[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 25 (Tuesday, February 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5247-5248]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02273]


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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 or Council) will hold a meeting on Thursday, February 22, 2018, 
at the U.S. Department of Commerce, in Washington, DC. The meeting is 
open to the public with registration instructions provided below.

DATES: Thursday, February 22, 2018, from approximately 10:00 a.m. to 
3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST). The deadline for members of the 
public to register, including requests to make comments during the 
meeting and for auxiliary aids, or to submit written comments for 
dissemination prior to the meeting, is 5:00 p.m. EST on February 14, 
2018. Members of the public are encouraged to submit registration 
requests and written comments via email to ensure timely receipt.

ADDRESSES: U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230.

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

[[Page 5248]]

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 February 22, 2018, the TFAC will hold its third meeting. During 
this meeting members are expected to discuss possible recommendations 
on policies and programs that can increase awareness of, and expand 
access to, private export financing resources for U.S. exporters. They 
will also hear from officials from the Department of Commerce and other 
agencies on issues impacting the scope of their work and mission.

Public Participation

    The meeting will be open to the public and will be accessible to 
people with disabilities.
    All guests are required to register in advance by the deadline 
identified under the DATE caption. Requests to register (including to 
speak or for auxiliary aids) and any written comments should be 
submitted 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. Last minute requests 
will be accepted, but may be impossible to fill. There will be fifteen 
(15) minutes allotted for oral comments from members of the public 
joining the meeting. To accommodate as many speakers as possible, the 
time for public comments may be limited to three (3) minutes per 
person. Individuals wishing to reserve speaking time during the meeting 
must submit a request at the time of registration, as well as the name 
and address of the proposed speaker. If the number of registrants 
requesting to make statements is greater than can be reasonably 
accommodated during the meeting, the International Trade Administration 
may conduct a lottery to determine the speakers. Speakers are requested 
to submit a written copy of their prepared remarks by 5:00 p.m. EDT on 
February 14, 2018, for inclusion in the meeting records and for 
circulation to the members of the Council. In addition, any member of 
the public may submit pertinent written comments concerning matters 
relevant to the TFAC's responsibilities at any time before or after the 
meeting. Comments may be submitted to Ericka Ukrow, at the contact 
information indicated above. To be considered during the meeting, 
comments must be received no later than 5 p.m. EDT on February 14, 
2018, to ensure transmission to the Council members prior to the 
meeting. Comments received after that date and time will be distributed 
to the members but may not be considered during the meeting. Comments 
and statements will be posted on the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade 
Finance Advisory Council website (http://trade.gov/TFAC) without 
change, including any business or personal information provided such as 
names, addresses, email addresses, or telephone numbers.
    All comments and statements received, including attachments and 
other supporting materials, are part of the public record and subject 
to public disclosure. You should submit only information that you are 
prepared to have made publicly available.

II. Meeting Minutes

    Copies of TFAC meeting minutes will be available within 90 days of 
the meeting.

    Dated: January 26, 2018.
Paul Thanos,
Director, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries.
[FR Doc. 2018-02273 Filed 2-5-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE P