[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 118 (Monday, June 21, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34337-34338]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13896]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


SABIT Applications and Questionnaires

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 (2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone number: (202) 
482-0266; e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection should be directed to: Erin 
Schumacher, SABIT, Department of Commerce, FCB 4100W, 14th Street & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 482-0073; 
fax: (202) 482-2443, e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) programs 
of the Department of Commerce's International Trade Administration 
(ITA), are a key element in the U.S. Government's efforts to support 
the economic transition of Eurasia (the former Soviet Union). SABIT 
places business executives and scientists from Eurasia in U.S. firms 
for one-to-six month internships to gain firsthand experiences working 
in a market economy. This unique private sector-U.S. Government 
partnership was created in order to tap the U.S. private sector's 
expertise in assisting Eurasia's transition to a market economy while 
boosting U.S.-Eurasian long-term trade. Under the original or ``Grant'' 
SABIT

[[Page 34338]]

program, qualified U.S. firms will receive funds through a cooperative 
agreement with ITA to help defray the cost of hosting interns. The 
information collected by the Application is needed by the SABIT staff 
to recruit and screen respondents and provide U.S. firms with a pool of 
eligible candidates from which to select interns. Intern applications 
are required to determine the suitability of candidates for SABIT 
internships. Feedback surveys and end-of-internship reports are needed 
to enable SABIT to track the success of the program as regards trade 
between the U.S. and the countries of Eurasia, as well as to improve 
the content and administration of the programs. The closing date for 
applications and supplemental materials is approximately 120 days after 
the date of publication in the Federal Register. Pursuant to section 
632(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (the ``Act'') 
funding for the program will be provided by the Agency for 
International Development (AID).

II. Method of Collection

    Applications are sent to U.S. companies and intern candidates via 
facsimile or mail upon request. Feedback surveys are given to 
participating U.S. companies and interns at the completion of programs.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0225.
    Form Number: ITA-4143P-5.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other non-profit, individuals (non-
U.S. citizens).
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1600.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 1.8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,875.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $89,000.

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 the practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including the hours and costs) 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 respondents, including through the use 
of automated collection techniques of 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 also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 15, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-13896 Filed 6-18-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P