Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 9, 2008 / Notices 52265 

transfer programs on this distribution. 

They also need improved and expanded 

data on the income and general 

economic and financial situation of the 

U.S. population. The SIPP has provided 

these kinds of data on a continuing basis 

since 1983, permitting levels of 

economic well-being and changes in 

these levels to be measured over time. 

The survey is molded around a 

central ‘‘core’’ of labor force and income 

questions that remain fixed throughout 

the life of a panel. The core is 

supplemented with questions designed 

to answer specific needs, such as 

estimating eligibility for government 

programs, examining pension and 

health care coverage, and analyzing 

individual net worth. These 

supplemental questions are included 

with the core and are referred to as 

‘‘topical modules.’’

The topical modules for the 2008 

Panel Wave 2 are Work History, 

Education and Training History, Marital 

History, Fertility History, Migration 

History, Household Relationships, and 

Tax Rebate. These topical modules were 

previously conducted in the SIPP 2004 

Panel Wave 2 instrument, with the 

exception of the Tax Rebate topical 

module, which was previously 

conducted in the SIPP 2008 Wave 1 

instrument. Wave 2 interviews will be 

conducted from January through April 

2009. 

The SIPP is designed as a continuing 

series of national panels of interviewed 

households that are introduced every 

few years, with each panel having 

durations of approximately 3 to 4 years. 

The 2008 Panel is scheduled for four 

years and four months and will include 

thirteen waves, which will begin 

September 1, 2008. All household 

members 15 years old or over are 

interviewed using regular proxyrespondent rules. They are interviewed 

a total of thirteen times (thirteen waves), 

at 4-month intervals, making the SIPP a 

longitudinal survey. Sample people (all 

household members present at the time 

of the first interview) who move within 

the country and reasonably close to a 

SIPP primary sampling unit (PSU) will 

be followed and interviewed at their 

new address. Individuals 15 years old or 

over who enter the household after 

Wave 1 will be interviewed; however, if 

these people move, they are not 

followed unless they happen to move 

along with a Wave 1 sample individual. 

The OMB has established an 

Interagency Advisory Committee to 

provide guidance for the content and 

procedures for the SIPP. Interagency 

subcommittees were set up to 

recommend specific areas of inquiries 

for supplemental questions. The Census 

Bureau developed the 2008 Panel Wave 

2 topical modules through consultation 

with the SIPP OMB Interagency 

Subcommittee. The questions for the 

topical modules address major policy 

and program concerns as stated by this 

subcommittee and the SIPP Interagency 

Advisory Committee. 

Data provided by the SIPP are being 

used by economic policymakers, the 

Congress, state and local governments, 

and federal agencies that administer 

social welfare or transfer payment 

programs, such as the Department of 

Health and Human Services and the 

Department of Agriculture. 

The knowledge gained from these 

‘‘core’’ items will be of limited value 

without information about how the 

respondents reached their status at the 

time of the Wave 1 interview. The core, 

therefore, is also supplemented with 

questions designed to answer specific 

needs, such as estimating eligibility for 

government programs, examining 

pension and health care coverage, and 

analyzing financing of post-secondary 

education. These supplemental 

questions are included with the core 

and are referred to as ‘‘topical 

modules.’’ The questions in these 

topical modules will help us reduce, if 

not eliminate, the ‘‘left-censoring’’

analysis problem that occurs in nearly 

all longitudinal surveys and cited as a 

serious concern by our data users. Leftcensoring refers to the experiences of 

individuals (or other units of 

longitudinal analysis) prior to the start 

of the longitudinal study period. 

The questions for these topical 

modules address major policy and 

program concerns. Each component is 

intended to provide explanatory data 

describing likely relationships between 

earlier life-course experiences and 

current socioeconomic status. Personal 

history data, when linked with data 

derived from the panel interviews, yield 

a powerful set of explanatory indicators, 

which help analysts more fully 

understand associations between social, 

demographic, and economic events. 

Affected Public: Individuals or 

households. 

Frequency: Every 4 months. 

Respondent’s Obligation: Voluntary. 

Legal Authority: Title 13, United 

States Code, Section 182. 

OMB Desk Officer: Brian HarrisKojetin, (202) 395–7314. 

Copies of the above information 

collection proposal can be obtained by 

calling or writing Diana Hynek, 

Departmental Paperwork Clearance 

Officer, (202) 482–0266, Department of 

Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and 

Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 

DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 

dhynek@doc.gov). 

Written comments and 

recommendations for the proposed 

information collection should be sent 

within 30 days of publication of this 

notice to Brian Harris-Kojetin, OMB 

Desk Officer either by fax (202–395–

7245) or e-mail (bharrisk@omb.eop.gov). 

Dated: September 3, 2008. 

Gwellnar Banks, 

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief 

Information Officer. 

[FR Doc. E8–20782 Filed 9–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–07–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

Bureau of Industry and Security 

Emerging Technology and Research 

Advisory Committee; Notice of Open 

Meeting 

The Emerging Technology and 

Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) 

will meet on September 23, 2008, at 

10:30 a.m., in the Herbert C. Hoover 

Building, Room 4830, 14th Street 

between Constitution and Pennsylvania 

Avenues, NW., Washington, DC. The 

Committee advises the Office of the 

Assistant Secretary for Export 

Administration on technical questions 

that affect controls on research and 

emerging technology activities, 

including those related to deemed 

exports. 

Agenda 

1. Welcome and introductions. 

2. Remarks from Bureau of Industry 

and Security (BIS) management. 

3. Current deemed export control 

policy issues and initiatives, including 

BIS’s notice of inquiry published on 

May 19, 2008 (73 FR 28795) and 

extended on August 22, 2008 (73 FR 

49645) requesting comments on two 

Deemed Export Advisory Committee 

recommendations. 

4. Emerging technology and research 

and development issues. 

5. U.S. competitiveness. 

6. Public comments. 

7. Priorities and workplan. 

The open session will be accessible 

via teleconference to 20 participants on 

a first come, first serve basis. To join the 

conference, submit inquiries to Ms. 

Yvette Springer at 

Yspringer@bis.doc.gov, no later than 

September 16, 2008. 

The meeting will be open to the 

public and a limited number of seats 

will be available. To the extent that time 

permits, members of the public may 

present oral statements to the 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES
52266 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 9, 2008 / Notices 

Committee. Written statements may be 

submitted at any time before or after the 

meeting. However, to facilitate 

distribution of public presentation 

materials to the Committee members, 

presenters should forward the public 

presentation materials one week prior to 

the meeting date to Yvette Springer at 

Yspringer@bis.doc.gov. 

For more information contact Yvette 

Springer on (202) 482–2813. 

Dated: September 4, 2008. 

Yvette Springer, 

Committee Liaison Officer. 

[FR Doc. E8–20904 Filed 9–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–JT–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

Notice of 2nd Afghanistan International 

Carpet Fair 

AGENCY: Department of Commerce. 

ACTION: Notice. 

Mission Statement 

2nd Afghanistan International Carpet 

Fair, October 26–30, 2008 

I. Mission Description 

The International Trade 

Administration of the Department of 

Commerce is organizing the second U.S. 

carpet trade mission to Kabul, 

Afghanistan for the Afghanistan 

International Carpet Fair on October 26–

30, 2008. The mission will be open to 

U.S. rug businesses that have 

demonstrated experience in the carpet 

sector and are interested in exploring 

trade and investment opportunities in 

Afghanistan’s carpet sector. Afghanistan 

Investment and Reconstruction Task 

Force Director, Susan Hamrock Mann, 

will lead a delegation of U.S.-based 

executives of U.S. firms interested in 

pursuing business in Afghanistan’s 

carpet sector. The mission will include 

participation in the Carpet Fair, 

matchmaking, and networking with 

Afghan rug vendors and manufacturers. 

The mission will reaffirm the U.S. 

Government’s support of bilateral 

relations, address the Department’s 

commitment to helping Afghanistan 

develop sectors in which it has a 

comparative advantage, and seek to 

expand opportunities for U.S. 

companies in Afghanistan. 

II. Commercial Setting 

The mission will take place during a 

crucial time in Afghanistan’s economic 

reemergence. Approximately 6 million 

Afghans are employed in the carpet 

sector directly or indirectly. Afghanistan 

has a comparative advantage in 

producing hand woven carpets, putting 

this sector on the cutting edge of 

Afghanistan’s reintegration into the 

global economy. Afghanistan’s carpets 

have a rich legacy of artistry and 

craftsmanship, which has been handed 

down through many generations. Each 

type of carpet is unique to the location 

in which it was produced and inspired. 

Afghanistan produces various types of 

carpets woven out of wool, silk, and 

cotton. 

Due to the current lack of finishing 

facilities, Afghanistan sends more than 

eighty percent of its carpets to Pakistan, 

where they are finished and labeled 

‘‘made in Pakistan.’’ This Trade Mission 

will enable delegates to explore 

opportunities for investing in carpet 

producing facilities and exporting 

textile equipment to Afghanistan. As 

such, the Mission could play a valuable 

role in preserving the brand identity of 

Afghan carpets, by helping producers to 

finish and export their own production. 

The Afghan Government is helping 

Afghan carpet producers connect their 

craftsmanship to the world. In 

conjunction with the U.S. Department of 

Commerce, the Government of 

Afghanistan organized three previous 

delegations of Afghan carpet producers 

to visit the United States. In July 2006, 

a delegation visited major retailers and 

importers in New York, Atlanta, and 

Washington, DC. In January 2007, a 

second delegation attended the 

AmericasMart International Area Rug 

Market in Atlanta, where Afghanistan’s 

carpets were part of a major cultural 

showcase. In January 2008, a third 

delegation participated in the Las Vegas 

Market at the World Market Center, 

where Afghan carpets and cultural items 

were prominently displayed at the 

show. 

This 2nd Afghanistan International 

Carpet Fair will provide an opportunity 

for Afghan carpet producers and U.S. 

buyers to network, create business 

relationships, and allow U.S. buyers to 

explore investment opportunities in the 

sector. The Trade Mission presents a 

unique opportunity for seasoned U.S. 

professionals to partner with Afghan 

carpet producers as Afghanistan strives 

to re-establish its leadership position in 

the global carpet business. 

III. Mission Goals 

The mission aims to further U.S. 

commercial policy objectives and to 

advance specific U.S. business interests 

in the U.S. and Afghan carpet sectors. 

The mission will: 

• Create an opportunity for U.S. 

companies to meet and network with 

Afghan carpet producers; 

• Assist Afghan carpet producers in 

creating long-term relationships with 

U.S. companies; 

• Assist Afghan carpet producers 

with finding distributors for their 

carpets in the U.S.; 

• Assess the commercial climate of 

Afghanistan’s carpet sector as well as 

export and investment opportunities in 

Afghanistan; and 

• Encourage continued progress in 

economic development in Afghanistan. 

IV. Mission Scenario 

This mission will enable participants 

to gain access to the Afghan carpet 

market on a large scale. The mission 

will include VIP participation in the 

carpet fair. Participants will be part of 

the carpet fair’s opening night-VIP 

reception with high-level Afghan 

government officials. The event will 

provide opportunities to network with 

at least 70 different Afghan carpet 

vendors at the show. The show will 

feature a broad range of carpets from 

across Afghanistan’s diverse landscape. 

Networking will also include one-onone meetings between the U.S. business 

delegates and Afghan companies. 

V. Tentative Timetable 

The precise schedule will depend on 

the availability of local government and 

business officials and the specific goals 

of the mission participants. The 

tentative trip itinerary will be as 

follows: 

Tuesday, October 26 

Arrive in Kabul; 

Attend opening reception for the 

Afghanistan International Carpet Fair, 

Serena Hotel; 

Meet with high-level U.S. and Afghan 

Government officials. 

Wednesday, October 27 

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet 

Fair; 

Networking between buyers and sellers; 

One-on-one meetings between buyers 

and sellers. 

Thursday, October 28–Friday, October 

29 

Attend Afghanistan International Carpet 

Fair; 

Networking between buyers and sellers; 

One-on-one meetings between buyers 

and sellers. 

Saturday, October 30 

Depart Kabul (TBC). 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES