[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 91 (Thursday, May 11, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 27467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7226]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Denial of a Commercial Availability Request under the African 
Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA)

May 5, 2006.
AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements 
(CITA).

ACTION: Denial of the request alleging that certain cotton/cashmere 
yarn cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial 
quantities in a timely manner under the AGOA.

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SUMMARY: On March 6, 2006, the Chairman of CITA received a petition 
from Shibani Inwear alleging that a certain combed and ring-spun yarn, 
of a 92-percent cotton and 8-percent cashmere blend, comprised of 2/32 
Nm resulting in a 16 Nm yarn size, classified in subheading 
5205.42.00.20 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 requested that men's knit 
sweaters made of such yarn be eligible for preferential treatment under 
the AGOA. CITA has determined that the subject yarn can be supplied by 
the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and, 
therefore, denies the request.

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 112(b)(5)(B) of the AGOA; Presidential 
Proclamation 7350 of October 2, 2000; Section 1 of Executive Order 
No. 13191 of January 17, 2001.

Background:

    The AGOA provides for quota- and duty-free treatment for qualifying 
textile and apparel products. Such treatment is generally limited to 
products manufactured from yarns and fabrics formed in the United 
States or a beneficiary country. The AGOA 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 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 (66 FR 7271), CITA has been delegated the 
authority to determine whether yarns or fabrics cannot be supplied by 
the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner under 
the AGOA. On March 6, 2001, CITA published procedures that it will 
follow in considering requests (66 FR 13502).
    On March 6, 2006, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from 
Shibani Inwear alleging that a certain combed and ring-spun yarn, of a 
92-percent cotton and 8-percent cashmere blend, comprised of 2/32 Nm 
resulting in a 16 Nm yarn size, classified in HTSUS subheading 
5205.42.00.20, cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in 
commercial quantities in a timely manner. The petition requested that 
men's knit sweaters made of such yarn be eligible for preferential 
treatment under the AGOA.
    On March 15, 2006, CITA published a notice in the Federal Register 
requesting public comments on the petition (71 FR 13359), particularly 
with respect to whether this yarn can be supplied by the domestic 
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. On March 31, 
2006, CITA and USTR offered to hold consultations with the House Ways 
and Means Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, but no 
consultations were requested. We also requested advice from the U.S. 
International Trade Commission (ITC) and the relevant Industry Trade 
Advisory Committees.
    Based on the information and advice CITA received, public comments, 
and the report from the ITC, CITA found that there is domestic capacity 
and ability to supply the subject yarn in commercial quantities in a 
timely manner. North Carolina Spinning Mills currently makes cashmere 
blend yarns and can supply the subject yarn in the quantities specified 
by the petitioner.
    On the basis of currently available information and our review of 
this request, CITA has determined that there is domestic capacity to 
supply the subject yarn in commercial quantities in a timely manner. 
The request from Shibani Inwear is denied.

James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. E6-7226 Filed 5-10-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS