Notice of Request for Information for the Proposed United States-East African Community Commercial Dialogue, 66582-66583 [2012-27088]

Download as PDF 66582 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 215 / Tuesday, November 6, 2012 / Notices functions solely as an advisory committee advising the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development and administration of programs to expand U.S. exports of civil nuclear goods and services for use by the Department of Commerce in its role as a member of the Civil Nuclear Trade Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee. CINTAC was chartered in 2008 and is now in its third two-year iteration. The third charter of the committee will be comprised of up to forty executives representing companies and associations from across the United States’ civil nuclear supply chain. Dated: October 31, 2012. Edward A. O’Malley, Director, Office of Energy and Environmental Industries. [FR Doc. 2012–26999 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Notice of Request for Information for the Proposed United States-East African Community Commercial Dialogue U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration. ACTION: Notice of Request for Information. AGENCY: In June 2012, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, the EAC member country Governments, and the Government of the United States agreed to explore establishing a Commercial Dialogue as part of the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment Partnership (‘‘Partnership’’). The U.S.-EAC Commercial Dialogue will be a consultative mechanism through which the United States, the EAC Secretariat, and EAC member country governments, will work to advance priorities that will strengthen the U.S.-EAC trade and investment relationship, as well as support the EAC’s regional integration process. The Market Access and Compliance division of the International Trade Administration, through its Office of Africa, seeks public comment and recommendations concerning those areas upon which the Commercial Dialogue should focus its efforts in order to reflect the priorities and concerns of the business community, civil society, and other interested stakeholders. Proposed activities and areas of focus for the Commercial Dialogue are described in the Supplementary Information below. erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:06 Nov 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 Please send comments no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on November 19, 2012. ADDRESSES: You may send comments to Ludwika Alvarez, East Africa Desk Officer, Office of Africa, at Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov and Kate Innelli, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance, at Kate.Innelli@trade.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ludwika Alvarez, East Africa Desk Officer, Office of Africa, U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone: 202–482–4228, and email: Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov and Kate Innelli, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance, telephone: 202–482– 3290, and email: Kate.Innelli@trade.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: International investors have recognized the EAC as the fastest growing economic region and the most economically attractive regional block in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under the EAC Customs Union (launched in 2005), the five member countries of the EAC (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) have established a common external tariff; agreed to eliminate customs duties and remove non-tariff barriers on trade between member countries; made plans to harmonize procedures on customs, anti-dumping, and safeguards; and agreed to undertake common export promotion programs. The EAC member countries are also in the process of establishing a Common Market (launched in 2010), which aims to provide for free movement of goods, labor, services and capital among the EAC member countries. In June 2011, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk presented the EAC Secretary General with a proposal to enhance trade and investment at the U.S.-Sub-Saharan African Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) in Zambia. On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration, the EAC Secretary General, and Ministers of Trade from the EAC member countries announced their resolve to pursue a new Trade and Investment Partnership between the United States and the EAC, which would include exploring: (1) A regional investment treaty, (2) a trade facilitation agreement, (3) continued trade capacity building and (4) a Commercial Dialogue [https:// www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/ press-releases/2012/june/jointstatement-US-East-African-CommunityTrade-Investment-Partnership]. This Partnership is part of the White House Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and builds on the existing trade and investment relationship, including AGOA and the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment Framework Agreement [https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/ default/files/docs/africa_strategy_2.pdf]. The Department of Commerce is leading U.S. efforts to establish a Commercial Dialogue with the EAC, which would be the first U.S. Commercial Dialogue with Sub-Saharan African partners and the first U.S. Commercial Dialogue with a regional customs union. The Commercial Dialogue will serve as an inter-governmental consultative forum, reflecting private sector priorities and input. The Commercial Dialogue will also promote business opportunities in key sectors linked to EAC development goals; foster an open and predictable business climate by providing a forum for addressing nontariff trade barriers and other constraints to trade; support the EAC’s integration process by facilitating stronger private sector ties between companies in the United States and the EAC and throughout the EAC region; and increase private sector input into the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment Partnership. The EAC Secretariat, member countries’ Ministries of Trade and the Department of Commerce are in the process of formalizing the Commercial Dialogue and developing an appropriate structure and agenda that would drive its activities. Additional information, including a draft concept paper for the proposed Commercial Dialogue, can be found at https://www.trade.gov/ EastAfricanCommunity (link expires on November 30, 2012). The Department of Commerce is considering proposing two principal areas of focus for work under the Commercial Dialogue. First, Commerce plans to propose the promotion of business opportunities in key growth sectors, including the energy, transportation infrastructure, information and communication technology, and agribusiness sectors. A second proposed area of focus will be efforts to foster an open and predictable business climate by addressing: trade facilitation, customs and logistics; intellectual property rights; standards; and transparency. In developing a focused and strategic agenda for the work of the proposed Commercial Dialogue, Commerce is requesting comments on the above proposed areas of focus and on the development of an agenda for the proposed Commercial Dialogue from U.S. companies, U.S. trade associations (including American Chambers of Commerce in East Africa), E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 215 / Tuesday, November 6, 2012 / Notices and EAC Diaspora organizations in the United States. In submitting comments, please address: Your company’s, your member companies’ or your organization’s (hereafter ‘‘You’’ or ‘‘Your’’) experiences and business activities in the above referenced areas of focus; Your viewpoint on any other appropriate areas of focus for the proposed Commercial Dialogue; Your perspective on priorities and challenges You face with respect to doing business in the EAC, especially with respect to the above referenced areas of focus; and Your proposals for actions or activities that Commerce could undertake in working with our EAC partners under the proposed Commercial Dialogue to promote business opportunities or to foster an open and predictable business climate. Please include with comments the name of your company or organization submitting comments, as well as email and telephone number for an appropriate contact person with the company or organization. The Department of Commerce anticipates continuing to need input on the agenda and focus of the U.S.-EAC Commercial Dialogue going forward. Please feel free to contact the Office of Africa to provide advice and input on the U.S.-EAC trade and investment relationship or the U.S.-EAC Commercial Dialogue even after the close of the comment period. Dated: November 1, 2012. ˜ Michael C. Camunez, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance. [FR Doc. 2012–27088 Filed 11–5–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–HE–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee International Trade Administration, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of Solicitation of Nominations for Membership on the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee. AGENCY: The Department of Commerce (the Department), as of September 2012, has rechartered the Civil Nuclear Trade Advisory Committee (CINTAC) and is seeking nominations for 40 members to be appointed for the new two-year charter term. The purpose of the CINTAC is to advise the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development erowe on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:06 Nov 05, 2012 Jkt 229001 and administration of programs to expand United States exports of civil nuclear goods and services in accordance with applicable United States laws and regulations, for use by the Department as chair of the Civil Nuclear Trade Working Group (CINTWG) of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee (TPCC). DATES: All applications for immediate consideration for appointment must be received by close of business on December 7, 2012. After that date, ITA will continue to accept applications under this notice for a period of up to two years from the deadline to fill any vacancies that may arise. ADDRESSES: All nominations should be submitted in pdf or MS Word format via email to David.Kincaid@trade.gov, via FAX to 202–482–5665, or via mail to David Kincaid, Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, Room 4053, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Kincaid, Office of Energy & Environmental Industries, Room 4053, U.S. Department of Commerce, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone 202–482– 1706; fax 202–482–5665; email David.Kincaid@trade.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Background and Authority The Department of Commerce, as of September 6, 2012, has rechartered the CINTAC in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, for another two-year term, to be concluded September 6, 2014. The CINTAC functions solely as an advisory committee advising the Secretary of Commerce regarding the development and administration of programs to expand U.S. exports of civil nuclear goods and services for use by the Department of Commerce in its role as a member of the Civil Nuclear Trade Working Group of the Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee. In particular, the Committee advises on matters including, but not limited to: (1) Trade policy development and negotiations relating to U.S. civil nuclear exports; (2) The effect of U.S. and foreign government policies, regulations, programs, and practices on the export of U.S. civil nuclear goods and services; (3) The competitiveness of U.S. industry and its ability to compete for civil nuclear products and services opportunities in international markets, including specific problems in exporting, and provide specific PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 66583 recommendations regarding U.S. Government and public/private actions to assist civil nuclear companies in expanding their exports; (4) The identification of priority civil nuclear products and services markets with the potential for high immediate returns for U.S. exports, as well as emerging markets with a longer-term potential for U.S. exports; (5) Strategies to increase private sector awareness and effective use of U.S. Government export promotion programs, and recommendations on how U.S. Government programs may be more efficiently designed and coordinated; (6) The development of complementary industry and trade association export promotion programs, including ways for greater or more effective coordination of U.S. Government efforts with private sector organizations’ civil nuclear industry export promotion efforts; and (7) The development of U.S. Government programs to encourage producers of civil nuclear products and services to enter new foreign markets, in connection with which the CINTAC may advise on how to gather, disseminate, and promote awareness of information on civil nuclear exports and related trade issues. II. Membership and Nominations The CINTAC shall consist of approximately 40 members appointed by the Secretary, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance and based on their ability to carry out the objectives of the CINTAC. Members shall represent U.S. entities involved in the export of civil nuclear products and services and reflect the diversity of this sector, including in terms of entities’ size and geographic location, and shall be drawn from U.S. civil nuclear manufacturing and services companies, U.S. utilities, U.S. trade associations, and other U.S. organizations in the U.S. civil nuclear sector. The Secretary shall appoint to the Committee at least one individual representing each of the following: a. Civil nuclear manufacturing and services companies; b. Small businesses; c. Utilities; d. Trade associations in the civil nuclear sector; and e. Private sector organizations involved in strengthening the export competitiveness of U.S. civil nuclear products and services. Members shall serve in a representative capacity, expressing the views and interests of a U.S. entity or organization, as well as its particular E:\FR\FM\06NON1.SGM 06NON1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 215 (Tuesday, November 6, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 66582-66583]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-27088]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Notice of Request for Information for the Proposed United States-
East African Community Commercial Dialogue

AGENCY: U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade 
Administration.

ACTION: Notice of Request for Information.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In June 2012, the East African Community (EAC) Secretariat, 
the EAC member country Governments, and the Government of the United 
States agreed to explore establishing a Commercial Dialogue as part of 
the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment Partnership (``Partnership''). The 
U.S.-EAC Commercial Dialogue will be a consultative mechanism through 
which the United States, the EAC Secretariat, and EAC member country 
governments, will work to advance priorities that will strengthen the 
U.S.-EAC trade and investment relationship, as well as support the 
EAC's regional integration process. The Market Access and Compliance 
division of the International Trade Administration, through its Office 
of Africa, seeks public comment and recommendations concerning those 
areas upon which the Commercial Dialogue should focus its efforts in 
order to reflect the priorities and concerns of the business community, 
civil society, and other interested stakeholders. Proposed activities 
and areas of focus for the Commercial Dialogue are described in the 
Supplementary Information below.

DATES: Please send comments no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight 
Time (EDT) on November 19, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may send comments to Ludwika Alvarez, East Africa Desk 
Officer, Office of Africa, at Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov and Kate 
Innelli, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Market Access 
and Compliance, at Kate.Innelli@trade.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ludwika Alvarez, East Africa Desk 
Officer, Office of Africa, U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone: 202-
482-4228, and email: Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov and Kate Innelli, 
Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Market Access and 
Compliance, telephone: 202-482-3290, and email: Kate.Innelli@trade.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: International investors have recognized the 
EAC as the fastest growing economic region and the most economically 
attractive regional block in Sub-Saharan Africa. Under the EAC Customs 
Union (launched in 2005), the five member countries of the EAC (Kenya, 
Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi) have established a common 
external tariff; agreed to eliminate customs duties and remove non-
tariff barriers on trade between member countries; made plans to 
harmonize procedures on customs, anti-dumping, and safeguards; and 
agreed to undertake common export promotion programs. The EAC member 
countries are also in the process of establishing a Common Market 
(launched in 2010), which aims to provide for free movement of goods, 
labor, services and capital among the EAC member countries.
    In June 2011, United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk presented 
the EAC Secretary General with a proposal to enhance trade and 
investment at the U.S.-Sub-Saharan African Trade and Economic 
Cooperation Forum (AGOA Forum) in Zambia. On June 15, 2012, the Obama 
Administration, the EAC Secretary General, and Ministers of Trade from 
the EAC member countries announced their resolve to pursue a new Trade 
and Investment Partnership between the United States and the EAC, which 
would include exploring: (1) A regional investment treaty, (2) a trade 
facilitation agreement, (3) continued trade capacity building and (4) a 
Commercial Dialogue [https://www.ustr.gov/about-us/press-office/press-releases/2012/june/joint-statement-US-East-African-Community-Trade-Investment-Partnership]. This Partnership is part of the White House 
Strategy Toward Sub-Saharan Africa and builds on the existing trade and 
investment relationship, including AGOA and the U.S.-EAC Trade and 
Investment Framework Agreement [https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/docs/africa_strategy_2.pdf].
    The Department of Commerce is leading U.S. efforts to establish a 
Commercial Dialogue with the EAC, which would be the first U.S. 
Commercial Dialogue with Sub-Saharan African partners and the first 
U.S. Commercial Dialogue with a regional customs union.
    The Commercial Dialogue will serve as an inter-governmental 
consultative forum, reflecting private sector priorities and input. The 
Commercial Dialogue will also promote business opportunities in key 
sectors linked to EAC development goals; foster an open and predictable 
business climate by providing a forum for addressing non-tariff trade 
barriers and other constraints to trade; support the EAC's integration 
process by facilitating stronger private sector ties between companies 
in the United States and the EAC and throughout the EAC region; and 
increase private sector input into the U.S.-EAC Trade and Investment 
Partnership. The EAC Secretariat, member countries' Ministries of Trade 
and the Department of Commerce are in the process of formalizing the 
Commercial Dialogue and developing an appropriate structure and agenda 
that would drive its activities.
    Additional information, including a draft concept paper for the 
proposed Commercial Dialogue, can be found at https://www.trade.gov/EastAfricanCommunity (link expires on November 30, 2012).
    The Department of Commerce is considering proposing two principal 
areas of focus for work under the Commercial Dialogue. First, Commerce 
plans to propose the promotion of business opportunities in key growth 
sectors, including the energy, transportation infrastructure, 
information and communication technology, and agribusiness sectors. A 
second proposed area of focus will be efforts to foster an open and 
predictable business climate by addressing: trade facilitation, customs 
and logistics; intellectual property rights; standards; and 
transparency. In developing a focused and strategic agenda for the work 
of the proposed Commercial Dialogue, Commerce is requesting comments on 
the above proposed areas of focus and on the development of an agenda 
for the proposed Commercial Dialogue from U.S. companies, U.S. trade 
associations (including American Chambers of Commerce in East Africa),

[[Page 66583]]

and EAC Diaspora organizations in the United States.
    In submitting comments, please address: Your company's, your member 
companies' or your organization's (hereafter ``You'' or ``Your'') 
experiences and business activities in the above referenced areas of 
focus; Your viewpoint on any other appropriate areas of focus for the 
proposed Commercial Dialogue; Your perspective on priorities and 
challenges You face with respect to doing business in the EAC, 
especially with respect to the above referenced areas of focus; and 
Your proposals for actions or activities that Commerce could undertake 
in working with our EAC partners under the proposed Commercial Dialogue 
to promote business opportunities or to foster an open and predictable 
business climate. Please include with comments the name of your company 
or organization submitting comments, as well as email and telephone 
number for an appropriate contact person with the company or 
organization.
    The Department of Commerce anticipates continuing to need input on 
the agenda and focus of the U.S.-EAC Commercial Dialogue going forward. 
Please feel free to contact the Office of Africa to provide advice and 
input on the U.S.-EAC trade and investment relationship or the U.S.-EAC 
Commercial Dialogue even after the close of the comment period.

    Dated: November 1, 2012.
Michael C. Camu[ntilde]ez,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Market Access and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2012-27088 Filed 11-5-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-HE-P
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