[Federal Register: March 24, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 56)]
[Notices]
[Page 14189-14190]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr24mr03-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Bureau of Economic Analysis
Proposal To Collect Information on Annual Survey of U.S. Direct
Investment Abroad
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 May 23, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Direct written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental
Paperwork Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer,
Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW.,
Washington, DC 20230, or via the Internet at dHynek@doc.gov, ((202)
482-0266).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Direct requests for additional
information or copies of the information collection instruments and
instructions to Obie G. Whichard, Department of Commerce, Bureau of
Economic Analysis, BE-50(OC), Washington, DC 20230, or via the Internet
at obie.whichard@bea.gov, ((202) 606-9890).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
The BE-11, Annual Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, provides
a variety of measures of the overall operations of nonbank U.S. parent
companies and their nonbank foreign affiliates, including total assets,
sales, net income, employment and employee compensation, research and
development expenditures, and exports and imports of goods. The survey
is a cut-off sample survey that covers all foreign affiliates (and
their U.S. parent companies) above a size-exemption level. The sample
data are used to derive universe estimates in nonbenchmark years by
extrapolating forward similar data reported in the BE-10, Benchmark
Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, which is taken every five
years. The data are needed to measure the size and economic
significance of direct investment abroad, measure changes in such
investment, and assess its impact on the U.S. and foreign economies.
The data from the survey are primarily intended as general purpose
statistics. They should be readily available to answer any number of
research and policy questions related to U.S. direct investment abroad.
Policy areas of particular and lasting interest are trade in both goods
and services, employment and employee compensation, taxes, and
technology.
The form remains the same as in the past. No changes in language,
data collected, or exemption levels are proposed.
II. Method of Collection
The survey will be sent each year to potential respondents in March
and responses are due by May 31. A report must be filed by, or on
behalf of, each nonbank U.S. business enterprise (U.S. Reporter) that
owned 10 percent or more of the voting stock (or the equivalent) of a
nonbank foreign business enterprise owned at least 20 percent by all
U.S. Reporters of the foreign business enterprise combined, whether
held directly or indirectly, for which any one of the following three
items was greater than $30 million (positive or negative) at the end
of, or for, the foreign business enterprise's fiscal year: (1) Total
assets, (2) sales or gross operating revenues excluding sales taxes, or
(3) net income after provision for foreign income taxes.
Potential respondents are the nonbank U.S. parent companies of
nonbank foreign business enterprises that reported in the last
benchmark survey of U.S. direct investment abroad, which covered the
year 1999, along with the nonbank U.S. parent companies of those
nonbank foreign business enterprises that subsequently entered the
direct investment universe. The data collected are cut-off sample data.
Universe estimates are developed from the reported sample data.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0608-0053.
Form Number: BE-11.
Type of Review: Regular submission.
[[Page 14190]]
Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,600.
Estimated Time Per Response: 74 hours is the average, but may vary
according to the number, size, and complexity of the businesses covered
by the response.
Estimated Total Annual Burden: 118,400 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Cost: $3,552,000 (based on an estimated
reporting burden of 118,400 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: March 18, 2003.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 03-6882 Filed 3-21-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P