[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48975-48976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16544]



[[Page 48975]]

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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-470]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences, 2005 Review

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on August 9, 2005 of a request form 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. 332-470, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2005 Review.
    Background: As requested by the USTR, in accordance with sections 
503(a)(1)(A), 503(e), and 131(a) of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended 
(1974 Act), and under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the 
Commission will provide advice with respect to the probable economic 
effect on U.S. industries producing like or directly competitive 
articles and on consumers of the elimination of U.S. import duties for 
all beneficiary developing countries under the GSP for HTS subheading 
1302.39.0010. In providing its advice on these articles, the USTR asked 
that the Commission assume that the benefits of the GSP would not apply 
to imports that would be excluded from receiving such benefits by 
virtue of competitive need limits specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of 
the 1974 Act. In his letter, the USTR also requested that the 
Commission provide advice, on a different time schedule, with respect 
to the probable economic effect of the elimination of U.S. duties on 
certain watches. The Commission will provide that advice in February 
2006 in its report on investigation No. 332-471, Advice Concerning 
Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 
2005 Special Review on Watches.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide advice as to 
the probable economic effect on United States industries producing like 
or directly competitive articles and on consumers of the restoration of 
India for duty-free treatment under the GSP for HTS subheading 
2916.39.15.
    As requested by the USTR and in accordance with section 
503(d)(1)(A) of the 1974 Act, the Commission will provide advice on 
whether any industry in the United States is likely to be adversely 
affected by a waiver of the competitive need limits specified in 
section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for the Philippines for HTS 
subheading 0804.50.80; for Brazil for HTS subheading 4412.19.40; and 
for Turkey for HTS subheadings 6802.21.10 and 6802.91.20.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide its advice no 
later than November 10, 2005. With respect to the competitive need 
limit in section 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as 
requested, will use the dollar value limit of $115,000,000.

DATES: Effective Date: August 9, 2005.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader, Cynthia B. Foreso 
((202) 205-3348 or [email protected]). Deputy Project Leader, 
Alan Treat ((202) 205-3426 or [email protected]).
    The above persons are in the Commission's Office of Industries. For 
more information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at (202) 
205-3091 or [email protected]. The media should contact 
Margaret O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations at (202) 205-1819 or 
[email protected]. Hearing impaired individuals are advised 
that information on this matter can be obtained by contacting the TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810. General information concerning the 
Commission may also be obtained by accessing its Internet server 
(http://www.usitc.gov). The public record for these investigations may 
be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ONLINE) at http://edis.usitc.gov/hvwebex.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on September 29, 
2005, at the United States 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, not later than the close of business (5:15 
p.m.) on September 9, 2005, in accordance with the requirements in the 
``Submissions'' section below.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written 
statements or briefs concerning these investigations. All written 
submissions, including requests to appear at the hearing, statements, 
and briefs, should be addressed to the Secretary, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436. 
Any prehearing statements or briefs should be filed not later than 5:15 
p.m., September 12, 2005; the deadline for filing posthearing 
statements or briefs is 5:15 p.m., October 7, 2005. All written 
submissions 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 a 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 information must be deleted (see the following 
paragraph for further information regarding confidential business 
information). The Commission's rules do not authorize filing 
submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means, except 
to the extent permitted by section 201.8 of the rules (see Handbook for 
Electronic Filing Procedures, http://hotdocs.usitc.gov/pubs/electronic_filing_handbook.pdf).
    Any submissions that contain confidential business information must 
also conform with the requirements of section 201.6 of the Commission's 
Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 201.6 of the 
rules requires that the cover of the document and the individual pages 
be clearly marked as to whether they are the ``confidential'' or 
``nonconfidential'' version, and that the confidential business 
information be clearly identified by means of brackets. All written 
submissions, except for confidential business information, will be made 
available in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties.
    The Commission may include some or all of the confidential business 
information submitted in the course of these investigations in the 
report it sends to the USTR. As requested by the USTR, the Commission 
will publish a public version of the report. However, in the public 
version, the Commission will not publish confidential business 
information in a manner that would reveal the operations of the firm 
supplying the information.
    Persons with mobility impairments who will need special assistance 
in gaining access to the Commission should contact the Secretary at 
(202) 205-2000.

    By order of the Commission.


[[Page 48976]]


    Issued: August 15, 2005.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 05-16544 Filed 8-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P