[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 102 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 33858-33867]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-13169]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Generalized System of Preferences (GSP): Notice of Review 
Timetable and Pubic Hearings Regarding Additional Product Designation 
for Beneficiaries of the African Growth and Opportunity Act

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice lists products that the Trade Policy Staff 
Committee (TPSC) will be reviewing for possible duty-free importation 
from certain sub-Saharan African countries as provided under the 
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which Congress recently 
enacted. The notice provides the dates and places the TPSC will hold 
public hearings on this subject, explains how to make written comments 
on products included in the

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list, and provides the deadline for these submissions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: GSP Subcommittee, Office of the United 
States Trade Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Room 518, Washington, 
DC 20508. Telephone: (202) 395-6971.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Congress established the Generalized System 
of Preferences (GSP) program in Title V of the Trade Act of 1974, as 
amended (``Trade Act'') (19 U.S.C. 2461 et seq.). Under the GSP 
program, the President may exempt certain products of designated 
developing countries from import duties. The President implemented the 
program by Executive Order 11888 of November 24, 1975, and has modified 
it through later Executive Orders and Presidential Proclamations.
    On May 18, 2000, the President signed into law the Trade and 
Development Act of 2000, which includes the AGOA. The AGOA amends the 
GSP program, authorizing the President to provide GSP (duty-free) 
treatment for selected products from designated sub-Saharan African 
countries if, after receiving advice from the U.S. International Trade 
Commission, he determines that the products are not import-sensitive in 
the context of imports from these countries. The AGOA names those 
countries whose products the President may designate for duty-free 
importation.

I. TPSC Review of Products To Be Selected for Duty-Free Treatment

    This notice lists by Harmonized Tariff System numbers those 
products not currently receiving GSP treatment that the Congress 
determined are eligible for designation under the AGOA for such 
treatment when imported from sub-Saharan African countries. The TPSC's 
GSP Subcommittee will review this list, after holding hearings and 
receiving written comments from the public and advice from the 
International Trade Commission, to decide which of the products the 
TPSC will recommend to the President for GSP treatment if imported from 
countries designated as AGOA beneficiaries.
    Listing the products proposed for GSP eligibility does not indicate 
any opinion about the merits of granting eligibility for these 
products. Placement on the list indicates only that the products have 
been found eligible for review by the GSP Subcommittee and the TPSC, 
and that such review will take place.
    The GSP Subcommittee of the TPSC invites submissions supporting or 
opposing the granting of GSP eligibility for any article on the 
attached list. All such submissions should include an original and 
thirteen (13) copies in English and conform to 15 CFR 2007, 
particularly 2007.0, 2007.1(a)(1), 2007.1(a)(2), and 2007.1(a)(3). All 
submissions should identify the subject article(s) in terms of the 
current HTS nomenclature and should be provided by 5 p.m., July 5, 
2000.
    All communications about public comments should be addressed to: 
Chairman of the GSP Subcommittee, Office of the United States Trade 
Representative, 600 17th Street, NW, Room 518, Washington, DC 20508. 
Telephone number: (202) 395-6971. Questions may be directed to any 
staff member of the GSP Information Center. Public versions of all 
documents relating to this review will be available for inspection by 
appointment in the USTR public reading room. Appointments may be made 
from 10 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. by calling (202) 395-6186.
    Submissions that are granted ``business confidential'' status 
pursuant to 15 CFR 2203.6, and other qualifying information submitted 
in confidence pursuant to 15 CFR 2007.7, will not be available for 
public inspection. If a document contains such business confidential 
information, an original and thirteen (13) copies of the business 
confidential versions of the document along with an original and 
thirteen (13) copies of the non-confidential version must be submitted. 
The document that contains business confidential information should be 
clearly marked ``business confidential'' at the top and bottom of each 
page. The version that does not contain business confidential 
information (the public version) should also be clearly marked at the 
top and bottom of every page (either ``public version'' or 
``nonconfidential'').

II. Requests To Participate in the Public Hearings

    The GSP Subcommittee will hold hearings on September 7, 2000 and, 
if needed, on September 8, 2000 beginning at 10 a.m. in the Truman Room 
of the White House Conference Center, 726 Jackson Place, NW., 
Washington, DC. The hearings will be open to the public, and a 
transcript of the hearings will be available for public inspection or 
it can be purchased from the reporting company. No electronic media 
coverage will be allowed.
    All interested parties wishing to make an oral presentation at the 
hearings must submit the name, address, telephone number, and fax 
number of the witness or witnesses representing their organization to 
the Chairman of the GSP Subcommittee by 5 p.m. August 9, 2000 as well 
as an original and thirteen (13) copies (in English) or all written 
briefs or statements. Oral testimony before the GSP Subcommittee will 
be limited to five minute presentations that summarize or supplement 
information contained in the briefs or statements submitted for the 
record.
    If, by the close of business on August 9, 2000 no witnesses are 
scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be canceled. Any 
person interested in attending the hearing as an observer or non-
participant may call the GSP Information Office (202) 395-6971 after 
August 9, 2000 to determine whether a hearing will be held.
    Post-hearing and rebuttal written briefs or statements will be 
accepted if they conform with the regulations cited above and if an 
original and thirteen (13) copies in English are submitted no later 
than 5 p.m. September 27, 2000. Parties not wishing to appear at the 
public hearings may submit pre-hearing written briefs or statements by 
August 9, 2000, and may submit post-hearing and rebuttal written briefs 
or statements by September 27, 2000. Comments by interested persons on 
the USITC Report prepared as part of this product review should be 
submitted as an original and thirteen (13) copies, in English, by 5 
p.m. October 20, 2000.
    On behalf of the President and in accordance with section 111 of 
AGOA (Section 506A of the Trade Act), on May 22, 2000 the list of 
products proposed for duty-free treatment eligibility under the GSP was 
furnished to the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) to secure 
its advice on (1) the probable economic effect of the elimination of 
U.S. import duties under GSP on U.S. industries producing like or 
directly competitive products, and on consumers; and (2) to the extent 
possible, the level of U.S. sensitivity to imports of such Sub-Saharan 
products.

Announcement of Products To Be Accepted for Designation as Eligible 
Articles for GSP Purposes When Imported Only From the Beneficiaries 
of the African Growth and Opportunity Act

    The AGOA authorizes the President to provide GSP (duty-free) 
treatment for selected products from designated sub-Saharan African 
countries if, after receiving advice from the U.S. International Trade 
Commission, he determines that the products are not import-sensitive in 
the context of imports from these countries. The list of products 
designated as eligible for duty-free treatment under the GSP as a 
result

[[Page 33860]]

of the review will be announced this winter.

H. John Rosenbaum,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Trade and Development.

Attachment: List of HTS Numbers of the Products Proposed for Duty-Free 
Treatment Eligibility Under GSP

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[FR Doc. 00-13169 Filed 5-24-00; 8:45 am]
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