[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 163 (Wednesday, August 22, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42462-42464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18082]


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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 renewal of the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade 
Finance Advisory Council and solicitation of nominations for 
membership.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 
as amended, the Department of Commerce (the Department) announces the 
renewal of the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory 
Council. This advisory committee advises the Secretary on the 
development of strategies and programs that would help expand access to 
finance for U.S. exporters. The renewal 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.

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This notice also requests nominations for membership.

DATES: Nominations for members must be received on or before 5:00 p.m. 
Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) Monday, October 15, 2018. After that date, 
the Department will continue to accept applications under this notice 
for a period of up to two years from the deadline to fill any vacancies 
that may arise.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be submitted by email to 
[email protected], attention: Ericka Ukrow, Office of Finance and 
Insurance Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance 
Advisory Council Executive Secretariat, Trade Finance Advisory Council.

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

    Pursuant to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as 
amended, 5 U.S.C. App., the Department of Commerce announces the 
renewal of the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory 
Council (TFAC). The TFAC advises the Secretary on matters related to 
access to finance for U.S. exporters.
    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, including 
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their foreign buyers.
    The TFAC shall provide 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.
    The TFAC shall draw upon the experience of its members to identify 
how new technologies and other innovative solutions can expand access 
to trade finance for U.S. exporters.
    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 shall: (1) Evaluate 
current credit conditions and specific financing challenges faced by 
U.S. exporters, including SMEs, and their foreign buyers, (2) identify 
emerging financing sources that would address these gaps, (3) examine 
how new financial technologies and other innovations could impact the 
availability and affordability of trade finance solutions, (4) 
highlight developments from international standard setting bodies that 
may affect the provision of trade finance, and (5) address any other 
noteworthy issues raised by stakeholders represented by the membership 
or the public.

II. Structure, Membership, and Operation

    The TFAC shall consist of no more than twenty-five 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 (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 and in a manner that ensures that the TFAC is 
balanced in terms of points of view.
    Members, with the exception of those that serve as experts from 
academia and public policy organizations, serve in a representative 
capacity and representing their own views and interests and those of 
their particular sector, not as special government employees. The 
members that serve as experts (rather than as representatives) from 
academia and public policy organizations are Special Government 
employees (SGEs), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 202, are 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. 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 is still 
needed.
    In addition, the Chairman of the U.S. Export Import Bank (EXIM), 
and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) (or 
their respective designees), will serve on the TFAC as ex officio, non-
voting, members.
    The members term of service will not exceed the duration of this 
charter 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 viewpoint areas of subject matter expertise noted above (see 
''Structure, Membership and Operation''). Individuals may nominate 
themselves or a company, institution, trade association, or 
organization may nominate a qualified representative for membership on 
the TFAC.
    Applications for immediate consideration must be received by 5:00 
p.m. EDT Monday, October 15, 2018.

[[Page 42464]]

    All applicants must submit the following:
    1. Name and title of the individual requesting consideration.
    2. The applicant's personal resume and short biography (less than 
300 words).
    3. A brief statement describing how the applicant 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 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.
    6. For applicants to serve in a representative capacity, also 
submit:
    a. A sponsor letter on the sponsoring entity's letterhead 
containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be considered 
for membership on the TFAC. This sponsor letter should also address the 
applicant'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.
    7. For applicants to serve as experts (i.e., not in a 
representative capacity), also submit:
    a. A statement that the applicant is not a Federally registered 
lobbyist and that the applicant understands that, if appointed, the 
applicant will not be allowed to continue to serve as a Committee 
member if the applicant becomes a Federally registered lobbyist.

Ericka A. Ukrow,
Sr. International Trade Specialist, Designated Federal Officer, TFAC, 
Office of Finance and Insurance Industries.
[FR Doc. 2018-18082 Filed 8-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P