[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3692-3694]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-00999]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-602]


Apparel: Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to 
the United States

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission

ACTION: Notice of investigation and scheduling of a public hearing.

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SUMMARY: Following receipt on December 20, 2023, of a request from the 
U.S. Trade Representative (the Trade Representative), under section 
332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, the U.S. International Trade 
Commission (Commission) instituted Investigation No. 332-602, Apparel: 
Export Competitiveness of Certain Foreign Suppliers to the United 
States. The Trade Representative requested that the Commission conduct 
an investigation and prepare a report that examines the export 
competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, 
India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, all of which are current leading 
suppliers to the U.S. market.

DATES: 
    February 21, 2024: Deadline for filing requests to appear at the 
public hearing.
    February 23, 2024: Deadline for filing prehearing briefs and 
statements.
    February 29, 2024: Deadline for filing electronic copies of oral 
hearing statements.
    March 7, 2024: Public hearing.
    March 22, 2024: Deadline for filing posthearing briefs, statements, 
and all other written submissions.
    August 30, 2024: Transmittal of Commission report to the Trade 
Representative.

ADDRESSES: All Commission offices, including the Commission's hearing 
rooms, are located in the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 
500 E Street SW, Washington, DC. All written submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The public record for this 
investigation may be viewed on the Commission's electronic docket 
(EDIS) at https://edis.usitc.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Project Leader Alissa Tafti (202-205-
3244 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c5a4a9acb6b6a4ebb1a4a3b1ac85b0b6acb1a6eba2aab3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9afbf6f3e9e9fbb4eefbfceef3daefe9f3eef9b4fdf5ec">[email protected]</span></a>) or Deputy Project Leaders Elizabeth 
Howlett (202-205-3458 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5f3a3336253e3d3a2b3771373028333a2b2b1f2a2c362b3c71383029"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="086d646172696a6d7c602660677f646d7c7c487d7b617c6b266f677e">[email protected]</span></a>) and Junie Joseph 
(202-205-3363 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#751f001b1c105b1f1a0610051d3500061c01165b121a03"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="600a150e09054e0a0f130510082015130914034e070f16">[email protected]</span></a>) for information specific to 
this investigation. For information on the legal aspects of this 
investigation, contact Brian Allen (202-205-3034 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7210001b131c5c131e1e171c3207011b06115c151d04"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1938398909fdf909d9d949fb18482988592df969e87">[email protected]</span></a>) or William Gearhart (202-205-3091 or 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#87f0eeebebeee6eaa9e0e2e6f5efe6f5f3c7f2f4eef3e4a9e0e8f1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b8cfd1d4d4d1d9d596dfddd9cad0d9caccf8cdcbd1ccdb96dfd7ce">[email protected]</span></a>) of the Commission's Office of the General 
Counsel. The media should contact Jennifer Andberg, Office of External 
Relations (202-205-3404 or <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d4beb1bababdb2b1a6fab5bab0b6b1a6b394a1a7bda0b7fab3bba2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="deb4bbb0b0b7b8bbacf0bfb0babcbbacb99eabadb7aabdf0b9b1a8">[email protected]</span></a>). Hearing-
impaired individuals are advised that information on this matter can be 
obtained by contacting the Commission's TDD terminal on 202-205-1810. 
General information concerning the Commission may be obtained by 
accessing its internet address (https://www.usitc.gov). Persons with 
mobility impairments who will need special assistance in gaining access 
to the Commission should contact the Office of the Secretary at 202-
205-2000.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Background: As requested by the Trade Representative, the 
Commission has instituted an investigation under section 332(g) of the 
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)) to provide statistical and 
qualitative information on factors underlying the export 
competitiveness of the apparel industries in Bangladesh, Cambodia, 
India, Indonesia, and Pakistan, all of which are current leading 
suppliers to the U.S. market. Specifically, the Trade Representative 
has requested that the Commission prepare a report that provides:
    <bullet> A comparison of the relative U.S. market share of each of 
the above-listed

[[Page 3693]]

suppliers currently (up to and including calendar year 2023, if 
available) and five (2018) and ten (2013) years ago; and an analysis of 
changing patterns in market share and trade including against other top 
suppliers, noting any significant shifts;
    <bullet> Country-specific profiles of the apparel industries in the 
above-listed countries, including an assessment of the export 
competitiveness of each country in the U.S. market, using available 
statistical and qualitative information and taking into account major 
factors of competitiveness, including trade, industry structure, price 
and costs, product differentiation, and reliability;
    [cir] The profiles should include information on investment, 
vertical integration, duty-free access to the U.S. market, wages and 
labor productivity, and sourcing of inputs;
    <bullet> A review of general literature on the key determinants 
driving export competitiveness in the global apparel industry, to the 
extent that it is relevant to conditions in the selected countries; and
    <bullet> To the degree that additional data relevant to 
competitiveness are identified by the review of the literature and are 
available, these should be released as a data appendix accompanying the 
report.
    As requested by the Trade Representative, the Commission will 
deliver the report no later than August 30, 2024. The Trade 
Representative asked that the Commission not include confidential 
business or national security classified information in its report. 
However, as detailed below, participants may submit confidential 
information to the Commission to inform its understanding of these 
issues, and such information will be protected in accordance with the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure. Participants are strongly 
encouraged to provide any supporting data and information along with 
their views.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with this 
investigation will be held beginning at 9:30 a.m., March 7, 2024, in 
the Main Hearing Room of the U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. The hearing can also be accessed 
remotely using the WebEx videoconference platform. A link to the 
hearing will be posted on the Commission's website at https://www.usitc.gov/calendarpad/calendar.html.
    Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed with the 
Secretary to the Commission no later than 5:15 p.m., February 21, 2024, 
in accordance with the requirements in the ``Written Submissions'' 
section below. Any requests to appear as a witness via videoconference 
must be included with your request to appear. Requests to appear as a 
witness via videoconference must include a statement explaining why the 
witness cannot appear in person; the Chairman, or other person 
designated to conduct the investigation, may at their discretion for 
good cause shown, grant such requests. Requests to appear as a witness 
via videoconference due to illness or a positive COVID-19 test result 
may be submitted by 3 p.m. the business day prior to the hearing.
    All prehearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 
5:15 p.m., February 23, 2024. To facilitate the hearing, including the 
preparation of an accurate written public transcript of the hearing, 
oral testimony to be presented at the hearing must be submitted to the 
Commission electronically no later than noon, February 29, 2024. All 
posthearing briefs and statements should be filed no later than 5:15 
p.m., March 22, 2024. Posthearing briefs and statements should address 
matters raised at the hearing. For a description of the different types 
of written briefs and statements, see the ``Definitions'' section 
below.
    In the event that, as of the close of business on February 21, 
2024, 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 nonparticipant should check the Commission website as 
indicated above for information concerning whether the hearing will be 
held.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, interested persons are invited to file written submissions 
concerning this investigation. All written submissions should be 
addressed to the Secretary, and should be received no later than 5:15 
p.m., March 22, 2024. All written submissions must conform to the 
provisions of section 201.8 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and 
Procedure (19 CFR 201.8), as temporarily amended by 85 FR 15798 (March 
19, 2020). Under that rule waiver, the Office of the Secretary will 
accept only electronic filings at this time. Filings must be made 
through the Commission's Electronic Document Information System (EDIS, 
https://edis.usitc.gov). No in-person paper-based filings or paper 
copies of any electronic filings will be accepted until further notice. 
Persons with questions regarding electronic filing should contact the 
Office of the Secretary, Docket Services Division (202-205-1802), or 
consult the Commission's Handbook on Filing Procedures.
    Definitions of types of documents that may be filed; Requirements: 
In addition to requests to appear at the hearing, this notice provides 
for the possible filing of four types of documents: prehearing briefs, 
oral hearing statements, posthearing briefs, and other written 
submissions.
    (1) Prehearing briefs refers to written materials relevant to the 
investigation and submitted in advance of the hearing, and includes 
written views on matters that are the subject of the investigation, 
supporting materials, and any other written materials that you consider 
will help the Commission in understanding your views. You should file a 
prehearing brief particularly if you plan to testify at the hearing on 
behalf of an industry group, company, or other organization, and wish 
to provide detailed views or information that will support or 
supplement your testimony.
    (2) Oral hearing statements (testimony) refers to the actual oral 
statement that you intend to present at the hearing. Do not include any 
confidential business information (CBI) in that statement. If you plan 
to testify, you must file a copy of your oral statement by the date 
specified in this notice. This statement will allow Commissioners to 
understand your position in advance of the hearing and will also assist 
the court reporter in preparing an accurate transcript of the hearing 
(e.g., names spelled correctly).
    (3) Posthearing briefs refers to submissions filed after the 
hearing by persons who appeared at the hearing. Such briefs: (a) should 
be limited to matters that arose during the hearing; (b) should respond 
to any Commissioner and staff questions addressed to you at the 
hearing; (c) should clarify, amplify, or correct any statements you 
made at the hearing; and (d) may, at your option, address or rebut 
statements made by other participants in the hearing.
    (4) Other written submissions refers to any other written 
submissions that interested persons wish to make, regardless of whether 
they appeared at the hearing, and may include new information or 
updates of information previously provided.
    In accordance with the provisions of section 201.8 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.8) the 
document must identify on its cover (1) the investigation number and 
title and the type of document filed (i.e., prehearing brief, oral 
statement of (name), posthearing brief, or written submission), (2) the 
name and signature of the person filing it, (3) the name of the 
organization that the submission is

[[Page 3694]]

filed on behalf of, and (4) whether it contains CBI. If it contains 
CBI, it must comply with the marking and other requirements set out 
below in this notice relating to CBI. Submitters of written documents 
(other than oral hearing statements) are encouraged to include a short 
summary of their position or interest at the beginning of the document, 
and a table of contents when the document addresses multiple issues.
    Confidential Business Information: Any submissions that contain CBI 
must also conform to the requirements of section 201.6 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). Section 
201.6 of the rules requires that the cover of the document and the 
individual pages be clearly marked as to whether they are the 
``confidential'' or ``nonconfidential'' version, and that the CBI is 
clearly identified by means of brackets. All written submissions, 
except for CBI, will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons.
    As requested by the Trade Representative, the Commission will not 
include any CBI in its report. However, all information, including CBI, 
submitted in this investigation may be disclosed to and used by: (i) 
the Commission, its employees and offices, and contract personnel (a) 
for developing or maintaining the records of this or a related 
proceeding, or (b) in internal investigations, audits, reviews, and 
evaluations relating to the programs, personnel, and operations of the 
Commission, including under 5 U.S.C. appendix 3; or (ii) U.S. 
government employees and contract personnel for cybersecurity purposes. 
The Commission will not otherwise disclose any CBI in a way that would 
reveal the operations of the firm supplying the information.
    Summaries of Written Submissions: Persons wishing to have a summary 
of their position included in the report should include a summary with 
their written submission on or before March 22, 2024, and should mark 
the summary as having been provided for that purpose. The summary 
should be clearly marked as ``summary for inclusion in the report'' at 
the top of the page. The summary may not exceed 500 words and should 
not include any CBI. The summary will be published as provided if it 
meets these requirements and is germane to the subject matter of the 
investigation. The Commission will list the name of the organization 
furnishing the summary and will include a link where the written 
submission can be found.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: January 16, 2024.
Lisa Barton,
Secretary to the Commission.
[FR Doc. 2024-00999 Filed 1-18-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P


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