[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13952-13953]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6852]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation TA-2104-6]


U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: Potential Economywide and 
Selected Sectoral Effects

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: March 3, 2003.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on January 21, 2003, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. TA-2104-6, U.S.-Singapore Free Trade Agreement: 
Potential Economywide and Selected Sectoral Effects, under section 
2104(f) of the Trade Act of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804(f)).
    Background: As requested by the USTR, the Commission will prepare a 
report as specified in section 2104(f)(2) of the Trade Act of 2002 (19 
U.S.C. 3804(f)(2)) assessing the likely impact of the U.S.-Singapore 
FTA on the United States economy as a whole and on specific industry 
sectors and the interests of U.S. consumers. Specifically, the report 
will--

assess the likely impact of the agreement on the United States economy 
as a whole and on specific industry sectors, including the impact the 
agreement will have on the gross domestic product, exports and imports, 
aggregate employment and employment opportunities, the production, 
employment, and competitive position of industries likely to be 
significantly affected by the agreement, and the interests of United 
States consumers.
    In preparing its assessment, the Commission will review available 
economic assessments regarding the agreement, including literature 
regarding any substantially equivalent proposed agreement, and will 
provide in its assessment a description of the analyses used and 
conclusions drawn in such literature, and a discussion of areas of 
consensus and divergence between the various analyses and conclusions, 
including those of the Commission regarding the agreement. Section 
2104(f)(2) requires that the Commission submit its report to the 
President and the Congress not later than 90 days after the President 
enters into the agreement, which he can do 90 days after he notifies 
the Congress of his intent to do so. The President notified the 
Congress on January 30, 2003, of his intent to enter into the FTA with 
Singapore.

[[Page 13953]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Further information may be obtained 
from Diane Manifold, Project Leader, Office of Economics ((202) 205-
3271). For information on the legal aspects of this investigation, 
contact William Gearhart of the Office of the General Counsel ((202) 
205-3091). For media information, contact Peg O'Laughlin ((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).
    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 24, 2003. 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, United 
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 
20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., April 10, 2003. Any prehearing briefs 
(original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., 
April 17, 2003; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs or 
statements is 5:15 p.m., May 1, 2003. In the event that, as of the 
close of business on April 10, 2003, 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) 205-1816) after April 
10, 2003, to determine whether the hearing will be held.
    Written Submission: 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 to the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. The Commission intends to publish 
only a public report in this investigation. Accordingly, any 
confidential business information received by the Commission in this 
investigation and used in preparing the report will not be published in 
a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm supplying the 
information. 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 1, 2003. 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, except to the extent permitted by 
section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules, as amended, 67 FR 68036 (Nov. 
8 2002). The public record for this investigation may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov.
    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).

List of Subjects

    Singapore, tariffs, trade, imports and exports.

    Issued: March 17, 2003.
    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 03-6852 Filed 3-20-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P