[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 209 (Monday, October 30, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63285-63286]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-18077]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


 Notice of Creation of U.S.-Iraq Business Dialogue

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce and the Iraqi Ministry of 
Trade have established the U.S.-Iraq Business Dialogue (Business 
Dialogue or Dialogue). This notice announces membership opportunities 
for American representatives to join the U.S. section of the Dialogue.

DATES: Applications must be received no later than December 5, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Please send requests for consideration to Ms. Susan Hamrock, 
Director, Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, U.S.

[[Page 63286]]

Department of Commerce, either by fax on 202-482-0980 or by mail to 
U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Mail 
Stop 3868, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Aaron Kleiner, Office of the 
Middle East, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2029-B, Washington, DC 
20230. Phone: 202-482-2680.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Commerce and the 
Iraqi Ministry of Trade established the Dialogue as a bilateral forum 
to facilitate private sector business growth in Iraq and to strengthen 
trade and investment ties between the United States and Iraq. During 
Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez's visit to Iraq in July 2006, 
he joined Iraqi Minister of Trade Dr. Abd-al-Falah al-Sudani in signing 
the Joint Statement on Commercial Cooperation, which formally provided 
for the establishment of the Dialogue. In their next meeting in 
September 2006, the Secretary and the Minister approved and signed the 
Terms of Reference for the Dialogue.
    The U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the Iraqi Minister of Trade will 
co-chair the Dialogue. The Dialogue will consist of a U.S. Section and 
an Iraqi Section. Each Section will consist of approximately 10 members 
from the private sector, representing the views and interests of the 
private sector business community. Each Party will appoint the members 
to its respective Section. The Sections will provide advice and counsel 
to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Iraqi Ministry of Trade that 
reflect private sector views, needs, and concerns regarding private 
sector business development in Iraq and enhanced bilateral commercial 
ties that could form the basis for expanded trade between the United 
States and Iraq. The Dialogue will exchange information and encourage 
bilateral discussions that address the following areas:
-- Factors that affect the growth of private sector business in Iraq, 
including disincentives to trade and investment and regulatory 
obstacles to job creation and investment growth;
-- Initiatives that the Government of Iraq might take, such as 
enacting, amending, enforcing, or repealing laws and regulations, to 
promote private sector business growth in Iraq;
-- Promotion of business opportunities in both Iraq and the United 
States, and identification of opportunities for U.S. and Iraqi firms to 
work together; and
-- Attracting U.S. businesses to opportunities in Iraq and serving as a 
catalyst for Iraqi private sector growth.

    The U.S. Section of the Dialogue will consist of approximately 10 
members from the private sector. The members will represent a cross-
section of American business with an emphasis, to the extent possible, 
on agribusiness and food processing, financial services, construction 
and housing, information technology, and manufacturing industries. 
Members will serve in a representative capacity representing the views 
and interests of their particular industries. Members are not special 
government employees, and will receive no compensation for their 
participation in Dialogue activities. Only appointed members may 
participate in official Dialogue meetings; substitutes and alternates 
will not be designated. Section members serve for three-year terms, but 
may be reappointed. U.S. Section members serve at the discretion of the 
U.S. Department of Commerce.
    The U.S. Department of Commerce is currently seeking candidates for 
membership on the U.S. Section of the Dialogue. Candidates will be 
evaluated based on: their interest in the Iraqi market; export/
investment experience; contribution to diversity based on size of 
company, geographic location, and sector; and ability to initiate and 
be responsible for activities in which the Business Dialogue will be 
active.
    In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, 
potential candidates shall be:

--A U.S. citizen residing in the United States, or able to travel to 
the United States or other location to attend official Business 
Dialogue meetings;
--The President or CEO (or comparable level of responsibility) of a 
private sector company; if the company is very large, the head of a 
sizeable operating unit of that company; or the head of a non-profit 
entity, such as a trade or industry association, who possesses unique 
technical expertise, an outstanding reputation, and the ability to 
provide counsel with respect to private sector business development in 
Iraq; and
-- Not a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration 
Act of 1938, as amended.

    Members will be selected on the basis of who best will carry out 
the objectives of the Business Dialogue as stated in the Terms of 
Reference establishing the Dialogue. Recommendations for appointment 
will be made to the Secretary of Commerce. All candidates will be 
notified of whether they have been selected.
    To be considered for membership, please submit the following 
information as instructed in the ADDRESSES and DATES captions above: 
Name(s) and title(s) of the individual(s) requesting consideration; 
name and address of company or non-profit entity to be represented; 
size of the company or non-profit entity; description of relevant 
product, service, or technical expertise; size of company's export 
trade, investment, and/or international program experience; nature of 
operations or interest in Iraq; and a brief statement of why the 
candidate should be considered, including information about the 
candidate's ability to initiate and be responsible for activities in 
which the Business Dialogue will be active.

    Dated: October 24, 2006.
Susan Hamrock,
Director, Iraq Investment and Reconstruction Task Force.
[FR Doc. E6-18077 Filed 10-27-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P