01-9372. Grant of Authority for Subzone Status Matsushita Electronic Components Corporation of America (Electrolytic Capacitors, Automotive Audio Speakers), Knoxville, TN

Pursuant to its authority under the Foreign-Trade Zones Act of June 18, 1934, as amended (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u), the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) adopts the following Order:

Whereas, the Foreign-Trade Zones Act provides for “* * * the establishment * * * of foreign-trade zones in ports of entry of the United States, to expedite and encourage foreign commerce, and for other purposes,” and authorizes the Foreign-Trade Zones Board (the Board) to grant to qualified corporations the privilege of establishing foreign-trade zones in or adjacent to U.S. Customs ports of entry;

Whereas, the Board's regulations (15 CFR part 400) provide for the establishment of special-purpose subzones when existing zone facilities cannot serve the specific use involved, and when the activity results in a significant public benefit and is in the public interest;

Whereas, the Industrial Development Board of Blount County, grantee of Foreign-Trade Zone 148 (Knoxville, Tennessee), has made application for authority to establish special-purpose subzone status at the electrolytic capacitor and automotive audio speaker manufacturing plant of Matsushita Electronic Components Corporation of America (Inc.), located in Knoxville, Tennessee (FTZ Docket 3-2000, filed 2-10-00);

Whereas, notice inviting public comment was given in the Federal Register (65 FR 8118, 2-17-2000); and,

Whereas, the Board adopts the findings and recommendations of the examiner's report, and finds that the requirements of the FTZ Act and Board's regulations are satisfied, and that approval of the application is in the public interest;

Now, Therefore, the Board hereby grants authority for subzone status at the electrolytic capacitor and automotive audio speaker manufacturing plant of Matsushita Electronic Components Corporation of America (Inc.), located in Knoxville, Tennessee (Subzone 148B), at the location described in the application, subject to the FTZ Act and the Board's regulations, including § 400.28.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 5th day of April 2001.

Timothy J. Hauser,

Acting Under Secretary for International Trade, Alternate Chairman, Foreign-Trade Zones Board.

Attest:

Dennis Puccinelli,

Executive Secretary.