[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 230 (Monday, December 1, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 67153]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-29882]



[[Page 67153]]

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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comments on Commercial Availability Petition 
Under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA)

November 25, 2003.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a petition for a 
determination that certain viscose rayon filament yarns cannot be 
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner under the ATPDEA.

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SUMMARY: On November 24, 2003, the Chairman of CITA received a petition 
from Encajes, S.A. alleging that certain viscose rayon filament yarns, 
of the specifications detailed below, classified in subheading 
5403.41.0000 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner. It requests that apparel articles 
containing such yarns assembled in one or more ATPDEA beneficiary 
countries be eligible for preferential treatment under the ATPDEA. CITA 
hereby solicits public comments on this petition, in particular with 
regard to whether these yarns can be supplied by the domestic industry 
in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be submitted 
by December 16, 2003 to the Chairman, Committee for the Implementation 
of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States Department of Commerce, 
14th and Constitution, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Janet E. Heinzen, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

    Authority: Section 204(b)(3)(B)(ii) of the ATPDEA, Presidential 
Proclamation 7616 of October 31, 2002, Executive Order 13277 of 
November 19, 2002, and the United States Trade Representative's 
Notice of Further Assignment of Functions of November 25, 2002.
    Background: The ATPDEA 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 ATPDEA 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 ATPDEA beneficiary countries from fabric or yarn that is not 
formed in the United States, if it has been determined that such fabric 
or yarn cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner. Pursuant to Executive Order No. 13277 
(67 FR 70305) and the United States Trade Representative's Notice of 
Redelegation of Authority and Further Assignment of Functions (67 FR 
71606), the President's authority to determine whether yarns or fabrics 
cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in 
a timely manner under the ATPDEA has been delegated to CITA.
    On November 24, 2003, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
Encajes, S.A., of Bogota, Colombia, alleging that certain viscose rayon 
filament yarns, of the specifications detailed below, classified in 
HTSUS subheading 5403.41.0000, cannot be supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and requesting 
quota- and duty-free treatment under the ATPDEA for apparel articles 
that are cut, or knit to shape, and sewn in one or more ATPDEA 
beneficiary countries containing such yarns.

1. Viscose Filament Yarn
DTEX 166/40 Bright Centrifugal
Tenacity, cN/tex, min.--142.0
Elongation at rupture, %--18.0--24.0
Elongation at rupture variation factory, % max.--8.1
Twist direction--S
2. Viscose Filament Yarn
DTEX 330/60 Bright Centrifugal
Tenacity, cN/tex, min.--142.0
Elongation at rupture, %--18.0--24.0
Elongation at rupture variation factor, % max.--8.1
Twist direction--S

    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether these yarns can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also 
relevant is whether other yarns that are supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable 
for the yarn for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be 
received no later than December 16, 2003. 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 yarns 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 yarns stating that it produces the 
yarns that is 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.

D. Michael Hutchinson,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
[FR Doc. 03-29882 Filed 11-25-03; 4:24 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P