[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21842-21843]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-08499]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


United States Investment Advisory Council

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of an opportunity to apply for membership on the United 
States Investment Advisory Council.

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

SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce has established the first-ever 
federal advisory committee to solicit input on strategies to attract 
and retain foreign direct investment to the United States, the United 
States Investment Advisory Council (IAC). The establishment of this 
federal advisory committee is necessary to provide input to the 
Secretary of Commerce on the development and implementation of 
strategies and programs to attract and retain foreign investment in the 
United States and to support the position of the United States as the 
world's preeminent destination for foreign direct investment. The 
Department of Commerce is seeking applications for membership on the 
IAC.

DATES: All applications for immediate consideration for appointment 
must be received by the Office of Advisory Committees and Industry 
Outreach by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on May 10, 2016. 
After that date, ITA will continue to accept applications under the 
notice for a period of up to two years from the deadline to fill any 
vacancies that may arise.

ADDRESSES: Please submit applications by email to [email protected], 
attention: Li Zhou, Office of Advisory Committees and Industry 
Outreach, United States Investment Advisory Council Executive 
Secretariat, or by mail to Li Zhou, Office of Advisory Committees and 
Industry Outreach, United States Investment Advisory Council, Room 
4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Advisory Committees and 
Industry Outreach, United States Investment Advisory Council Executive 
Secretariat, Room 4043, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington DC 
20230, telephone 202-482-4501, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States Investment Advisory 
Council (IAC) is established in accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., to advise 
the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on matters relating to the 
promotion and retention of foreign direct investment in the United 
States (FDI).
    The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 
Office of Advisory Committees and Industry Outreach, is accepting 
applications for membership on the IAC. The IAC functions solely as an

[[Page 21843]]

advisory committee. The IAC shall advise the Secretary on U.S. 
government policies and programs that affect FDI; identify and 
recommend programs and policies to help the United States attract and 
retain FDI; and recommend ways to support the position of the United 
States as the world's preeminent destination for FDI. The IAC shall act 
as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the membership and 
shall provide a forum for the stakeholders on current and emerging 
issues regarding FDI. The IAC shall report to the Secretary on its 
activities and recommendations regarding FDI. In creating its reports, 
the IAC should survey and evaluate the investment and investment-
facilitating activities of stakeholders, should identify and examine 
specific problems facing potential foreign investors, and should 
examine the needs of stakeholders to inform the IAC's efforts. The IAC 
should recommend specific solutions to the problems and needs that it 
identifies.
    The IAC shall consist of no more than twenty members appointed by 
the Secretary. Members shall represent companies and organizations 
investing, seeking to invest, seeking foreign investors, or 
facilitating investment across many sectors, including but not limited 
to:
    U.S.-incorporated companies that are majority-owned by foreign 
companies or by a foreign individual or individuals, or that generate 
significant foreign direct investment (e.g., through their supply 
chains);
    U.S. companies or entities whose business includes FDI-related 
activities or the facilitation of FDI; and
    Economic development organizations and other U.S. governmental and 
non-governmental organizations and associations whose missions or 
activities include the promotion or facilitation of FDI.
    Members shall be selected based on their ability to carry out the 
objectives of the IAC, in accordance with applicable Department of 
Commerce guidelines, in a manner that ensures that the IAC is balanced 
in terms of points of view, demographics, industry subsector, geography 
of the source and the destination of the FDI, and company size. Members 
shall represent a broad range of products and services and shall be 
drawn from large, medium, and small enterprises, private-sector 
organizations involved in investment, and other investment-related 
entities including non-governmental organizations, associations, and 
economic development organizations.
    Priority may be given to executives (Chief Executive Officer, 
Executive Chairman, President, or comparable level of responsibility).
    Members shall serve in a representative capacity, representing the 
views and interests of their sponsoring entity and those of their 
particular sector (if applicable). Members are not special government 
employees and will receive no compensation for their participation in 
IAC activities. Members will not be reimbursed for travel expenses 
related to IAC activities. Appointments to the IAC shall be made 
without regard to political affiliation. Because the IAC will advise 
the Secretary on U.S. international competitiveness in attracting and 
retaining FDI, each member must be a U.S. national.
    Each member shall be appointed for a term of two years and will 
serve at the pleasure of the Secretary. The Secretary may at his/her 
discretion reappoint any member to an additional term or terms, 
provided that the member proves to work effectively on the IAC and that 
his/her knowledge and advice is still needed.
    The Secretary shall designate a Chair and Vice Chair from among the 
members.
    The IAC will meet a minimum of two times a year with, to the extent 
practical, additional meetings called at the discretion of the 
Secretary or his/her designee. Meetings will be held in Washington, DC 
or elsewhere in the United States, or by teleconference, as feasible. 
Members are expected to attend a majority of IAC meetings.
    To be considered for membership, submit the following information 
by 5:00 p.m. EDT on May 10, 2016 to the email address listed in the 
ADDRESSES section:
    1. Name and title of the individual requesting consideration.
    2. A sponsor letter from the applicant on the sponsoring entity's 
letterhead containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be 
considered for membership on the IAC. This sponsor letter should also 
address the applicant's experience and leadership related to foreign 
direct investment.
    3. The applicant's personal resume and short bio (less than 300 
words).
    4. An affirmative statement that the applicant meets all 
eligibility criteria, including an affirmative statement that the 
applicant is not required to register as a foreign agent under the 
Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended.
    5. Information regarding the ownership and control of the 
sponsoring entity, including the stock holdings as appropriate.
    6. The sponsoring entity's size, place of incorporation, product or 
service line, major markets in which the entity operates, and the 
entity's export or import experience.
    7. A profile of the entity's foreign direct investment activities, 
including investment activities, investment plans, investment-
facilitation activities, or other foreign direct investment activities.
    8. Brief statement describing how the applicant will contribute to 
the work of the IAC based on his or her unique experience and 
perspective (not to exceed 100 words).
    9. All relevant contact information, including mailing address, 
fax, email, phone number, and support staff information where relevant.

    Dated: April 7, 2016.
Li Zhou,
Deputy Director, Office of Advisory Committees & Industry Outreach.
[FR Doc. 2016-08499 Filed 4-12-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P