[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64274-64275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30886]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-399]
General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by African Trading Partners
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 6, 1998.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on October 15, 1998, of a request from the
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission
instituted investigation No. 332-399, General Agreement on Trade in
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by
African Trading Partners, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on service industries may be
obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of Industries (202-205-3438)
and Mr. William Chadwick, Office of Industries (202-205-3390); economic
aspects, from Mr. Hugh Arce, Office of Economics (202-205-3234); and
legal aspects, from Mr. William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel
(202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. Margaret O'Laughlin,
Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810).
Background
As requested by the USTR in a letter dated October 9, 1998, the
Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, has
instituted an investigation and will prepare a report that (1) examines
the content of schedules of commitments under the General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS) for the countries specified below, explaining
the commitments in non-technical language; and (2) seeks to identify
the potential benefits and limitations of foreign commitments. The
Commission will examine sector-specific commitments scheduled by Cote
D'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with respect to
the following industries:
Distribution services (defined as wholesaling, retailing,
and franchising services);
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Education services;
Communication services (defined as basic and enhanced
telecommunication, audiovisual, and courier services);
Health care services;
Professional services (defined as accounting, advertising,
and legal services);
Architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC)
services;
Land-based transport services (defined as rail and
trucking services); and
travel and tourism services.
In addition, the Commission will examine horizontal commitments
relevant to the specified industries, such as those regarding
investment, and temporary entry and stay of foreign workers. As
requested by the USTR, the Commission plans to deliver its report to
the USTR by October 15, 1999.
The investigation is the fifth in a series of Commission
investigations requested by USTR. In the earlier reports, the
Commission examined the commitments scheduled by selected trading
partners with respect to all the industries delineated above, with the
sole exception of basic telecommunication services. The four previous
reports are: General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Eastern Europe, the European Free
Trade Association, and Turkey (investigation No. 332-385, USITC
Publication 3127, September 1998); General Agreement on Trade in
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Asia
Pacific Trading Partners (investigation No. 332-374, USITC Publication
3053, August 1997); General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination
of South American Trading Partners' Schedules of Commitments
(investigation No. 332-367, USITC Publication 3007, December 1996); and
General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of Major Trading
Partners' Schedules of Commitments (investigation No. 332-358, USITC
Publication 2940, December 1995). These publications are available on
the ITC Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW,
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 2, 1999. All persons
shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing
should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15
p.m., May 17, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies)
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 17, 1999. The deadline
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 15,
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on May 17, 1999,
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission
(202-205-1816) after May 17, 1999, to determine whether the hearing
will be held.
Written Submissions
In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing,
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this
investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on
separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business
Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential
treatment must conform with the requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date
and should be received no later than the close of business on 4 June
15, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC
20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions
with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.
By order of the Commission.
Issued: November 10, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-30886 Filed 11-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
