03-4610. Closed Meeting of the U.S. Automotive Parts Advisory Committee (APAC)

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION:

Announcement of meeting.

SUMMARY:

The APAC will have a closed meeting on March 13, 2003 at the U.S. Department of Commerce to discuss U.S.-made automotive parts sales in Japanese and other Asian markets.

DATES:

March 13, 2003.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Robert Reck, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 4036, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The U.S. Automotive Parts Advisory Committee (the “Committee”) advises U.S. Government officials on matters relating to the implementation of the Fair Trade in Automotive Parts Act of 1998 (Pub. L. 105-261). The Committee: (1) Reports to the Secretary of Commerce on barriers to sales of U.S.-made automotive parts and accessories in Japanese and other Asian markets; (2) reviews and considers data collected on sales of U.S.-made auto parts and accessories in Japanese and other Asian markets; (3) advises the Secretary of Commerce during consultations with other Governments on issues concerning sales of U.S.-made automotive parts in Japanese and other Asian markets; and (4) assists in establishing priorities for the initiative to increase sales of U.S.-made auto parts and accessories to Japanese markets, and otherwise provide assistance and direction to the Secretary of Commerce in carrying out the intent of that section; and (5) assists the Secretary of Commerce in reporting to Congress by submitting an annual written report to the Secretary on the sale of U.S.-made automotive parts in Japanese and other Asian markets, as well as any other issues with respect to which the Committee provides advice pursuant to its authorizing legislation. At the meeting, committee members will discuss specific trade and sales expansion programs related to automotive parts trade policy between the United States and Japan and other Asian markets.

The Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration, with the concurrence of the General Counsel formally determined on February 12, 2003, pursuant to Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, that the March 13th meeting of the Committee and of any subcommittee thereof, dealing with privileged or confidential commercial information may be exempt from the provisions of the Act relating to open meeting and public participation therein because these items are concerned with matters that are within the purview of 5 U.S.C. 552b (c)(4) and (9)(B). A copy of the Notice of Determination is available for public inspection and copying Room 5317, Main Commerce.

Dated: February 12, 2003.

Henry Misisco,

Director, Office of Automotive Affairs.