stetson, 
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 Carribean 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 and 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 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 and directed 
CITA to establish procedures to ensure appropriate public participation 
in any such determination. On March 6, 2001, CITA published procedures 
that it will follow in considering requests. (66 FR 13502).
    On June 11, 2002, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
Intradeco Corporation of Miami, Florida, alleging that certain 100 
percent cotton yarn-dyed flannel fabrics, classified in HTSUS 
subheading 5208.43.00, of construction 2X2 twill weave 64X54, cannot be 
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner and requesting quota- and duty-free treatment under the CBTPA 
for apparel articles that are both cut and sewn in one or more CBTPA 
beneficiary countries from such fabrics.
    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether these fabrics can be supplied by 
the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also 
relevant is whether other fabrics that are supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable 
for these fabrics for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be 
received no later than July 2, 2002. Interested persons are invited to 
submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman, 
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, room 3100, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC 20230.
    If a comment alleges that these fabrics can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA 
will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed 
statement by a manufacturer of the fabrics stating that it produces the 
fabrics that are the subject of the request, including the quantities 
that can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well 
as any relevant information regarding past production.
    CITA will protect any business confidential information that is 
marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent 
permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-
confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of 
any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3100 in 
the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are 
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential 
summary.

James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 02-15218 Filed 6-12-02; 4:37 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P