[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 142 (Monday, July 25, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48386-48387]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-17436]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council 
Establishment

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

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the U.S. Department of Commerce 
Trade Finance Advisory Council.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary), having determined that 
it is in the public interest in connection with the performance of 
duties imposed on the Department of Commerce by law, and with the 
concurrence of the General Services Administration, announces 
establishment of the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory 
Council. This advisory committee will advise the Secretary on the 
development of strategies and programs that would help expand access to 
trade finance for U.S. exporters. The establishment of this federal 
advisory committee is necessary to provide input to the Secretary 
regarding the challenges faced by U.S. exporters in accessing capital, 
innovative solutions that can address these challenges, and 
recommendations on strategies that can expand access to finance and 
educate U.S. exporters on available resources. This notice also 
requests nominations for membership.

DATES: Nominations for members must be received on or before 5 p.m. EDT 
Monday, August 22, 2016.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be submitted to the Executive 
Secretary, Advisory Council on Trade Finance to: Ericka Ukrow, Office 
of Finance and Insurance Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade 
Finance Advisory Council, Room 18002, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., 
Washington, DC 20230, or via email at: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ericka Ukrow, Office of Finance and 
Insurance Industries, Room 18002, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-
0405, email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

    The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council 
(TFAC) is established in accordance with the provisions of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., to advise the 
Secretary on matters relating to private sector trade financing for 
U.S. exporters. The Department affirms that the creation of the TFAC is 
necessary and in the public interest.
    The Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration, 
Office of Finance and Insurance Industries, is accepting nominations 
for membership on the TFAC. The TFAC functions solely as an advisory 
committee. The TFAC shall advise the Secretary in identifying effective 
ways to help expand access to finance for U.S. exporters, especially 
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their foreign buyers.
    The TFAC shall provide a necessary forum to facilitate the 
discussion between a diverse group of stakeholders such as banks, non-
bank financial institutions, other trade finance related organizations, 
and exporters to gain a better understanding regarding current 
challenges facing U.S. exporters in accessing finance.
    The TFAC shall draw upon the experience of its members in order to 
obtain ideas and suggestions for innovative solutions to these 
challenges.
    The TFAC shall develop recommendations on programs or activities 
that the Department of Commerce could incorporate as part of its export 
promotion and trade finance education efforts.
    The TFAC shall report to the Secretary on its activities and 
recommendations. In creating its reports, the TFAC should: (1) Evaluate 
current credit conditions and specific financing challenges faced by 
U.S. exporters, especially SMEs, and their foreign buyers, (2) examine 
other noteworthy issues raised by stakeholders represented by the 
membership, (3) identify emerging financing sources that would address 
these gaps, and (4) recommend specific activities by which these 
recommendations could be incorporated and implemented.

II. Structure, Membership, and Operation

    The TFAC shall consist of no more than twenty members appointed by 
the Secretary. Members may be drawn from:
     U.S. companies that are exporters of goods and services;
     U.S. commercial banks that provide trade finance products, 
cross-border payment services, or foreign exchange solutions;
     Non-bank U.S. financial institutions that provide trade 
finance products, cross-border payment services, or foreign exchange 
solutions;
     Associations that represent: (a) U.S. exporters and SMEs; 
and (b) U.S. commercial banks or non-bank financial institutions or 
other professionals that facilitate international trade transactions;
     U.S. companies or entities whose business includes trade-
finance-related activities or services;
     U.S. scholars, academic institutions, or public policy 
organizations with expertise in global business, trade finance, and 
international banking related subjects; and
     Economic development organizations and other U.S. 
regional, state and local governmental and non-governmental 
organizations whose missions or activities include the analysis, 
provision, or facilitation of trade finance products/services.
    Membership shall include a broad range of companies and 
organizations in terms of products and services, company size, and 
geographic location of both the source and destination of trade 
finance. Members will be selected based on their ability to carry out 
the objectives of the TFAC, in accordance with applicable Department of 
Commerce guidelines, in a manner that

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ensures that the TFAC is balanced in terms of points of view and 
demographics. Priority may be given to candidates who have executive-
level (Chief Executive Officer, Executive Chairman, President, or 
comparable level of responsibility) experience.
    Members, with the exception of those from academia and public 
policy organizations, serve in a representative capacity, representing 
their own views and interests and those of their particular sector, not 
as Special Government Employees. The members from academia and public 
policy organizations serve as experts and therefore are Special 
Government Employees (SGEs), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 202, and will be 
required to comply with certain ethics laws and rules, including filing 
a Confidential Financial Disclosure form. Additionally, a member 
serving as an expert must not be a Federally Registered Lobbyist.
    Prospective nominees should designate the capacity in which they 
are applying to serve and identify either their area of expertise or 
the U.S. industry sector they wish to represent. Members of the TFAC 
will not be compensated for their services or reimbursed for their 
travel expenses. Appointments to the TFAC shall be made without regard 
to political affiliation.
    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 TFAC and 
his/her knowledge and advice are still needed.
    The TFAC chair and vice chair or vice chairs shall be selected from 
the members of the TFAC by the Assistant Secretary for Industry & 
Analysis after consulting with the members. Their term of service will 
not exceed the duration of the current charter term and they may be 
reselected for additional periods should the charter be renewed and 
should they remain on the TFAC.

III. Compensation

    Members will not be paid for their engagement in the performance of 
their duties as members of the Council. Members will not receive per 
diem and travel expenses.

IV. Nomination

    The Department of Commerce will consider nominations of all 
qualified individuals to ensure that the TFAC includes representatives 
of the viewpoints and members with the areas of subject matter 
expertise noted above (see ``Structure, Membership and Operation''). 
Individuals may nominate themselves or other individuals, and a 
company, institution, trade association, or organization may nominate a 
qualified representative for membership on the TFAC.
    Nominations shall state that the nominee is willing to serve as a 
member of the TFAC. All nomination packages should include the 
following information for each nominee: (1) Name and title of the 
individual requesting consideration. (2) Nominations shall state that 
the nominee is willing to serve as a member of the TFAC. The potential 
candidate's personal resume and short biography (less than 300 words). 
(3) A brief statement describing how the potential candidate will 
contribute to the work of the TFAC based on his/her unique experience 
and perspective (not to exceed 100 words). (4) All relevant contact 
information, including mailing address, fax, email, phone number, and 
support staff information where relevant. (5) An affirmative statement 
that the potential candidate meets all eligibility criteria, including 
an affirmative statement that the potential candidate is not required 
to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration 
Act of 1938, as amended.
    In addition, for a potential candidate to serve in a representative 
capacity: (a) A sponsor letter on the sponsoring entity's letterhead 
containing a brief statement of why the potential candidate should be 
considered for membership on the TFAC. This sponsor letter should also 
address the potential candidate's experience and leadership related to 
trade finance; (b) A brief description of the company, institution, 
trade association, or organization to be represented and its business 
activities and export market(s) served, if applicable; (c) Information 
regarding the ownership and control of the sponsoring entity, including 
the stock holdings as appropriate; and (d) The sponsoring entity's size 
(number of employees and annual sales), place of incorporation, product 
or service line, major markets in which the entity operates, and the 
entity's export or import experience.
    In addition, for a potential candidate to serve as an expert: A 
statement that the potential candidate is not a Federally registered 
lobbyist and that the potential candidate understands that, if 
appointed, the potential candidate will not be allowed to continue to 
serve as a Committee member if the potential candidate becomes a 
Federally registered lobbyist.

    Dated: July 19, 2016.
Paul Thanos,
Director, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries.
[FR Doc. 2016-17436 Filed 7-22-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P