2018-13546. Notice of Charter Renewal of the U.S. Investment Advisory Council and Soliciting Nominations for Members

AGENCY:

International Trade Administration, Global Markets, U.S. Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY:

On April 6, 2018, the Department of Commerce Acting Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration renewed the charter for the United States Investment Advisory Council (Council) for a two-year period, ending April 5, 2020. The Council is a federal advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

DATES:

All applications for immediate consideration for appointment must be received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Friday, July 27, 2018. After that date, applications will be accepted under this notice for a period of up to two years from the deadline to fill any vacancies that may arise.

ADDRESSES:

Please submit applications by email to [e-mail], attention: Steven Meyers, SelectUSA, United States Investment Advisory Council Executive Secretariat, or by mail to Steven Meyers, SelectUSA, United States Investment Advisory Council, Room 30032, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Steven Meyers, Designated Federal Officer, SelectUSA, Room 30032, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: [phone] email: [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The United States Investment Advisory Council (Council) was established by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) pursuant to duties imposed by 15 U.S.C. 1512 upon the Department and in compliance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App.

The Council functions solely as an advisory committee in accordance with the provisions of FACA. In particular, the Council advises the Secretary on government policies and programs that affect foreign direct investment (FDI), identifies and recommends programs and policies to help the United States attract and retain FDI, and recommends ways to support the United States in remaining the world's preeminent destination for FDI. The Council acts as a liaison among the stakeholders represented by the membership and provides a forum for the stakeholders on current and emerging issues regarding FDI.

The Council reports to the Secretary of Commerce on its activities and recommendations regarding FDI. In creating its reports, the Council is to survey and evaluate the investment and investment-facilitating activities of stakeholders, identify and examine specific problems facing potential foreign investors, and examine the needs of stakeholders to inform the Council's efforts. The Council is to recommend specific solutions to the problems and needs that it identifies.

Each member is to be appointed for a term of two years and serves at the pleasure of the Secretary. The Secretary may at his/her discretion reappoint any member to an additional term or terms, provided that the member proves to work effectively on the Council and his/her knowledge and advice is still needed.

The Council consists of no more than twenty members appointed by the Secretary. Members are to represent companies and organizations investing, seeking to invest, seeking foreign investors, or facilitating investment across many sectors, including but not limited to:

• U.S.-incorporated companies that are majority-owned by foreign companies or by a foreign individual or individuals, or that generate significant foreign direct investment (e.g., through their supply chains);
• Companies or entities whose business includes FDI-related activities or the facilitation of FDI; and
• Economic development organizations and other U.S. governmental and non-governmental organizations and associations whose missions or activities include the promotion or facilitation of FDI.

Members are selected based on their ability to carry out the objectives of the Council, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidelines, in a manner that ensures that the Council is balanced in terms of points of view, industry subsector, organization type, geography of the source and the destination of the FDI, and company size. Members are to represent a broad range of products and services and be drawn from large, medium, and small enterprises, private-sector organizations involved in investment, and other investment-related entities including non-governmental organizations, associations, and economic development organizations.

In selecting members, priority may be given to the selection of executives, i.e., Chief Executive Officer, Executive Chairman, President, or an officer with a comparable level of responsibility. Members serve in a representative capacity, representing the views and interests of their sponsoring entity and those of their particular sector (if applicable). Members are not special government employees and will receive no compensation for their participation in Council activities. Members will not be reimbursed for travel expenses related to Council activities. Appointments to the Council shall be made without regard to political affiliation. All members must be a U.S. national.

The Secretary designates a Chair and Vice Chair from among the members. The Council will meet a minimum of two times a year, to the extent practical, with additional meetings called at the discretion of the Secretary or his/her designee. Meetings will be held in Washington, DC or elsewhere in the United States, or by teleconference, as feasible. Members are expected to attend a majority of Council meetings.

To be considered for membership, submit the following information by 5:00 p.m. EDT on Friday, July 27, 2018 to the email address listed in the ADDRESSES section:

1. Name and title of the individual requesting consideration.

2. A sponsor letter from the applicant on the sponsoring entity's letterhead containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be considered for membership on the Council. This sponsor letter should also address the applicant's experience and leadership related to foreign direct investment.

3. The applicant's personal resume and short bio (less than 300 words).

4. An affirmative statement that the applicant meets all eligibility criteria, including an affirmative statement that the applicant is not required to register as a foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended.

5. Information regarding the ownership and control of the sponsoring entity, including the stock holdings as appropriate.

6. The sponsoring entity's size, place of incorporation, product or service line, major markets in which the entity operates, and the entity's export or import experience.

7. A profile of the entity's foreign direct investment activities, including investment activities, investment plans, investment-facilitation activities, or other foreign direct investment activities.

8. Brief statement describing how the applicant will contribute to the work of the Council based on his or her unique experience and perspective (not to exceed 100 words).

9. All relevant contact information, including mailing address, fax, email, phone number, and support staff information where relevant.

Anthony Diaz,

Program Analyst, Global Markets, International Trade Administration.