[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72217-72218]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27265]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-464]


Export Opportunities and Barriers in African Growth and 
Opportunity Act--Eligible Countries

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on November 15, 2004, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR) under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332 (g)), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-464, Export Opportunities and Barriers in African 
Growth and Opportunity Act--Eligible Countries.

Background

    As requested by the USTR, in its report the Commission will 
identify, with respect to each of the 37 sub-Saharan African countries 
that are eligible for African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade 
preferences, (1) the major economic sectors with the greatest potential 
for growth in export sales, and (2) domestic and international barriers 
that impede trade growth in such sectors. The Commission will also 
include in its report any information it identifies, in the course of 
its research efforts, concerning private sector initiatives and 
technical assistance programs that attempt to address such barriers.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
report by June 30, 2005.

DATES: Effective Date: December 6, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from the 
project leader, Nannette Christ (202-205-3263 or 
[email protected]) or the deputy project leader, Laura Polly 
(202-205-3408 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, [email protected]). The 
media should contact Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of Public Affairs 
(202-205-1819, [email protected]).
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on March 1, 2005, at 
the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street, SW., 
Washington, DC. All persons have the right to appear by counsel or in 
person, to present information, and to be heard. 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, no later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) 
on February 14, 2005. In addition, persons appearing should file 
prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the 
close of business on February 16, 2005. Posthearing briefs should be 
filed with the Secretary by the close of business on March 11, 2005. In 
the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are received by the 
close of business on February 14, 2005, the hearing will be canceled. 
Any person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or 
nonparticipant may call the Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1806) 
after February 14, 2005 to determine whether the hearing will be held.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the 
public hearing, interested persons are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the investigation. Submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC 20436. To be assured of 
consideration by the Commission, written statements related to the 
Commission's report should be submitted to the Commission at the 
earliest practical date, and should be received by the close of 
business on March 11, 2005. All written submissions, including briefs, 
must conform with the provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8). Section 201.8 of the 
rules requires that a signed original (or copy designated as an 
original) and fourteen (14) copies of each document be filed. In the 
event that confidential treatment of the document is requested, at 
least four (4) additional copies must be filed, in which the 
confidential business information (CBI) must be deleted (see the 
following paragraph for further information regarding CBI). The 
Commission's rules do not authorize filing submissions with the 
Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except to the extent 
permitted in section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for Electronic 
Filing Procedures, ftp://ftp.usitc.gov/pub/reports/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf). Persons with questions regarding electronic filing 
should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000 or [email protected]).
    Any submissions, including briefs, that contain CBI must also 
conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's 
rules (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the rules requires that the 
cover of the document and the individual pages clearly be marked as to 
whether they are the ``confidential'' or ``non-confidential'' versions, 
and that the CBI be clearly identified by means of brackets. All 
written submissions, except for CBI, will be made available for 
inspection by interested parties.
    The Commission may include some or all of the CBI it receives in 
the report it sends to the USTR. However, the Commission will not 
publish CBI in the public version of the report in a manner that would 
reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information. The public 
version of the report will be made available to the public on the 
Commission's Web site.
    The public record for this report may be viewed on the Commission's 
electronic docket (EDIS) at http://edis.usitc.gov. Hearing impaired

[[Page 72218]]

individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting our TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. Persons with mobility 
impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access to the 
Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

List of Subjects

     AGOA, Sub-Sahran Africa.

    Issued: December 8, 2004.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 04-27265 Filed 12-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P