Foreign-Trade Zone 158-Vicksburg, Mississippi; Application for Production Authority; MTD Consumer Group Inc., (Textile Grass-Catcher Bags), Verona, Mississippi, 15360 [2018-07324]

Download as PDF 15360 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Foreign-Trade Zones Board [B–20–2018] daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with NOTICES Foreign-Trade Zone 158—Vicksburg, Mississippi; Application for Production Authority; MTD Consumer Group Inc., (Textile Grass-Catcher Bags), Verona, Mississippi An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) Board by the Greater Mississippi Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc., grantee of FTZ 158, requesting production authority on behalf of MTD Consumer Group Inc. (MTD) located in Verona, Mississippi. The application conforming to the requirements of the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 CFR 400.23) was docketed on April 4, 2018. The MTD facility (over 1,000 employees) is located within Site 17 of FTZ 158. The facility is used for the production of walk-behind lawn mowers using textile grass-catcher bags. In 2016, MTD requested FTZ production authority in a notification proceeding (15 CFR 400.22 and 400.37). After an initial review, the requested production authority was approved subject to a restriction requiring that textile grasscatcher bags be admitted in domestic/ duty-paid status (Doc. B–65–2016, 82 FR 6489, January 19, 2017). This pending application seeks authority to use foreign-status textile grass-catcher bags in the production of walk-behind mowers. As requested, production under FTZ procedures could exempt MTD from customs duty payments on the textile grass-catcher bags used in export production. The company estimates that less than ten percent of MTD’s walk-behind lawn mowers are exported. On its domestic sales, MTD would be able to choose the duty rate during customs entry procedures that applies to walk-behind lawn mowers (duty-free) for the textile grass-catcher bags (duty rate 3.8%). MTD would be able to avoid duty on textile grasscatcher bags which become scrap/waste. Customs duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign-status production equipment. The request indicates that the savings from FTZ procedures would help improve the plant’s international competitiveness. In accordance with the FTZ Board’s regulations, Elizabeth Whiteman of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the facts and information presented in the application and case record and to report findings and recommendations to the FTZ Board. Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions shall be VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:56 Apr 09, 2018 Jkt 244001 addressed to the FTZ Board’s Executive Secretary at the address below. The closing period for their receipt is June 11, 2018. Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period to June 25, 2018. A copy of the application will be available for public inspection at the Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, Room 21013, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230–0002, and in the ‘‘Reading Room’’ section of the FTZ Board’s website, which is accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz. For further information, contact Elizabeth Whiteman at elizabeth.whiteman@trade.gov or 202– 482–0473. Dated: April 4, 2018. Andrew McGilvray, Executive Secretary. [FR Doc. 2018–07324 Filed 4–9–18; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Request for Applicants for the Appointment to the United States-India CEO Forum International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: This notice announces membership opportunities for appointment, or reappointment, as U.S. representatives to the U.S.-India CEO Forum. SUMMARY: Applications should be received no later than May 25, 2018. ADDRESSES: Please send requests for consideration to Noor Sclafani at the Office of South Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce, either by email at noor.sclafani@trade.gov or by mail to U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Room 2310, Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Noor Sclafani, International Trade Specialist, Office of South Asia, U.S. Department of Commerce, telephone: (202) 482–1421. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 2005, the U.S.-India CEO Forum, brings together leaders of the respective business communities of the United States and India to discuss issues of mutual interest, particularly DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 ways to strengthen the economic and commercial ties between the two countries, and to communicate their joint recommendations to the U.S. and Indian governments. The Forum will have U.S. and Indian private and public sector co-chairs. The Secretary of Commerce will serve as the U.S. Government chair. Other senior U.S. Government officials may also participate in the Forum. The Forum will also include U.S. and Indian private sector members, who will be divided into two sections. The U.S. Section will consist of up to 20 members representing the views and interests of the private sector business community in the United States. Each government will appoint the members to its respective Section. The Secretary of Commerce will appoint the U.S. Section and the U.S. Section’s private sector co-chair. The Forum will allow private sector members to develop and provide recommendations to the two governments and their senior officials that reflect private sector views, needs, concerns, and suggestions about the creation of an environment in which their respective private sectors can partner, thrive, and enhance bilateral commercial ties to expand trade and economic links between the United States and India. The Forum will work in tandem with, and provide input to, the government-to-government U.S.India Commercial Dialogue. U.S. industry candidates are currently being sought for membership. Each candidate must be the Chief Executive Officer or President (or have a comparable level of responsibility) of a U.S.-owned or controlled company that is incorporated in and has its main headquarters located in the United States and is currently conducting business in both countries. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or otherwise legally authorized to work in the United States and be able to travel to India and locations in the United States to attend Forum meetings as well as U.S. Section meetings. The candidate may not be a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended. Applications for membership in the U.S. Section by eligible individuals will be evaluated based on the following criteria: • A demonstrated commitment by the individual’s company to the Indian market either through exports or investment. • A demonstrated strong interest in India and its economic development. • The ability to offer a broad perspective and business experience to the discussions. E:\FR\FM\10APN1.SGM 10APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 10, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Page 15360]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07324]



[[Page 15360]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Foreign-Trade Zones Board

[B-20-2018]


Foreign-Trade Zone 158--Vicksburg, Mississippi; Application for 
Production Authority; MTD Consumer Group Inc., (Textile Grass-Catcher 
Bags), Verona, Mississippi

    An application has been submitted to the Foreign-Trade Zones (FTZ) 
Board by the Greater Mississippi Foreign-Trade Zone, Inc., grantee of 
FTZ 158, requesting production authority on behalf of MTD Consumer 
Group Inc. (MTD) located in Verona, Mississippi. The application 
conforming to the requirements of the regulations of the FTZ Board (15 
CFR 400.23) was docketed on April 4, 2018.
    The MTD facility (over 1,000 employees) is located within Site 17 
of FTZ 158. The facility is used for the production of walk-behind lawn 
mowers using textile grass-catcher bags. In 2016, MTD requested FTZ 
production authority in a notification proceeding (15 CFR 400.22 and 
400.37). After an initial review, the requested production authority 
was approved subject to a restriction requiring that textile grass-
catcher bags be admitted in domestic/duty-paid status (Doc. B-65-2016, 
82 FR 6489, January 19, 2017). This pending application seeks authority 
to use foreign-status textile grass-catcher bags in the production of 
walk-behind mowers. As requested, production under FTZ procedures could 
exempt MTD from customs duty payments on the textile grass-catcher bags 
used in export production. The company estimates that less than ten 
percent of MTD's walk-behind lawn mowers are exported. On its domestic 
sales, MTD would be able to choose the duty rate during customs entry 
procedures that applies to walk-behind lawn mowers (duty-free) for the 
textile grass-catcher bags (duty rate 3.8%). MTD would be able to avoid 
duty on textile grass-catcher bags which become scrap/waste. Customs 
duties also could possibly be deferred or reduced on foreign-status 
production equipment. The request indicates that the savings from FTZ 
procedures would help improve the plant's international 
competitiveness.
    In accordance with the FTZ Board's regulations, Elizabeth Whiteman 
of the FTZ Staff is designated examiner to evaluate and analyze the 
facts and information presented in the application and case record and 
to report findings and recommendations to the FTZ Board.
    Public comment is invited from interested parties. Submissions 
shall be addressed to the FTZ Board's Executive Secretary at the 
address below. The closing period for their receipt is June 11, 2018. 
Rebuttal comments in response to material submitted during the 
foregoing period may be submitted during the subsequent 15-day period 
to June 25, 2018.
    A copy of the application will be available for public inspection 
at the Office of the Executive Secretary, Foreign-Trade Zones Board, 
Room 21013, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, 
Washington, DC 20230-0002, and in the ``Reading Room'' section of the 
FTZ Board's website, which is accessible via www.trade.gov/ftz.
    For further information, contact Elizabeth Whiteman at 
[email protected] or 202-482-0473.

    Dated: April 4, 2018.
Andrew McGilvray,
Executive Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2018-07324 Filed 4-9-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DS-P
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