[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31068-31069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14754]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Annual Survey of Selected Services Transactions With Unaffiliated
Foreign Persons
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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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 comment on proposed and/or 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 August 5, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington DC 20230.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should
be directed to: R. David Belli, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Economic Analysis, BE-50(OC), Washington, DC 20230 (Telephone: 202-606-
9800)
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The BE-22 Annual Survey of Selected Services Transactions With
Unaffiliated Foreign Persons will obtain data on transactions in
selected services between U.S. and unaffiliated foreign persons in 1997
and subsequent years. The data from this survey will update the results
of the 1996 BE-20 benchmark survey of selected services, and will
provide sample data for the derivation of universe estimates for years
between quinquennial benchmark surveys. The information obtained from
the survey is critically needed for tracking international transactions
in new, growing, and volatile categories of services. The data are
necessary for compiling monthly estimates of U.S. international
transactions in goods and services, the U.S. balance of payments,
[[Page 31069]]
and the national income and product accounts. The data also will
support U.S. trade policy initiatives, including trade negotiations.
To bring the annual BE-22 survey into conformity with the 1996 BE-
20 benchmark survey, which closed several gaps in coverage of
international services transactions, and to provide annual coverage of
a few types of services covered by the previous two benchmark surveys
but which have grown to the point where annual coverage is needed, the
Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is considering adding coverage of:
purchases (payments) and sales (receipts) of agricultural services;
employment agencies and temporary help supply services; operational
leasing services; and sales (but not purchases) of merchanting
services. BEA is also considering adding a broad category for purchases
and sales of ``other'' business, professional, and technical services;
this category would likely cover language-translation services,
security services, collection services, actuarial services, salvage
services, certain waste cleanup services, and, possibly, other
specified services. Finally, to better conform BEA surveys with current
international standards, coverage of general use computer software
royalties and license fees is being dropped from the BE-22 and moved to
the BE-93, Annual Survey of Royalties, License Fees, and Other Receipts
and Payments for Intangible Rights Between U.S. and Unaffiliated
Foreign Persons.
II. Method of Collection
The survey will be sent to potential respondents in January and
responses are due on March 31, each year following the year covered by
the survey. All U.S. persons who, in the year covered by the survey,
had more than $1,000,000 of purchases from, or sales to, unaffiliated
foreign persons in a covered service must report data. U.S. persons who
receive a copy of the survey and who had purchases and sales
transactions in a covered service with unaffiliated foreign persons of
$1,000,000 or less may voluntarily report the data, or they must file
an exemption claim.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0608-0060.
Form Number: BE-22.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
Affected Public: Businesses, government agencies, or others
engaging in international transactions in covered services.
Estimated Number of Responses: 1,500.
Estimated Time Per Response: 11.5 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 17,250.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $517,500 (based on an estimated
reporting burden of 17,250 hours and an estimated hourly cost of $30).
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 has 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: June 2, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-14754 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P
