[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 23 (Monday, February 4, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6526-6527]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-1937]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-497]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences, 2007 Review of Competitive Need Limit Waivers

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: Following receipt on January 18, 2008, 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. 332-497, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to 
the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2007 Review of Competitive 
Need Limit Waivers.

DATES: 
February 11, 2008: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the public 
hearing
February 12, 2008: Deadline for filing pre-hearing briefs and 
statements
February 28, 2008: Public hearing
March 7, 2008: Deadline for filing post-hearing briefs and statements 
and other written submissions
April 17, 2008: Transmittal of report to USTR

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing 
rooms, are located in the United States International Trade Commission 
Building, 500 E Street, SW., Washington, DC. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information may be obtained from 
Cynthia B. Foreso, Project Leader, Office of Industries (202-205-3348 
or [email protected]) or Eric Land, Deputy Project Leader, 
Office of Industries (202-205-3349 or [email protected]). For more 
information on legal aspects of the investigation, contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel (202-205-
3091 or [email protected]). The media should contact Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of External Relations (202-205-1819 or 
[email protected]). Hearing-impaired individuals may obtain 
information on this matter by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal 
at 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 this investigation may be viewed on the 
Commission's electronic docket (EDIS-ONLINE) at http://www.usitc.gov/secretary/edis.htm. 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.
    Background: As requested by the USTR, under the authority delegated 
by the President, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 
and in accordance with section 503(d)(1)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974 
(1974 Act) (19 U.S.C. 2463(d)(1)(A)), 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 limitations 
specified in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the 1974 Act for the following 
countries and articles: Argentina for HTS subheading 4107.91.80; India 
for HTS subheading 2001.10.00; Indonesia for HTS subheadings 3907.60.00 
and 4011.10.10; and Turkey for HTS subheading 7413.00.50. As requested, 
the Commission will also provide advice as to the probable economic 
effect on consumers of the petitioned waivers. As requested by USTR, 
the Commission will use the dollar value limit of $130,000,000 for 
purposes of section 503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will provide its advice by 
April 17, 2008. The USTR indicated that those sections of the 
Commission's report and related working papers that contain the 
Commission's advice will be classified as ``confidential.''
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m. on February 28, 2008 
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

[[Page 6527]]

Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., Washington, DC 20436, not later than 
the close of business (5:15 p.m.) on February 11, 2008, 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. Pre-hearing briefs and statements should be filed not later than 
5:15 p.m., February 12, 2008; and post-hearing briefs and statements 
and all other written submissions should be filed not later than 5:15 
p.m., March 7, 2008. 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://www.usitc.gov/secretary/fed_reg_notices/rules/documents/handbook_on_electronic_filing.pdf). Persons with questions regarding 
electronic filing should contact the Secretary (202-205-2000). 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 the investigation in the report 
it sends to the USTR. As requested by the USTR, the Commission will 
publish a public version of the report, which will exclude portions of 
the report that the USTR has classified as confidential as well as any 
confidential business information.

    Issued: January 29, 2008.

    By order of the Commission.
Marilyn R. Abbott,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. E8-1937 Filed 2-1-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P