[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8036-8037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-4286]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation No. 332-379]
Likely Impact of Providing Quota-Free and Duty-Free Entry To
Textiles and Apparel From Sub-Saharan Africa
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of hearing.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EFFECTIVE DATE: February 10, 1997.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on January 14, 1997 of a request from the
Committee on Ways and Means of the U.S. House of Representatives for an
investigation under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1332 (g)), the Commission instituted Investigation No. 332-379, Likely
Impact of Providing Quota-Free and Duty-Free Entry to Textiles and
Apparel from Sub-Saharan Africa. As requested by the Committee, the
Commission will provide the following in its report--
(1) A review of any relevant literature on this issue prepared by
governmental and non-governmental organizations;
(2) An assessment of the competitiveness of the textile and apparel
industries in Sub-Saharan African countries, to the extent possible;
(3) A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the economic
impact on U.S. producers, workers, and consumers of quota-free entry
for imports of textiles and apparel from Sub-Saharan Africa. This
assessment will address the potential shifting of global textile and
apparel production facilities to Sub-Saharan Africa that might occur as
a result of the changes contained in proposed legislation [H.R. 4198,
African Growth and Opportunity: The End of Dependency Act of 1996,
introduced in the 104th Congress by Mssrs. Crane, Rangel and
McDermott]; and
(4) A qualitative and quantitative assessment of the economic
impact on U.S. producers, workers, and consumers of an elimination of
the exclusion of textile and apparel products from Sub-Saharan African
countries, from coverage under the Generalized System of Preferences in
addition to quota-free entry for imports from these same countries.
The Committee also requested that the Commission attempt to
identify the
[[Page 8037]]
specific types of textiles and apparel products that are most likely to
be produced in Sub-Saharan African countries, and which would have the
most significant impact on U.S. producers, workers, and consumers. As
requested by the Committee, the Commission will seek to provide its
advice not later than September 2, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lee Cook, Office of Industries (202-
205-3471) or Mary Elizabeth Sweet, Office of Industries (202-205-3455),
or William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel (202-205-3091) for
information on legal aspects. The media should contact 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
Among the provisions in H.R. 4198 is one relating to increased U.S.
market access for textiles and apparel from Sub-Saharan Africa.
According to the Committee's request, Sub-Saharan Africa supplied less
than 1 percent, or about $400 million, of U.S. imports of textiles and
apparel in 1995. H.R. 4198 provides that, until imports of these
articles from Sub-Saharan Africa reach a much higher level, the
transitional safeguards provided in Article 6 of the Uruguay Round
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing should not apply. In addition, H.R.
4198 would eliminate existing U.S. quotas on imports of textiles and
apparel from Sub-Saharan Africa. The Sub-Saharan African countries
currently covered by U.S. textiles and apparel quotas are Kenya and
Mauritius.
The Sub-Saharan African countries covered in this investigation
include the following 48 countries: Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina
Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad,
Comoros, 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, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe,
Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan,
Swaziland, Togo, Tanzania, Uganda, Zaire, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Public Hearing
A public hearing in connection with this investigation is scheduled
to begin at 9:30 a.m. on May 1, 1997, at the U.S. International Trade
Commission Building, 500 E Street SW., Washington, D.C. All persons
have the right to appear by counsel or in person, to present
information, and to be heard. Persons wishing to appear at the public
hearing should file a letter asking to testify with the Secretary, U.S.
International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW., Washington, DC 20436,
not later than the close of business (5:15 p.m.) on April 17, 1997. In
addition, persons testifying should file prehearing briefs (original
and 14 copies) with the Secretary by the close of business on April 17,
1997. In the event that no requests to appear at the hearing are
received by the close of business on April 17, 1997, the hearing will
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary (202-205-1816) after
April 17, 1997 to determine whether the hearing will be held.
Posthearing briefs/statements and other written submissions should be
filed not later than the close of business on May 8, 1997.
Written Submissions
In lieu of or in addition to appearing at the public hearing,
interested persons are invited to submit written statements concerning
the investigation. Written statements should be received by the close
of business on May 8, 1997. Commercial or financial information which 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 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 for inspection by interested
persons. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary at the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C.
Issued: February 10, 1997
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 97-4286 Filed 2-20-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
