[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 18, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 68419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-27340]


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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS


Determination Under the Textile and Apparel Commercial 
Availability Provision of the Dominican Republic-Central America-United 
States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR Agreement)

November 12, 2008.
AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.

ACTION: Determination to add a product in unrestricted quantities to 
Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 18, 2008.
SUMMARY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements 
(CITA) has determined that certain 100% polyester sharkskin fabric, as 
specified below, is not available in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner in the CAFTA-DR countries. The product will be added to the list 
in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Maria Dybczak, Office of Textiles and 
Apparel, U.S. Department of Commerce, (202) 482-3651.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ONLINE: http://web.ita.doc.gov/tacgi/CaftaReqTrack.nsf.Reference number: 91.2008.10.09.Fabric.SharrettsPaley 
forFishman&Tobin.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Authority: Section 203(o)(4) of the Dominican Republic-Central 
America-United States Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act 
(CAFTA-DR Act); the Statement of Administrative Action (SAA), 
accompanying the CAFTA-DR Act; Presidential Proclamations 7987 
(February 28, 2006) and 7996 (March 31, 2006).

BACKGROUND:

    The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides a list in Annex 3.25 for fabrics, 
yarns, and fibers that the Parties to the CAFTA-DR Agreement have 
determined are not available in commercial quantities in a timely 
manner in the territory of any Party. The CAFTA-DR Agreement provides 
that this list may be modified pursuant to Article 3.25(4)-(5), when 
the President of the United States determines that a fabric, yarn, or 
fiber is not available in commercial quantities in a timely manner in 
the territory of any Party. See Annex 3.25, Note; see also section 
203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR Act.
    The CAFTA-DR Act requires the President to establish procedures 
governing the submission of a request and providing opportunity for 
interested entities to submit comments and supporting evidence before a 
commercial availability determination is made. In Presidential 
Proclamations 7987 and 7996, the President delegated to CITA the 
authority under section 203(o)(4) of CAFTA-DR Act for modifying the 
Annex 3.25 list. On September 15, 2008, CITA published modified 
procedures it would follow in considering requests to modify the Annex 
3.25 list (73 FR 53200) (``procedures'').
    On October 9, 2008, the Chairman of CITA received a request for a 
commercial availability determination (``Request'') under the CAFTA-DR 
from Sharretts, Paley, Carter & Blauvelt, P.C., on behalf of Fishman & 
Tobin, for certain 100% polyester sharkskin fabrics. On October 10, 
2008, in accordance with CITA's procedures, CITA notified interested 
parties of the Request and posted the Request on the dedicated website 
for CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability proceedings. In its notification, 
CITA advised that any Response with an Offer to Supply (``Response'') 
must be submitted by October 24, 2008, and any Rebuttal be submitted by 
October 30, 2008. No interested entity submitted a Response advising 
CITA of its objection to the Request and its ability to supply the 
subject product.
    In accordance with section 203(o)(4)(C) of the CAFTA-DR Act, and 
CITA's procedures, as no interested entity submitted a Response 
objecting to the Request and demonstrating its ability to supply the 
subject product, CITA has determined to add the specified fabric to the 
list in Annex 3.25 of the CAFTA-DR Agreement.
    The subject product has been added to the list in Annex 3.25 of the 
CAFTA-DR Agreement in unrestricted quantities. A revised list has been 
posted on the dedicated website for CAFTA-DR Commercial Availability 
proceedings.

 
 
 
Specifications: Certain Polyester Sharkskin Fabric
 
HTS: 5515.12.00; 5407.93.20
 
Fiber Content: 100% Polyester
 
Warp Yarn:
  English: 30/2 or 30/1 to 50/2 or 50/1 spun polyester staple fibers
   combined with polyester filament of 100-300 denier.
  Metric: 51/2 or 51/1 to 85/2 or 85/1 spun polyester staple fibers
   combined with polyester filament of 90 to 30 decitex.
 
Fill Yarn:
  English: 30/2 or 30/1 to 50/2 or 50/1 spun polyester staple fibers
   combined with polyester filament of 100-300 denier.
  Metric: 51/2 or 51/1 to 85/2 or 85/1 spun polyester staple fibers
   combined with polyester filament of 90 to 30 decitex.
 
Construction:
  English: 180-210 warp ends x 85-95 filling picks per inch.
  Metric: 70-82 warp ends x 33-37 filling picks per centimeter.
 
Weave: Various.
 
Weight:
  English: 6.2 to 7.5 oz/sq. yd.
  Metric: 210 to 255 g/sq. m.
 
Width:
  English: 56 to 64 inches.
  Metric: 142 to 163 centimeters.
 
Finish: Containing at least 2 different color yarns, each of which is
 dyed a different color, with either cationic or disperse dyes or any
 combinations of both.
 


Janet E. Heinzen,
Acting Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile 
Agreements.
[FR Doc. E8-27340 Filed 11-17-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS