[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 236 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71133-71134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-20883]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Internet Export Finance Matchmaker; Proposed Collection; Comment 
Request

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before February 6, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 1401 
Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20230, or e-mail [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: Jessica Sanderson, The Advocacy Center, Room 3814A, 
Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20230; Phone number: (202) 482-2429, and fax number; (202) 482-3508.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The U.S. Department of Commerce invites the general public and 
other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed extension of the use 
of the Internet Export Finance Matchmaker. The program is used to 
assist U.S. firms in identifying trade finance opportunities and 
promoting the competitiveness of U.S. financial services in 
international trade. The mission of the International Trade 
Administration (ITA) is to coordinate U.S. Government (USG) commercial 
advocacy in order to promote U.S. exports and trade, which both creates 
and sustains U.S. employment. The ITA interacts with private financial 
institutions in insurance, banking, leasing, factoring, bartering, and 
counter-trade; U.S. financing agencies, such as the Export-Import Bank 
and the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; multilateral 
development banks, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and 
others.
    To facilitate contact between exporters and financial institutions, 
the Office of Finance has developed an interactive Internet trade 
finance matchmaking program to link exporters seeking trade finance 
with banks and other financial institutions. The information collected 
from financial institutions regarding the trade finance products and 
services they offer is compiled into a database. An exporter is able to 
electronically submit a one-page form identifying the potential export 
transaction and type of financing requested. This information is 
electronically matched with the financial institution(s) that meet the 
requirements of the exporter. After a match has been made, a message is 
electronically sent to both the exporter and the financial institution 
containing information about the match, and contact information for 
either party to initiate communication. This program is designed to 
implement the Department of Commerce's goal of improving access to 
trade financing for small business exporters.

[[Page 71134]]

II. Method of Collection

    Electronic submission to the International Trade Administration.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0625-0232.
    Form Number: ITA-4146P.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other For-Profit Organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 500.
    Estimated Time per Response: Exporters: 10 Minutes.
    Financial Institutions: 30 Minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 90.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $3,150.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or forms of information technology. 
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: December 5, 2006.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E6-20883 Filed 12-7-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P