[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 51301]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-21757]



[[Page 51301]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Inv. Nos. TA-131-26 and TA-2104-8]


U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement: Advice Concerning the Probable 
Economic Effect of Duty-Free Imports

AGENCY: International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: August 19, 2003.

SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request on August 13, 2003, from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation Nos. TA-131-26 and TA-2104-8, U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade 
Agreement: Advice Concerning the Probable Economic Effect of Duty-Free 
Imports, under section 131 of the Trade Act of 1974 and section 
2104(b)(2) of the Trade Act of 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this 
investigation may be obtained from Laura Polly, Project Leader (202-
205-3408; [email protected]), or Queena Fan, Deputy Project Leader (202-
205-3055; [email protected]), Office of Industries, United States 
International Trade Commission, Washington, DC 20436. For information 
on the legal aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of 
the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091; [email protected]). 
Hearing impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810. General information concerning the Commission may also be 
obtained by accessing its Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov). The 
public record for these investigations may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov.

Background

    As requested by the USTR pursuant to section 131 of the Trade Act 
of 1974 (19 U.S.C. 2151), in its report the Commission will provide 
advice as to the probable economic effect of providing duty-free 
treatment for imports of products of Bahrain (i) on industries in the 
United States producing like or directly competitive products, and (ii) 
on consumers. The import analysis will consider each article in 
chapters 1 through 97 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United 
States for which U.S. tariffs will remain after the United States fully 
implements its Uruguay Round tariff commitments. The import advice will 
be based on the 2003 Harmonized Tariff System nomenclature and 2002 
trade data. The advice with respect to the removal of U.S. duties on 
imports from Bahrain will assume that any known U.S. nontariff barrier 
will not be applicable to such imports. The Commission will note in its 
report any instance in which the continued application of a U.S. 
nontariff barrier to such imports would result in different advice with 
respect to the effect of the removal of the duty.
    As also requested, pursuant to section 2104(b)(2) of the Trade Act 
of 2002 (19 U.S.C. 3804(b)(2)), the Commission will provide advice as 
to the probable economic effect of eliminating tariffs on imports of 
certain agricultural products of Bahrain on (i) industries in the 
United States producing the product concerned, and (ii) the U.S. 
economy as a whole.
    USTR indicated that the Commission's report will be classified and 
considered to be an interagency memorandum containing pre-decisional 
advice and subject to the deliberative process privilege. The 
Commission expects to provide its report to USTR by December 12, 2003.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with this investigation will be held 
at the United States International Trade Commission Building, 500 E 
Street, SW., Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on September 25, 
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., September 5, 2003. Any prehearing 
briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed not later than 5:15 
p.m., September 11, 2003; the deadline for filing post-hearing briefs 
or statements is 5:15 p.m., October 2, 2003. In the event that, as of 
the close of business on September 5, 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 to the Commission (202-205-1806) after September 
5, 2003, for information concerning whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    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 Sec.  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 may include such confidential business 
information in the report it sends to the USTR. 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 October 2, 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 Sec.  201.8 of the 
Commission's rules (19 CFR 201.8) (see Handbook for Electronic Filing 
Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf).
    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

    Bahrain, tariffs, and imports.

    Issued: August 20, 2003.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 03-21757 Filed 8-25-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P