[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 90 (Wednesday, May 10, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24884-24885]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-11493]



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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-362]


U.S.-Africa Trade Flows and Effects of the Uruguay Round 
Agreements and U.S. Trade and Development Policy

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and request for written 
submissions.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: April 27, 1995.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on March 31, 1995, of a request from the 
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted 
investigation No. 332-362, U.S.-Africa Trade Flows and Effects of the 
Uruguay Round Agreements and U.S. Trade and Development Policy. The 
USTR letter also requested that the Commission prepare its first annual 
report under this investigation not later than November 15, 1995, and 
provide an update of the report annually thereafter for a period of 4 
years.

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Cathy Jabara, Office of Industries (202-
205-3309) or Jean Harman, Office of Industries (292-205-3313), or 
William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091) for 
information on legal aspects. The media should contact Margaret 
O'Laughlin, Office of Public Affairs (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired 
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810).
    Background: The USTR, in his letter dated March 30, 1995, requested 
that the Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g), conduct an investigation to provide the 
President a report containing the following:
    1. A profile of the structure of U.S.-Africa trade flows over the 
1990-94 period in the following major sectors: agriculture, forest 
products, textiles and apparel, energy, chemicals, minerals and metals, 
machinery and equipment, electronics technology, miscellaneous 
manufactures and services;
    2. A summary of U.S. Government trade and development programs 
(e.g., investments, trade finance, trade facilitation, trade promotion, 
foreign development assistance, etc.) in Africa, including dollar 
amounts on an annual basis, during the 1990-94 period;
    3. A summary of the literature and private sector views relevant to 
assessing the impact of the Uruguay Round Agreements on developing 
countries and Africa in particular; and
    4. An assessment of any effects of the Uruguay Round Agreements, 
and of U.S. trade and development policy for Africa, on U.S.-Africa 
trade flows.
    As requested by the USTR, the Commission will limit its study to 
the following countries in Sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin, Botswana, 
Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, 
Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, 
Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, 
Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, 
Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, 
Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, 
Swaziland, Togo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
    The USTR letter notes that section 134 of the Uruguay Round 
Agreements Act (URAA), P.L. 103-465, directs the President to develop a 
comprehensive trade and development policy for the countries of Africa. 
The President is also to report to the Congress annually over the next 
5 years on the steps taken to carry out that mandate. The Statement of 
Administrative Action that was approved by the Congress with the URAA 
states that the President will direct the International Trade 
Commission to submit within 12 months following enactment of the URAA 
into law, and annually for the 4 years thereafter, a report providing 
(1) an analysis of U.S.-Africa trade flows, and (2) an assessment of 
any effects of the Uruguay Round Agreements, and of U.S. trade and 
development policy for Africa, on such trade flows.
    The USTR letter states that as part of its trade and development 
policy for Africa, the Administration will be examining all measures 
that will foster economic development in Africa through increased trade 
and sustained economic reforms. The USTR asks the Commission in its 
report to provide, to the extent practicable, any readily available 
information on the role of regional integration in Africa's trade and 
development and on Africa's progress in implementing economic reforms.
    Public Hearing: A public hearing in connection with the 
investigation will be held at the U.S. International Trade 
[[Page 24885]] Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC, 
beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 25, 1995. All persons shall have the 
right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present information and to 
be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed with 
the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E 
Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 p.m., July 13, 
1995. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) should be filed 
not later than 5:15 p.m., July 13, 1995; the deadline for filing post-
hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 1, 1995.
    In the event that, as of the close of business on July 13, 1995, no 
witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will be 
cancelled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-2000) after July 13, 1995, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.
    Written Submissions: In lieu of or in addition to participating in 
the hearing, interested parties are invited to submit written 
statements concerning the matters to be addressed by the Commission in 
its report on this investigation. Commercial or financial information 
that 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 
Sec. 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 in the Office of the Secretary of 
persons in the Office of the Secretary to the Commission. To be assured 
of consideration by the Commission, written statements relating to the 
Commission's report should be submitted at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than August 1, 1995. All submissions 
should be addressed to the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436.
    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.

    Issued: May 5, 1995.

    By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 95-11493 Filed 5-9-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P