[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 213 (Thursday, November 3, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 76561]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-26572]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council

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

ACTION: Notice of an Open Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council 
(TFAC) will hold its inaugural meeting on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 
the U.S. Department of Commerce Library, in Washington, DC. The meeting 
is open to the public with registration instructions provided below.
    The TFAC was chartered on August 11, 2016, to advise the Secretary 
in identifying effective ways to help expand access to finance for U.S. 
exporters, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, and their 
foreign buyers. At the meeting, members will be sworn-in and will begin 
a discussion of the work they will undertake during their term. They 
will also be briefed by officials from the Department of Commerce and 
other agencies on major issues impacting this area. The final agenda 
will be posted on the Department of Commerce Web site for the Council 
at http://trade.gov/tfac/, at least one week in advance of the meeting.

DATES: Friday, November 18, 2016, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 
p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ericka Ukrow, Designated Federal 
Officer, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries (OFII), 
International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce at 
(202) 482-0405; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    On July 25, 2016, the Secretary of Commerce established the TFAC 
pursuant to discretionary authority and in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. The TFAC advises the 
Secretary of Commerce 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 also 
provides a 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 capital.
    On November 18, 2016, the TFAC will hold its inaugural meeting. 
Members will be sworn-in, discuss the Council's operational structure, 
major challenges impacting the provision of trade finance as well as 
prospects to foster greater access to private sector financing for U.S. 
exporters, and key priorities to focus on during their term. Members 
will also hear from officials from the Department of Commerce and other 
agencies on the resources available to support our exporters in the 
trade finance area. The agenda may change to accommodate TFAC 
requirements. The final agenda will be posted on the Department of 
Commerce Web site for the Council http://trade.gov/tfac/ at least a 
week prior to the meeting.

II. Public Participation

    The public is invited to submit written statements for the TFAC's 
meeting. Statements must be received by 5:00 p.m. EST, November 11, 
2016 by either of the following methods: (a) Electronic Submission: 
Submit statements electronically to Ericka Ukrow, U.S. Department of 
Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council Designated Federal Officer, via 
email to [email protected] ; or (b) Paper Submissions: Send paper 
statements to Ericka Ukrow, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance 
Advisory Council Designated Federal Officer, Room 18002, 1401 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. Statements will be 
posted on the TFAC Web site without change, including any business or 
personal information provided such as names, addresses, email 
addresses, or telephone numbers. All statements received, including 
attachments and other supporting materials, are part of the public 
record and are subject to public disclosure. You should submit only 
information that you wish to make publicly available.

III. Meeting Minutes

    Copies of TFAC meeting minutes will be available within 30 days 
following the meeting.

    Dated: October 27, 2016.
Paul Thanos
Director, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries.
[FR Doc. 2016-26572 Filed 11-2-16; 8:45 am]
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