[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43490-43491]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18655]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Internet Export 
Finance Matchmaker

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 22, 
2003.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork, Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
[email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: William Franklin, Office of Finance, Room 1800A, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20230; phone number: (202) 482-3277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Office of Finance assists U.S. firms in identifying trade 
finance opportunities and promoting the competitiveness of U.S. 
financial services in international trade. The Office of Finance 
interacts with private financial institutions in insurance, banking, 
leasing, factoring, barter, and counter-trade; U.S. financing agencies,

[[Page 43491]]

such as the Export-Import Bank and the Overseas Private Investment 
Corporation; and multilateral development banks, such as the World 
Bank, Asian Development Bank, and others. To facilitate contact between 
exporters and financial institutions, the Office of Finance has 
developed an interactive Internet trade finance matchmaking program to 
link exporters seeking trade finance with banks and other financial 
institutions. The information collected from financial institutions 
regarding the trade finance products and services they offer is 
compiled into a database. An exporter is able to electronically submit 
a one-page form identifying the potential export transaction and type 
of financing requested. This information is electronically matched with 
the financial institution(s) that meet the requirements of the 
exporter. After a match has been made, a message is electronically sent 
to both the exporter and the financial institution containing 
information about the match, and contact information for either party 
to initiate communication. This program is designed to implement the 
Department of Commerce's goal of improving access to trade financing 
for small business exporters.

II. Method of Collection

    Electronic submission to the International Trade Administration, 
Office of Finance.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0232.
    Form Number: ITA-4146P.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time Per Response: Exporters: 10 minutes; financial 
institutions: 30 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 90.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to the Public: $3,150.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: July 17, 2003.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-18655 Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P