[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 187 (Tuesday, September 28, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57904-57905]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-21751]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Request for Public Comments on Commercial Availability Petition 
under the United States - Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)

September 23, 2004.
AGENCY: Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements (CITA).

ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a petition for a 
determination that certain circular single knit jersey fabric cannot be 
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner under the CBTPA.

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SUMMARY: On September 20, 2004, the Chairman of CITA received a 
petition from Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg, P.A., on behalf of Jaclyn, 
Inc. of New York, alleging that certain circular single knit jersey 
fabric of the specifications detailed below, classified in subheading 
6006.34.00.80 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States 
(HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner. The petition requests that women's and 
girl's nightwear of such fabric assembled in one or more CBTPA 
beneficiary countries be eligible for preferential treatment under the 
CBTPA. CITA hereby solicits public comments on this petition, in 
particular with regard to whether this fabric can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments 
must be submitted by October 13, 2004 to the Chairman, Committee for 
the Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution, NW., Washington, D.C. 
20230.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II) of the CBERA, as added by 
Section 211(a) of the CBTPA; Section 6 of Executive Order No. 13191 
of January 17, 2001.

Background:

    The CBTPA provides for quota- and duty-free treatment for 
qualifying textile and apparel products. Such treatment is generally 
limited to products manufactured from yarns or fabrics formed in the 
United States. The CBTPA 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 CBTPA 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. In 
Executive Order No. 13191, the President delegated to CITA the 
authority to determine whether yarns or fabrics cannot be supplied by 
the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner under 
the CBTPA and directed CITA to establish procedures to ensure 
appropriate public participation in any such determination. On March 6, 
2001, CITA published procedures that it will follow in considering 
requests. (66 FR 13502).
    On September 20, 2004, the Chairman of CITA received a petition on 
behalf of Jaclyn, Inc. of New York, alleging that certain circular 
single knit jersey fabric, of the specifications detailed below, 
classified HTSUS subheading 6006.34.00.80, cannot be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and 
requesting quota- and duty-free treatment under the CBTPA for certain 
apparel articles that are cut and sewn in one or more CBTPA beneficiary 
countries from such fabric.

Specifications:

Fabric Description:             single knit jersey, jacquard geometric
                                 rib stitch
Petitioner Style No:            4944
HTS Subheading:                 6006.34.00.80
Fiber Content:                  64% polyester staple/35.5% - 35.8%
                                 cotton/0.2% - 0.5% spandex
Weight:                         6.06 sq. meters/kg
Yarn Size:                      54.14 metric (32/1 English), spun,
                                 filament core
Gauge:                          28
Finish:                         (Piece) dyed and printed
Stretch Characteristics:        25% from relaxed state; 90% recovery to
                                 relaxed state
 

    The petitioner emphasizes that the fabric must be knit on a 
jacquard machine in order to provide the geometric pattern and puckered 
effect apparent in the fabric. Also, the petitioner states that it is 
imperative that

[[Page 57905]]

the fabric be piece dyed before it is printed.
    CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request, 
particularly with respect to whether this fabric can be supplied by the 
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also 
relevant is whether other fabrics that are supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable 
for the fabric for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be 
received no later than October 13, 2004. 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 this fabric 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 fabric stating that it produces the 
fabric 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, N.W., 
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are 
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential 
summary.

James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc.04-21751 Filed 9-24-04; 9:41 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-S