[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 56 (Tuesday, March 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13582-13583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-6409]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. TA-2104-13]


U.S. Free Trade Agreement With Central America and the Dominican 
Republic: Potential Economywide and Selected Sectoral Effects

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on January 28, 2004, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. TA-2104-13, U.S. Free Trade Agreement With Central 
America and the Dominican Republic: 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)-(3) of the Trade Act of 2002 
assessing the likely impact of the U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) with 
Central America and the Dominican Republic on the United States economy 
as a whole and on specific industry sectors and the interests of U.S. 
consumers. 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 February 20, 2004, of his intent to enter into an FTA 
with Central America. At that time, the President also stated that 
negotiations were under way to integrate the Dominican Republic into 
the FTA with Central America.
    The ITC has begun its assessment, and it will seek public input for 
the investigation through a public hearing on April 27, 2004. The date 
of the hearing is contingent on the successful conclusion of the 
negotiations with the Dominican Republic and when a public version of 
the final agreement is made available by the U.S. Trade Representative.
    Effective Date: March 11, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: James Stamps, Project Leader, Office 
of Economics (202-205-3227 or [email protected]). For information 
on the legal aspects of this investigation, contact William Gearhart of 
the Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091 or 
[email protected]). 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 this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on April 27, 2004, at 
the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., 
Washington, DC. All persons may appear by counsel or in person, to 
present information, and to be heard. In the event that no requests to 
appear at the hearing are received by the close of business on April 
13, 2004, the hearing will be canceled. Any person interested in 
attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant may call the 
Secretary (202-205-1816) after April 13, 2004 to determine whether the 
hearing will be held.
    Statements and Briefs: In lieu of or in addition to appearing at 
the public hearing, interested persons are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the investigation in accordance with the 
requirements in the ``Submissions'' section below. Persons wishing to 
appear at the public hearing should file a letter with the Secretary, 
United States International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., 
Washington, DC 20436, not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) 
on April 13, 2004. In addition, persons appearing should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on April 20, 2004. Posthearing briefs should be filed 
with the Secretary by the close of business on May 4, 2004.
    Written Submissions: Written statements should be received by the 
close of business on May 4, 2004. Commercial or financial information 
which 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

[[Page 13583]]

business information, will be made available for inspection by 
interested persons. 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. All 
submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the Commission's 
office in Washington, DC. The Commission's rules do not authorize 
filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic 
means, except to the extent permitted by Sec.  201.8 of the 
Commission's Rules (19CFR 201.18) (see Handbook for Electronic Filing 
Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). The public record for this investigation may be viewed 
on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov. 
Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that information on this 
matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD terminal on (202) 205-
1810.

List of Subjects

    Central America, Dominican Republic, tariffs, trade, imports and 
exports.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: March 17, 2004.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-6409 Filed 3-22-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P