[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 220 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68157-68158]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-29072]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-420]


Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized 
System of Preferences With Respect to Certain Products Imported From 
India

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.

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SUMMARY: On October 31, 2000, the Commission received a request from 
the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for an investigation 
under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 for the purpose of 
providing advice concerning possible modifications to the Generalized 
System of Preferences (GSP) with respect to certain products imported 
from India.
    Following receipt of the request and in accordance therewith, the 
Commission instituted investigation No. 332-420 in order to provide 
advice as to whether any industry in the United States is likely to be 
adversely affected by a waiver of the competitive need limits specified 
in section 503(c)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974, with respect

[[Page 68158]]

to the HTS subheadings \1\ listed below imported from India:
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    \1\ See USTR Federal Register notice of November 1, 2000 (65 FR 
65370) for article description.

7113.19.25        7418.19.10
7113.19.29         9405.50.30
7113.19.50

    With respect to the competitive need limit in section 
503(c)(2)(A)(i)(I) of the 1974 Act, the Commission, as requested, will 
use the dollar value limit of $95,000,000.
    As requested by USTR, the Commission will seek to provide its 
advice not later than February 6, 2001.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 6, 2000.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: (1) Project Manager, Eric Land (202-
205-3349), (2) Deputy Project Manager, Cynthia B. Foreso (202-205-
3348). The above persons are in the Commission's Office of Industries. 
For information on legal aspects of the investigation contact William 
Gearhart of the Commission's Office of the General Counsel at 202-205-
3091.

Background

    The subject articles the product of India are currently ineligible 
for duty-free treatment under the GSP program because imports from 
India exceed the competitive need limits. The USTR letter noted that as 
a result of a White House Initiative with India, the Trade Policy Staff 
Committee (TPSC) recently announced in the Federal Register the 
initiation of a review to consider modification of the GSP with respect 
to such products imported from India. Modifications to the GSP which 
may result from this review will be announced in the spring of 2001.

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with this investigation is scheduled 
to begin at 9:30 a.m. on December 13, 2000, at the U.S. International 
Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC. All 
persons have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present 
information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public 
hearing should file a letter with the Secretary, United States 
International Trade Commission, 500 E St., SW., Washington, DC 20436, 
not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) on November 27, 2000. 
In addition, persons appearing should file prehearing briefs (original 
and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the close of business on November 
29, 2000. Posthearing briefs should be filed with the Secretary by 
close of business on December 21, 2000. In the event that no requests 
to appear at the hearing are received by the close of business on 
November 27, 2000, the hearing will be canceled. Any person interested 
in attending the hearing as an observer or non-participant may call the 
Secretary to the Commission (202-205-1816) after November 28, 2000 to 
determine whether the hearing will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the public hearing, 
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close 
of business on December 21, 2000. Commercial or financial information 
which a submitter desires the Commission to treat as confidential must 
be submitted on separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked 
``Confidential Business Information'' at the top. All submissions 
requesting confidential treatment must conform with the requirements of 
section 201.6 of the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 
CFR 201.6). All written submissions, except for confidential business 
information, will be made available for inspection by interested 
persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the 
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. The Commission's rules do not 
authorize filing of submissions with the Secretary by facsimile or 
electronic means. Hearing-impaired individuals are advised that 
information on this matter can be obtained by contacting our TDD 
terminal on (202) 205-1810.

    Issued: November 7, 2000.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-29072 Filed 11-13-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P