[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 7, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15697-15698]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-7835]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Quarterly 
Survey of Insurance Transactions by U.S. Insurance Companies With 
Foreign Persons

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 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 5 p.m. June 8, 
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: Direct requests for additional 
information or copies of the survey and instructions to Christopher 
Emond, Chief, Special Surveys Branch, Balance of Payments Division, 
(BE-50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 606-9826; fax: (202) 606-5318; or 
via the Internet at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Form BE-45, Quarterly Survey of Insurance Transactions by U.S. 
Insurance Companies with Foreign Persons, obtains quarterly data from 
U.S. insurance companies that have engaged in reinsurance transactions 
with foreign persons, that have earned premiums from, or incurred 
losses to, foreign persons in the capacity of primary insurers, or that 
have engaged in international sale or purchase transactions in 
auxiliary insurance services greater than $8 million (positive or 
negative) for the prior calendar year or that are expected to be 
greater than $8 million (positive or negative) in the current calendar 
year. The data collected are cut-off sample data. In addition, 
estimates are developed based upon previously reported or estimated 
data for non-respondents, including those U.S. insurance companies that 
fall below the reporting threshold for the survey.
    The data are needed to monitor U.S. international trade in 
insurance services, analyze its impact on the U.S. and foreign 
economies, compile and improve the U.S. economic accounts, support U.S. 
commercial policy on insurance services, conduct trade promotion, and 
improve the ability of U.S. businesses to identify and evaluate market 
opportunities.
    Responses will be due within 60 days after the close of each 
calendar quarter, except for the final quarter of the calendar year, 
when reports are due within 90 days after the close of the quarter. The 
data from the survey are primarily intended as general purpose 
statistics. They are needed to answer any number of research and policy 
questions related to cross-border trade in services.
    The form remains the same as in the past. No changes in the data 
collected or in exemption levels are proposed.

II. Method of Collection

    The surveys are sent to the respondents by U.S. mail; the surveys 
are also available from our Web site. Respondents return the surveys 
one of four ways: U.S. mail, electronically using BEA's electronic 
collection system (eFile), fax or e-mail.

 III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0608-0066.
    Form Number: BE-45.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,200.
    Estimated Time per Response: 8 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,600.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: The International Investment and Trade in Services 
Survey Act, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108, as amended.

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 will 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.


[[Page 15698]]


    Dated: April 2, 2009.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of Chief Information Officer.
 [FR Doc. E9-7835 Filed 4-6-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P