E7-24882. Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request: Annual Report from Foreign-Trade Zones

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal Agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before February 25, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at [e-mail]).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Christopher J. Kemp, [phone], [e-mail], fax number [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Foreign-Trade Zone Annual Report is the vehicle by which Foreign-Trade Zone grantees report annually to the Foreign-Trade Zones Board, pursuant to the requirements of the Foreign Trade Zones Act (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u). The annual reports submitted by grantees are the only complete source of compiled information on FTZ's. The data and information contained in the reports relates to international trade activity in FTZ's. The reports are used by the Congress and the Department to determine the economic effect of the FTZ program. The reports are also used by the FTZ Board and other trade policy officials to determine whether zone activity is consistent with U.S. international trade policy, and whether it is in the public interest. The public uses the information regarding activities carried on in FTZ's to evaluate their effect on industry sectors. The information contained in annual reports also helps zone grantees in their marketing efforts.

II. Method of Collection

The Foreign-Trade Zone Annual Report is collected from zone grantees in paper format. The Foreign-Trade Zones Board is in the process of evaluating possible optional Web-based alternatives to the paper collection method.

III. Data

OMB Control Number: 0625-0109.

Form Number: ITA 359P.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: State, local, or tribal government; not-for-profit institutions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 163.

Estimated Time Per Response: 38-211 hours (depending on size and structure of foreign-trade zones).

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 14,594.

Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $607,350.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information shall have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

Dated: December 18, 2007.

Gwellnar Banks,

Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.