[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 3539]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1538]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 69, No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 2004 / 
Notices  

[[Page 3539]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Request for Extension and Revision of a Currently 
Approved Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION:  Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the CCC Facility Guarantee Program (FGP) based on re-
estimates.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by March 26, 2004, to 
be assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact William S. Hawkins, Director, 
Program Administration Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, AgStop 1031, Washington, DC 20250-1031, 
telephone (202) 720-3241 or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Title: CCC Facility Guarantee Program.
    OMB Number: 0551-0032.
    Expiration Date of Approval: April 30, 2004.
    Type of Request: Extension of and revision to a currently approved 
information collection.
    Abstract: The primary objective of the FGP is to expand U.S. 
agricultural exports by improving agricultural infrastructure in 
importing countries. The FGP makes available export credit guarantees 
to encourage U.S. private sector financing of foreign purchases of U.S. 
goods and services on credit terms. The CCC currently offers the FGP 
for exports to at least 9 countries and 6 country regions. The FGP 
information collection is similar to those for the Export Credit 
Guarantee Program (GSM-102) and the Intermediate Export Credit 
Guarantee Program (GSM-103) (OMB control number 0551-0004). The 
information collection for the FGP differs primarily as follows:
    (1) The applicant, in order to receive a payment guarantee, 
provides information evidencing that the exported goods and services 
used to develop improved infrastructure will primarily benefit exports 
of U.S. agricultural commodities and products; and
    (2) The applicant is required to certify that the value of non-U.S. 
components of goods and services is less than 50 percent of the 
contract value covered under the payment guarantee.
    In addition, each exporter and exporter's assignee (U.S. financial 
institution) must maintain records on all information submitted to CCC 
and in connection with sales made under the FGP. The information 
collected is used by CCC to manage, plan, evaluate and account for 
government resources. The reports and records are required to ensure 
the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for these 
collections is estimated to average 12 hours per response.
    Respondents: Exporters of U.S. agricultural commodities, banks or 
other financial institutions, producer associations, export trade 
associations, and U.S. government agencies.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 5 per annum.
    Estimated Number of Responses per Respondent: 6 per annum.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 360 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568 or e-mail at [email protected].
    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments may be sent to William S. Hawkins, Director, Program 
Administration Division, FAS, USDA, Stop 1031, Washington, DC 20250, or 
[email protected], or to the Desk Officer for Agriculture, 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB), Washington, DC 20503. Persons with disabilities who 
require an alternative means for communication of information (Braille, 
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's Target Center at 
(202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).
    All responses to this notice will be summarized and included in the 
request for OMB approval.
    All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC on January 15, 2004.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 04-1538 Filed 1-23-04; 8:45 am]
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