01-5010. Proposed Collection; Comment Request; BISNIS FinanceLink

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 the continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES:

Written comments must be submitted on or before April 30, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Direct all written comments to Madeleine Clayton, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, [phone], Department of Commerce, Room 6086, 14th & 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: Trevor Gunn, RRB, Department of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230; phone [phone], fax [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The International Trade Administration's Business Information Service for the Newly Independent States offers business intelligence and counseling to U.S. companies seeking to export or invest in the countries of the former Soviet Union. One of the essential components of BISNIS's services is assisting companies in locating suitable financing for exports. Often, official sources, such as the Export-Import Bank of the United States, cannot handle all requests for a variety of reasons. FinanceLink is an internet-based service to facilitate contact between exporters and financing agencies. Exporters fill out a form giving relevant details about the desired transaction and submit it via Internet to BISNIS; BISNIS will, in turn, distribute the information collected to potential financing agencies. The intention is to provide a service that benefits both exporters and financing agencies.

II. Method of Collection

The request is sent via Internet to Department of Commerce, BISNIS Information Service for the Newly Independent States, Trade Finance Specialist.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0231.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.

Estimated Time per Response: 12 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 34 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1155—no capital costs are required.

IV. Requested 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 also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: February 26, 2001.

Madeleine Clayton,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer.