[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 224 (Monday, November 21, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71937-71938]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-29980]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Direct 
Investment Surveys: BE-605, Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct 
Investment in the United States--Transactions of U.S. Affiliate With 
Foreign Parent

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, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before January 20, 
2012.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th 
and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, or via email at 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to David H. Galler, Chief, Direct Investment Division (BE-
50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 606-9835; fax: (202) 606-2894; or 
via email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Abstract

    The Quarterly Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United 
States--Transactions of U.S. Affiliate with Foreign Parent (BE-605) is 
a sample survey that collects data on transactions and positions 
between foreign-owned U.S. business enterprises and their ``affiliated 
foreign groups'' (i.e., their foreign parents and foreign affiliates of 
their foreign parents). The sample data are used to derive universe 
estimates in nonbenchmark years from similar data reported in the BE-
12, Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, 
which is conducted every five years. The data are used in the 
preparation of the U.S. international transactions, national income and 
product, and input-output accounts and the net international investment 
position of the United States. The data are needed to measure the size 
and economic significance of foreign direct investment in the United 
States, measure changes in such investment, and assess its impact on 
the U.S. economy.
    The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) proposes the following 
changes to the survey: (1) The deletion of a check-box question that 
asks respondents whether they plan to expand their operation with a new 
facility (this information is no longer needed); and (2) design 
improvements to the survey form.

II. Method of Collection

    Form BE-605 is a quarterly report that must be filed within 30 days 
after the end of each quarter (45 days after the final quarter of the 
respondent's fiscal year) by every U.S. business enterprise that is 
owned 10 percent or more by a foreign investor and that has total 
assets, sales or gross operating revenues, or net income (positive or 
negative) of over $60 million.
    As an alternative to filing paper forms, BEA will offer an 
electronic filing option, its eFile system, for use in reporting on 
Form BE-605. For more information about eFile, go to http://www.bea.gov/efile.
    Potential respondents are those U.S. business enterprises that were 
required to report in the BE-12, Benchmark Survey of Foreign Direct 
Investment in the United States--2007, along with those U.S. business 
enterprises that subsequently entered the direct investment universe. 
The data collected are sample data covering transactions and positions 
between foreign-owned U.S. business enterprises and their affiliated 
foreign groups. Universe estimates are developed from the reported 
sample data.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0608-0009.
    Form Number: BE-605.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 16,000 annually.
    Estimated Time per Response: One hour is the average, but may vary 
considerably among respondents because of differences in company size 
and complexity.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 16,000.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0.
    Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory.
    Legal Authority: International Investment and Trade in Services 
Survey Act (Pub. L. 94-472, 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 71938]]


    Dated: November 16, 2011.
Glenna Mickelson,
Management Analyst, Office of Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2011-29980 Filed 11-18-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P