[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 30 (Friday, February 13, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8059-8060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-02721]


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

 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Request for Applicants for Appointment to the United States 
Section of the United States-Turkey Business Council; Amendment

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Amended notice.

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

SUMMARY: This notice amends the Department of Commerce, International 
Trade Administration Notice of Request for Applicants for Appointment 
to the United States Section of the United States-Turkey Business 
Council (Council) of February 2, 2015 (80 FR 5511) to revise the 
eligibility criteria to permit federally-registered lobbyists to apply 
for appointment to the Council. The Department of Commerce recently 
revised its policy regarding appointment of federally-registered 
lobbyists to Department advisory committees and related entities 
following a policy clarification by the Office of Management and Budget 
that the eligibility restriction does not apply to persons serving on 
advisory committees, boards, or commissions if they are specifically 
appointed to represent the interests of a nongovernmental entity, a 
recognizable group of persons or nongovernmental entities (an industry 
sector, labor unions, environmental groups, etc.), or state or local 
governments (see 79 FR 47482). The Under Secretary for International 
Trade will now consider applications of federally-registered lobbyists 
for appointment on the Council. This notice also extends the deadline 
for submitting applications to March 6, 2015. All other eligibility 
criteria continue to apply.
    In December 2009, the Governments of the United States and Turkey 
agreed to establish a U.S.-Turkey Business Council. This notice 
announces membership opportunities for appointment as American 
representatives to the U.S. Section of the Council. The current U.S. 
Section term expired on November 5, 2014.

DATES: Applications should be received no later than March 6, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Please send applications to Ryan Barnes, Senior 
International Trade Specialist, and Chase Miller, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of Europe, U.S. Department of Commerce, either by 
email at [email protected] and [email protected], or by mail 
to U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Room 
3319, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ryan Barnes, Senior International 
Trade Specialist, and Chase Miller, International Trade Specialist, 
Office of Europe, U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone: 202-482-4915.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Under Secretary for International Trade 
of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Ministry of Economy of 
Turkey co-chair the U.S.-Turkey Business Council, pursuant to the Terms 
of Reference

[[Page 8060]]

signed on May 25, 2010, by the U.S. and Turkish Governments, which set 
forth the objectives and structure of the Council. The Terms of 
Reference may be viewed at: http://www.trade.gov/mac/terms-of-reference-us-turkey-business-council.asp.
    The Council is intended to facilitate the exchange of information 
and encourage bilateral discussions of business and economic issues, 
including promoting bilateral trade and investment and improving the 
business climate in each country. The Council brings together the 
respective business communities of the United States and Turkey to 
discuss such issues of mutual interest and to communicate their joint 
recommendations to the U.S. and Turkish Governments. The Council 
consists of the U.S. and Turkish co-chairs and a Committee comprised of 
private sector members. The Committee is composed of two Sections of 
private sector members, a U.S. Section and a Turkish Section, each 
consisting of approximately ten to twelve members, representing the 
views and interests of their respective private sector business 
communities. Each government will appoint the members to its respective 
Section. The Committee will provide joint recommendations to the two 
governments that reflect private sector views, needs, and concerns 
regarding creation of an environment in which the private sectors of 
both countries can partner, thrive, and enhance bilateral commercial 
ties that could form the basis for expanded trade and investment 
between the United States and Turkey.
    The Department of Commerce is currently seeking applicants for 
membership on the U.S. Section of the Committee. Each applicant must be 
a senior-level executive of a U.S.-owned or controlled company that is 
incorporated in and has its main headquarters located in the United 
States and that is currently doing business in Turkey. Each applicant 
also must be a U.S. citizen, or otherwise legally authorized to work in 
the United States, and be able to travel to Turkey and locations in the 
United States to attend official Council meetings, as well as U.S. 
Section and Committee meetings. In addition, the applicant may not be a 
registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 
1938, as amended.
    Evaluation of applications for membership in the U.S. Section by 
eligible individuals will be based on the following criteria:

--A demonstrated commitment by the applicant's company to the Turkish 
market either through exports or investment.
--A demonstrated strong interest by the applicant's company in Turkey 
and its economic development.
--The ability by the applicant to offer a broad perspective on the 
business environment in Turkey, including cross-cutting issues that 
affect the entire business community.
--The ability by the applicant to initiate and be responsible for 
activities in which the Council will be active.

    Members will be selected on the basis of who will best carry out 
the objectives of the Council as stated in the Terms of Reference 
establishing the U.S.-Turkey Business Council. In selecting members of 
the U.S. Section, the Department of Commerce will also seek to ensure 
that the Section represents a diversity of business sectors and 
geographical locations, as well as a cross-section of small, medium, 
and large-sized firms.
    U.S. members will receive no compensation for their participation 
in Council-related activities. They shall not be considered as special 
government employees. Individual private sector members will be 
responsible for all travel and related expenses associated with their 
participation in the Council, including attendance at Committee and 
Section meetings. Only appointed members may participate in official 
Council meetings; substitutes and alternates may not be designated. 
Members will normally serve for two-year terms, but may be reappointed.
    To apply for membership, please submit the following information as 
instructed in the ADDRESSES and DATES captions above:
    1. Name(s) and title(s) of the applicant(s);
    2. Name and address of the headquarters of the applicant's company;
    3. Location of incorporation of the applicant's company;
    4. Percentage share of U.S. citizen ownership in the company;
    5. Size of the company in terms of number of employees;
    6. Dollar amount of the company's export trade to Turkey;
    7. Dollar amount of the company's investments in Turkey;
    8. Nature of the company's investments, operations or interest in 
Turkey;
    9. An affirmative statement that the applicant is a U.S. citizen or 
otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States;
    10. An affirmative statement that the applicant is neither 
registered nor required to register as a foreign agent under the 
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended;
    11. An affirmative statement that the applicant meets all other 
eligibility requirements;
    12. A brief statement of why the applicant should be considered;
    13. A brief statement of how the applicant meets the four listed 
criteria, including information about the candidate's ability to 
initiate and be responsible for activities in which the Council will be 
active. Applications will be considered as they are received.
    All candidates will be notified of whether they have been selected.

    Dated: February 4, 2015.
Jay A. Burgess,
Director of the Office of European Country Affairs (OECA).
[FR Doc. 2015-02721 Filed 2-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P