[Federal Register: June 30, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 125)]
[Notices]               
[Page 39406-39407]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jn04-32]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 
International Trade Administration; BISNIS Finance Link

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 burdens, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
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 30, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Diana Hynek, Departmental 
Paperwork, Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6625, 14th & 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230 (or via the Internet at 
dHynek@doc.gov).


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: William Franklin, Office of Finance, Room 1800A, U.S. 
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Ave., NW., Washington, DC 
20230; Phone Number: (202) 482-3277.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The International Trade Administration's Business Information 
Service for the Newly Independent States (BISNIS) offers business 
intelligence and counseling to U.S. companies seeking to export or 
invest in the countries of the former Soviet Union. One of the 
essential components of BISNIS's services is assisting companies in 
locating suitable financing

[[Page 39407]]

for exports. Often, official sources, such as the Export-Import Bank of 
the United States, cannot handle all the requests for a variety of 
reasons. FinanceLink is an Internet-based service that facilitates 
contacts between exporters and finance providers. Exporters fill out a 
form giving relevant details about the desired transaction and submit 
it via the internet to BISNIS. BISNIS will in turn distribute the 
information collected to potential finance providers. This program is 
designed to implement the Department of Commerce's goal of improving 
access to trade financing for small business exporters, specifically in 
the more challenging market of the former Soviet Union.

II. Method of Collection

    The information is collected via the Internet at: http://www.bisnis.doc.gov/bisnis/finlin3.cfm
.


III. Data

    OMB Number: XXXX-XXXX
    Form Number: ITA-XX.
    Type of Review: Regular Submission.
    Affected Public: Business or other for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 200.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 10 minutes.
    Estimated total Annual Burden Hours: 33 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Costs: $0.

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 shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection information; (c) 
ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of 
information on respondents, including through the use of automated 
collection techniques or 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 25, 2004.
Madeleine Clayton,
Management Analyst, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 04-14836 Filed 6-29-04; 8:45 am]