[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 179 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57191-57192]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-20302]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council; 
Charter Renewal and Solicitations of Nominations for Membership

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act 
(FACA), as amended, the Department of Commerce (the Department) 
announces that the charter for the U.S. Department of Commerce Trade 
Finance Advisory Council was renewed on August 7, 2020. This 
discretionary federal advisory committee advises the Secretary in 
identifying effective ways to help expand access to finance for U.S. 
exporters and their foreign buyers. The charter renewal of this 
advisory committee was necessary to provide the Secretary with advice 
from industry stakeholders on the development of effective policies and 
programs that support the Department's strategic goal of enhancing job 
creation by strengthening U.S. companies' export capabilities and 
reducing the costs and complexities associated with exporting. This 
notice also requests nominations for membership.

DATES: Nominations for membership must be received on or before 5:00 
p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), Friday, November 13, 2020. After that 
date, the Department will continue to accept nominations under this 
notice through February 2022 to fill any vacancies that may arise.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be submitted by email to 
[email protected], Attention: Yuki Fujiyama, Designated Federal Officer 
and Executive Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance 
Advisory Council.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Yuki Fujiyama, Trade Finance 
Specialist, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries, Industry and 
Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce at (202) 482-3468; email: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background and Authority

    Pursuant to provisions of the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., the 
Department announces that the charter for the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC or the ``Council'') was 
renewed on August 7, 2020. The TFAC Secretariat, housed in the Office 
of Finance and Insurance Industries at the Department's International 
Trade Administration, is accepting nominations for membership on the 
Council. The Secretary of Commerce, pursuant to the duties imposed by 
15 U.S.C. 1512, first established the TFAC on August 11, 2016, in 
accordance with the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. The current TFAC 
charter was renewed for a two-year term and will expire on August 7, 
2022.
    The TFAC functions solely as an advisory committee and its main 
objectives are to advise the Secretary in identifying effective ways to 
help (1) expand access to finance for U.S. exporters, including small- 
and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their foreign buyers, and (2) 
remove obstacles to such finance, capital and related resources. The 
description of duties is as follows:
    A. Provide a forum to facilitate discussion among a diverse group 
of stakeholders such as banks, non-bank financial institutions, other 
trade finance related organizations, and exporters, so that the TFAC 
can better perform its advisory work for the Secretary by obtaining a 
better understanding of current challenges facing U.S. exporters and 
their foreign buyers in accessing financing and capital;
    B. Develop actionable recommendations for the Secretary to help 
achieve the objectives stated in this charter;
    C. Address access to private sector trade finance by identifying 
proactive and effective ways for the Department to support and 
collaborate with private sector trade finance providers, which 
facilitate 98 percent of U.S. export transactions, to contribute to the 
growth of U.S. exports;
    D. Recommend effective ways for the Department to expand use of 
U.S. government export finance programs by increasing awareness of 
programs offered by the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), the Small 
Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's 
Foreign Agricultural Service (USDA/FAS), and promoting their use among 
U.S. exporters, especially SMEs, which are unable to obtain financing 
in the private-sector due to credit, commercial and/or country risks;
    E. Draw upon the experience of its members to identify how new 
financial technologies and other innovative solutions can expand access 
to trade finance for U.S. exporters; and
    F. 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 could address these gaps; (3) explore actions 
U.S. exporters can take to manage various risks more effectively, thus 
minimizing risk of non-payment or delayed payment to help enhance their 
ability to obtain financing; and (4) address any other issues requested 
by the Secretary, the Under Secretary for International Trade, or the 
Assistant Secretary for Industry and Analysis

II. Structure, Membership, and Operation

    The TFAC under the new charter will consist of up to twenty (20) 
members with a balanced and broad range of interests, including 
representatives from the trade finance industry and the U.S. exporting 
community, as well as experts from academia and public policy 
organizations.
    The Secretary will seek to appoint to the TFAC individuals 
representing the following areas:

[[Page 57192]]

     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. Members 
will represent companies and organizations from a broad range of 
products and services, company sizes, and geographic locations. In 
accordance with applicable Department guidelines and in a manner that 
ensures that the TFAC is balanced in terms of points of view, Members 
will be selected based on their ability to carry out the objectives of 
the TFAC. 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, designees from EXIM Bank, SBA, and the Trade Promotion 
Coordinating Committee Secretariat will serve as ex officio non-voting 
members.

III. Compensation

    Members will neither be paid for their engagement in the 
performance of their duties as members of the Council nor will receive 
per diem and travel expenses.

IV. Nomination

    The Department 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 Section 
II. ''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, Friday, November 13, 2020.
    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.

Michael Fuchs,
Acting Director, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries, Industry & 
Analysis, International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2020-20302 Filed 9-14-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P