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
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 175 / Tuesday, September 9, 2008 / Notices 52267 

1Petitioners are the United States Steel 

Corporation (U.S. Steel), Nucor Corporation 

(Nucor), and Mittal Steel USA ISG, Inc. (Mittal Steel 

USA). 

Participation Requirements 

All parties interested in participating 

in the 2nd U.S. Carpet Trade Mission to 

the Afghanistan International Carpet 

Fair in Kabul, Afghanistan must 

complete and submit an application 

package for consideration by the 

Department of Commerce. All 

applicants will be evaluated on their 

ability to meet certain conditions and 

best satisfy the selection criteria as 

outlined below. This trade mission is 

designed for a minimum of 5 and a 

maximum of 10 qualified companies. 

Participating companies must be 

incorporated or otherwise organized in 

the United States. 

There are no fees for participation in 

this mission. Lodging expenses 

including three nights in the four-star 

Serena Hotel in Kabul will be covered 

by the Export Promotion Agency of 

Afghanistan. Necessary transportation 

including airport pickup will be 

provided by the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, 

Afghanistan. Expenses for travel to 

Kabul, meals, and incidentals will be 

the responsibility of each mission 

participant. 

Conditions for Participation: 

• An applicant must submit a 

completed and signed mission 

application and supplemental 

application materials, including 

adequate information on the company’s: 

Products and/or services, primary 

market objectives, and goals for 

participation. If we receive an 

incomplete application, we may either 

reject the application, request additional 

information, or take the lack of 

information into account when we 

evaluate the applications. 

Selection Criteria for Participation: 

• Consistency of company’s goals 

with the scope and desired outcome of 

the mission; 

• Capacity and intent to import goods 

from Afghanistan, export equipment 

consistent with the scope and desired 

outcome of the mission, or capacity and 

intent to invest in Afghanistan. Timely 

receipt of the company’s signed and 

completed application, participation 

agreement. 

Additionally, U.S. exporters applying 

for this mission, such as carpet finishing 

machinery manufacturers or 

distributors, must certify that the 

company’s products or services are 

either produced in the United States, or, 

if not, are marketed under the name of 

a U.S. firm and have at least fifty-one 

percent U.S. content. The production 

and content requirements do not apply 

to U.S. buyer and U.S. investor 

applicants. 

Referrals from political organizations 

and any documents, including the 

application, containing references to 

partisan political activities (including 

political contributions) will be removed 

from an applicant’s submission and not 

considered during the selection process. 

VIII. Timeframe for Recruitment and 

Applications 

Mission recruitment will be 

conducted in an open and public 

manner, including publication in the 

Federal Register, posting on the 

Commerce Department trade mission 

calendar (http://www.ita.doc.gov/ 

doctm/tmcal.html) and other Internet 

Web sites, press releases to general and 

trade media, direct mail, broadcast fax, 

notices by industry trade associations 

and other multiplier groups, and 

publicity at industry meetings, 

symposia, conferences, and trade shows. 

The Office of Business Liaison and the 

International Trade Administration will 

explore and welcome outreach 

assistance from other interested 

organizations, including other U.S. 

Government agencies. 

Applications for the Mission will be 

made available July XX, 2008 through 

August 1, 2008. Applications can be 

completed on-line on the Afghanistan 

Investment and Reconstruction Task 

Force Web site at http://www.trade.gov/ 

afghanistan or can be obtained by 

contacting the U.S. Department of 

Commerce Afghanistan Investment and 

Reconstruction Task Force at 202–482–

1812, AfghanInfo@mail.doc.gov, or via 

the contact information below. 

The application deadline is August 1, 

2008. Completed applications should be 

submitted to the Afghanistan 

Investment and Reconstruction Task 

Force. Applications received after 

August 1, 2008 will be considered only 

if space and scheduling constraints 

permit. 

Disclaimer: Trade mission members 

participate in the trade mission and 

undertake related travel at their own 

risk and are advised to obtain insurance 

accordingly. Any question regarding 

insurance coverage must be resolved by 

the participant and its insurer of choice. 

The U.S. Government does not make 

any representations or guarantees as to 

the safety or security of participants. 

Companies should consult the State 

Department’s travel warning for 

Afghanistan: http://travel.state.gov/ 

travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_921.html. ITA 

will coordinate with the U.S. Embassy 

in Kabul to arrange for transportation of 

the mission participants to and from the 

airport and hotel. Transportation for 

certain optional activities, including 

visits to commercial sites in Kabul, may 

be provided by the Export Promotion 

Agency of Afghanistan. The hotel that 

will be the primary venue for the 

mission is a luxury hotel and does have 

strong security measures in place. 

The U.S. Government does not make 

any representations or guarantees as to 

the commercial success of businesses 

which participate in this trade mission. 

Contact Information: Noor Alam, 

Afghanistan Investment and 

Reconstruction Task Force, U.S. 

Department of Commerce, Washington, 

DC 20230, Tel: (202) 482–1812, Fax: 

(202) 482–0980, e-mail: 

AfghanInfo@ita.doc.gov. 

Noor Alam, 

International Trade Specialist, Afghanistan 

Investment and Reconstruction Task Force, 

U.S. Department of Commerce. 

[FR Doc. E8–20917 Filed 9–8–08; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P 

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

International Trade Administration 

[A–580–816] 

Certain Corrosion-Resistant Carbon 

Steel Flat Products From the Republic 

of Korea: Notice of Preliminary Results 

of the Antidumping Duty 

Administrative Review 

AGENCY: Import Administration, 

International Trade Administration, 

Department of Commerce. 

SUMMARY: In response to requests from 

petitioners,1 the Department of 

Commerce (the Department) is 

conducting the fourteenth 

administrative review of the 

antidumping order on corrosionresistant carbon steel flat products 

(CORE) from the Republic of (Korea). 

This review covers seven manufacturers 

and exporters (collectively, the 

respondents) of the subject 

merchandise: LG Chem., Ltd. (LG), 

Haewon MSC Co. Ltd. (Haewon), 

Dongkuk Industries Co., Ltd. (Dongkuk), 

Dongbu Steel Co., Ltd., (Dongbu); 

Hyundai HYSCO (HYSCO); Pohang Iron 

& Steel Co., Ltd. (POSCO) and Pohang 

Coated Steel Co., Ltd. (POCOS) 

(collectively, the POSCO Group); and 

Union Steel Manufacturing Co., Ltd. 

(Union). The period of review (POR) is 

August 1, 2006, through July 31, 2007. 

We preliminarily determine that during 

the POR, Dongbu, HYSCO, the POSCO 

Group, and Union, made sales of subject 

merchandise at less than normal value 

(NV). In addition, based on the 

preliminary results for the respondents 


jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES