[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72447-72448]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28215]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Internet Web 
Site Forms

AGENCY: International Trade Administration.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on 
proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 27, 
2009.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 7845, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet 
at [email protected]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to Susan Crawford--phone: (202) 482-2050, 
[email protected], fax: (202) 482-2599.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The International Trade Administration's U.S. Commercial Service 
(CS) is mandated by Congress to help U.S. businesses, particularly 
small and medium-sized companies, export their products and services to 
global markets. The Commercial Service provides this valuable 
assistance through a variety of channels including U.S. Export 
Assistance Center (USEAC) Web sites and the International Trade 
Administration's Export.gov Web site.
    The CS operates 117 Export Assistance Centers throughout the U.S. 
where U.S. companies can meet with International Trade Specialists to 
receive export counseling and other export-related services such as 
market research, due diligence and foreign partner identification. 
Prior to meeting with a Trade Specialist a U.S. company may visit a 
USEAC Web site and complete a USEAC Internet Form to request that a 
Trade Specialist contact them. This USEAC Interest Form asks clients to 
provide company contact information and some company details including 
products or services to be exported and potential export markets of 
interest. This information allows the Trade Specialist to contact the 
client and make appropriate preparations for the initial client 
discussion. Although each USEAC will require similar information about 
a client, there may be some very minor modifications to the USEAC 
Internet Form depending upon unique circumstances at a particular 
USEAC.
    The CS would also like to renew approval for a revised Export.gov 
Web site registration form. ITA's Export.gov Web site provides U.S. 
businesses with valuable export-related resources including an export 
manual and information regarding export topics such as financing, 
international logistics, export documentation, trade leads and trade 
events. Clients are required to register on the site to gain access to 
certain information such as trade leads and market research which are 
only available to American companies. The registration information also 
allows CS to tailor the Web site to improve usability and better meet 
clients' needs. For example a firm that registers as being ``new to 
exporting'' would be directed to basic exporting information that is 
most appropriate for firms that have not yet exported. Whereas a firm 
that registers as an experienced exporter, who has already mastered 
exporting basics, would be directed to resources that are targeted to 
companies that are ready to expand current export efforts and seek new 
markets.

II. Method of Collection

    In the majority of cases the information will be collected 
electronically via the Internet, although some clients may submit the 
information via telephone, fax, or e-mail.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0625-0237.
    Form Number(s): ITA-4148P.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

[[Page 72448]]

    Estimated Number of Respondents: 19,000.
    Estimated Time per Response: 5 minutes.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,583.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: None.

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 cost) 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 other 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: November 21, 2008.
Gwellnar Banks,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. E8-28215 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P