[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 46069]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23155]
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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
[Investigation 332-397]
Database on Trade and Investment in Services
AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.
ACTION: Institution of investigation.
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EFFECTIVE DATE: August 24, 1998.
SUMMARY: Following receipt of a request dated July 21, 1998, from the
United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission instituted
investigation No. 332-397, Database on Trade and Investment in
Services, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C.
1332(g)).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Information specific to this
investigation may be obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of
Industries (202-205-3438) or Ms. Tsedale Assefa, Office of Industries
(202-205-2374). For information on the legal aspects of this
investigation, contact Mr. William Gearhart of the Office of the
General Counsel (202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. 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). General
information concerning the Commission may be obtained by accessing its
Internet server (http://www.usitc.gov).
BACKGROUND: As noted in the USTR's request, Article 19 of the General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) requires World Trade Organization
(WTO) members to enter into successive negotiations beginning not later
than January 1, 2000, with a view to achieving progressively higher
levels of liberalization in services trade and investment. In preparing
for such negotiations, the USTR has asked the Commission to develop a
database that provides up-to-date information on service markets in
other WTO member countries. As requested by the USTR, the Commission,
pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, instituted an
investigation for the purpose of developing a database of information
on trade and investment in 62 foreign service markets. The Commission
will develop a database that provides, to the extent possible, the
following information with respect to eleven service industries:
(1) Current market access and national treatment restrictions that
apply to foreign service providers;
(2) Liberalization and deregulation that has taken place since
1995;
(3) Contemplated services liberalization or deregulation; and
(4) Preferences extended to third-country trading partners.
The industries of interest to USTR include distribution services
(defined as wholesaling, retailing, and franchising), telecommunication
services, express delivery services, entertainment technology services,
foreign legal consultancy services, accounting services, architectural
services, engineering services, construction services, energy services
(defined as mining, oil, gas, and electricity), and environmental
services. The Commission will also seek to provide this information
with respect to temporary entry and stay of service providers. In
addition, the Commission will attempt to identify common approaches, if
any, to the deregulation and liberalization of service markets among
WTO members, and best prospects for services trade liberalization
during the impending WTO negotiations.
The USTR requested that the Commission provide a preliminary
version of the database no later than October 30, 1998, and the
finalized database by April 30, 1999. USTR indicated that the database
will be confidential for a period of 10 years. USTR also noted that it
considers the Commission's database to be an interagency memorandum
that will contain predecisional advice and be subject to the
deliberative process privilege.
Issued: August 24, 1998.
By order of the Commission.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-23155 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P
