[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 162 (Wednesday, August 23, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57418-57419]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18076]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


U.S. Section Membership Opportunities to the United States-India 
CEO Forum

AGENCY: International Trade Administration (ITA), Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces an additional opportunity to apply for 
appointment to the U.S. Section of the U.S.-India CEO Forum (``Forum'') 
previously recruited via the notices published in the Federal Register 
February 18, 2022 and March 23, 2022. Effective from this notice, the 
U.S. Section membership cap has increased from 20 to approximately 25 
members. The U.S. Section currently has 18 members; thus, the 
Department is soliciting applications for up to approximately seven 
vacancies.

DATES: ITA will accept nominations for membership on the Forum for 
terms that will begin upon appointment and will expire on December 31, 
2024. Applications are due on September 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES: For inquiries and an application, please contact Noor 
Sclafani, International Trade Specialist, Office of South Asia, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, by email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Noor Sclafani, International Trade 
Specialist, Office of South Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
telephone: (202) 482-1421.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 2005, the U.S.-India CEO 
Forum brings together leaders of the respective business communities of 
the United States and India to discuss issues of mutual interest, 
particularly ways to strengthen the economic and commercial ties 
between the two countries, and to communicate their joint 
recommendations to the U.S. and Indian governments.
    The Forum has U.S. and Indian public and private sector co-chairs. 
The Secretary of Commerce serves as a public sector co-chair. Other 
senior U.S. Government officials may also participate in the Forum.
    The Forum includes U.S. and Indian private sector members, who are 
divided into two sections. The U.S. Section consists of approximately 
25 members representing the views and interests of the private sector 
in the United States. Each government appoints the members to its 
respective Section. The Secretary of Commerce appoints the U.S. Section 
and the U.S. Section's private sector co-chair. The Forum allows the 
private sector to develop and provide joint recommendations to the two 
governments that reflect private sector views, needs, concerns, and 
suggestions about the creation of an environment in which their 
respective private sectors can partner, thrive, and enhance bilateral 
commercial ties to expand trade and economic links between the United 
States and India. The Forum works in tandem with, and provides input 
to, the U.S.-India Commercial Dialogue.
    Candidates are currently being sought for membership in the U.S. 
Section. Each candidate must be the Chief Executive Officer, President, 
or equivalent chief executive of a company that is (1) U.S.-owned or 
controlled, (2) incorporated in or has its main headquarters or 
principal place of business in the United States, and (3) currently 
conducting business in both countries. Candidates must be U.S. citizens 
or otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States and be 
generally able to travel to India and locations in the United States to 
attend Forum meetings, as well as U.S. Section meetings. Travel and in-
person activities are contingent upon the safety and health conditions 
in the United States and India. Should safety or health conditions not 
be appropriate for travel and/or in-person activities, a meeting may be 
postponed or a virtual meeting may be scheduled instead. The candidate 
may not be a registered foreign agent, nor required to be registered, 
with the Department of Justice under the Foreign Agents Registration 
Act (FARA) of 1938, as amended.
    Applications for membership in the U.S. Section by eligible 
individuals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
    (1) A demonstrated commitment by the individual's company to the 
Indian market either through exports or investment.
    (2) A demonstrated strong interest in India and its economic 
development.
    (3) The ability to offer a broad perspective and business 
experience to the discussions.
    (4) The ability to address cross-cutting issues that affect the 
entire business community.
    (5) The ability to initiate and be responsible for activities in 
which the Forum will be active.
    (6) A demonstrated commitment by the individual and/or the 
individual's company, particularly through activities in India, to:
     support inclusive economic growth;
     uphold worker rights and labor standards in its global 
supply chain;
     strengthen the resiliency of U.S. supply chains;
     advance environmental sustainability; and
     address climate change.
    The U.S. Section of the Forum should include members who represent 
a diversity of business sectors. Applications from individuals 
representing companies in all sectors and of all sizes will be 
considered.
    ITA notes that the following sectors are the subject of on-going 
U.S.-India government engagements and is particularly seeking 
applicants representing:
     Healthcare in the context of tackling current and future 
public health emergencies and bolstering public health efforts; and
     Critical and emerging technologies that are the focus of 
the U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), 
announced by President Biden and Prime Minister Modi in May 2022 to 
elevate and expand the strategic technology partnership and defense 
industrial cooperation between the governments, businesses, and 
academic institutions of the United States and India.
    The Department of Commerce is committed to achieving diversity in 
the membership of the U.S. Section of the

[[Page 57419]]

Forum to the maximum extent permitted by law and consistent with the 
need for balanced industry representation. Where possible, the 
Department of Commerce will also consider the ethnic, racial, and 
gender diversity of the United States.
    U.S. Section members will receive no compensation for their 
participation in Forum-related activities. Individual members will be 
responsible for all travel and related expenses associated with their 
participation, including attendance at Forum and Section meetings. At 
the meetings, the U.S. and Indian Sections will be expected to offer 
recommendations to the U.S. and Indian governments. Only appointed 
members may participate in official Forum meetings; substitutes and 
alternates may not participate. U.S. Section members will serve until 
December 31, 2024. Members serve at the discretion of the Secretary.
    This notice supersedes the notices announcing membership 
opportunities for appointment, or reappointment, to the U.S. Section of 
the Forum published in the Federal Register on February 18, 2022 (87 FR 
9318) and March 23, 2022 (87 FR 16455).
    To be considered for membership in the U.S. Section, please submit 
the following information as instructed in the ADDRESSES and DATE 
captions above: Name and title of the applicant; the applicant 
company's name, place of incorporation, main headquarters address, and 
principal place of business address (if different); size of the 
company; size of company's export trade, investment, and nature of 
operations or interest in India; and a brief statement describing the 
candidate's qualifications that should be considered, including 
information about the candidate's ability to initiate and be 
responsible for activities in which the Forum will be active. The 
application should also include sufficient information to demonstrate 
the applicant's company is U.S.-owned or controlled, which may include, 
for example, an affirmation from the company that a majority of its 
voting stock is owned by U.S. citizens or other U.S. entities, an 
affirmation that a majority of its board of directors are U.S. 
citizens, or other indicia of U.S. ownership or control. Candidates who 
applied under a previous notice will need to submit a new application 
if they want to be considered. All candidates will be notified once 
selections have been made.

    Dated: August 17, 2023.
Valerie Dees,
Director of the Office of South Asia.
[FR Doc. 2023-18076 Filed 8-22-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P