[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 149 (Friday, August 2, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50422-50423]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-19631]


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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)

July 30, 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 stock-dyed worsted wool woven 
fabric, used in the production of certain men's suits and suit jackets, 
cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in 
a timely manner under the CBTPA.

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SUMMARY: On July 19, 2002 the Chairman of CITA received a request from 
Oxford Industries, Inc., alleging that certain 100 percent worsted 
(i.e.,

[[Page 50423]]

combed) wool woven fabric, stock-dyed (not piece-dyed) of wool yarns 
with an average fiber diameter of more than 18.5 microns, classified in 
subheading 5112.19.95 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States (HTSUS), for use in the production of men's suit-type jackets 
for suits classified in subheading 6203.31.9010 of the HTSUS and men's 
suits classified in subheading 6203.11.9000 of the HTSUS but excluding 
``morning dress'', ``evening dress'' and ``dinner jacket suits'' (as 
defined in Note 3 (a) to Chapter 62 of the HTSUS), cannot be supplied 
by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. 
It requests that these apparel articles 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. To be insured a full consideration, 
comments must be submitted by August 19, 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: 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 July 19, 2002, the Chairman of CITA received a request from 
Oxford Industries, Inc., alleging that certain 100 percent worsted 
(i.e., combed) wool woven fabric stock-dyed (not piece-dyed) of wool 
yarns with an average fiber diameter of more than 18.5 microns, 
classified in subheading 5112.19.95 of the HTSUS, for use in the 
production of men's suit-type jackets for suits classified in 
subheading 6203.31.9010 of the HTSUS and men's suits classified in 
subheading 6203.11.9000 of the HTSUS but excluding ``morning dress'', 
``evening dress'' and ``dinner jacket suits'' (as defined in Note 3 (a) 
to Chapter 62 of the HTSUS), 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 these 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. To be insured a 
full consideration, comments must be received no later than August 19, 
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, N.W., 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, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are 
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential 
summary.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
[FR Doc.02-19631 Filed 7-31-02; 12:12 pm]
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