[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 24510-24511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-12182]



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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-367]


General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of South 
American Trading Partners' Schedules of Commitments

AGENCY: International Trade Commission, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: May 6, 1996.

SUMMARY: Following receipt on April 9, 1996, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
instituted Investigation No. 332-367, General Agreement on Trade in 
Services: Examination of South American Trading Partners' Schedules of 
Commitments, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 
1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on service industries may be 
obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of Industries (202-205-3438) 
and Mr. Christopher Melly, Office of Industries (202-205-3461); 
economic aspects, from Mr. William Donnelly, Office of Economics (202-
205-3223); and legal aspects, from Mr. William Gearhart, Office of the 
General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. 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

    As requested by the USTR in a letter dated April 5, 1996, the 
Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, has 
instituted an investigation and will prepare a report that (1) examines 
the content of foreign schedules of commitments under the General 
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), explaining the commitments in 
non-technical language; and (2) seeks to identify the potential 
benefits and limitations of foreign commitments. Also as requested, the 
Commission will focus on sector-specific commitments scheduled by 
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, 
and Venezuela with respect to the following industries:
    <bullet> distribution services (defined as wholesaling, retailing, 
and franchising services);
    <bullet> education services;
    <bullet> communication services (defined as enhanced 
telecommunication, courier, and audiovisual services);
    <bullet> health care services;
    <bullet> professional services (defined as accounting, advertising, 
and legal services);
    <bullet> architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) 
services;
    <bullet> land-based transport services (defined as rail and 
trucking services); and
    <bullet> travel and tourism.
    In addition, the Commission will examine horizontal commitments 
relevant to the specified industries, such as those regarding 
investment and temporary entry and stay of foreign workers. As 
requested by the USTR, the Commission plans to deliver its report to 
the USTR by December 13, 1996.
    The investigation is a follow-on to Commission Investigation No. 
332-358, General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of Major 
Trading Partners' Schedules of Commitments, requested by the USTR on 
December 28, 1994, also under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930. 
In that report, the Commission examined the commitments scheduled by 
the European Union (EU), Japan, Canada, and Mexico with respect to the 
industries delineated above. The initial report, USITC Publication 
2940, was published in December 1995, and is available on the ITC 
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov or ftp://ftp.usitc.gov).

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on July 18, 1996. 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, U.S. International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., July 5, 1996. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., July 5, 1996. The deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., August 1, 
1996. In the event that, as of the close of business on July 5, 1996, 
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 Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-1816) after July 5, 1996, 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 section 201.6 of the 
Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 C.F.R. 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission at the

[[Page 24511]]

earliest practical date and should be received no later than the close 
of business on August 1, 1996. All submissions should be addressed to 
the Secretary, U.S. 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.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: May 7, 1996.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 96-12182 Filed 5-14-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P