International TradeNewsletter - May 14, 2002
In this Issue...
United States International Trade Commission (USITC)
May 14, 2002
- USITC to Permit Electronic Filings. The USITC proposes
to amend its rules of practice and procedure to give persons the option of
filing certain documents with the commission in electronic form instead of in
paper form only; to allow electronic service of documents in limited
circumstances; and to require persons to complete and submit a standard cover
sheet when filing documents, either in paper form or in electronic form.
USITC invites written comments on the proposed rules. To be assured of
consideration, written comments must be received by 5:15 p.m. on June 25,
2002. A signed original and eight copies of each set of comments on these
proposed amendments, along with a cover letter, should be submitted by mail or
hand delivery to Marilyn R. Abbott, Secretary, United States International
Trade Commission, 500 E Street, SW, Room 112, Washington, D.C. 20436. Further
information is available from: Irene H. Chen, Esq., Office of the General
Counsel, United States International Trade Commission, telephone
202-205-3112. Hearing-impaired individuals may obtain information at
202-205-1810. A copy of the proposed regulations are available at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=2002_register&docid=02-10346-filed.
- USITC Seeks Input on U.S.-Sub-Saharan Trade. The USITC
is inviting comments to assist in its investigation, U.S. Trade and Investment
with Sub-Saharan Africa (Inv. No. 332-415), which was requested by the USTR
and will result in five annual reports. The first two reports have been
released, USITC Publication 3371 and USITC Publication 3476. The USITC will
submit the third report to the USTR by December 10, 2002. The investigation
will be limited to the 48 countries of sub-Saharan Africa: Angola, Benin,
Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African
Republic, Chad, Comoros, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d'Ivoire,
Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana,
Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali,
Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Republic of the
Congo, Rwanda, S o Tom‚ and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. The USITC will not hold a public hearing in connection with this
investigation, but invites written submissions for the record in this
investigation. Written statements (one original and 14 copies) should be
submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than July 19, 2002. All
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be
available for public inspection. Written submissions should be addressed to
the Secretary, United States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, D.C. 20436. Further information on the scope of the investigation
and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of
investigation, dated May 3, 2002, which may be obtained from the ITC Internet
site at http://www.usitc.gov or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at
202-205-2000.
- USITC Report on GSP Modifications for AGOA Countries.
The USITC has released a public version of its confidential report to the
President concerning possible modifications of the Generalized System of
Preferences (GSP) for unwrought manganese flake (HTS subheading 8111.00.45
(pt.), and prepared or preserved pears (HTS subheading 2008.40.00), imported
from beneficiary countries under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S.
Generalized System of Preferences with Respect to Certain Products Imported
from AGOA Countries (Investigation No. 332-437), was requested by the U.S.
Trade Representative (USTR). A copy of the report may be obtained from the
ITC Internet site, http://www.usitc.gov, by calling 202-205-1809, or by
writing the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500
E Street SW, Washington, D.C. 20436. Requests also may be made by fax to
202-205-2104.