[Federal Register: March 11, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 48)]
[Notices]
[Page 11595-11596]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr11mr04-51]
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COMMITTEE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF TEXTILE AGREEMENTS
Request for Public Comments on Commercial Availability Petition
under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), the
African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the United States -
Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA)
March 8, 2004.
AGENCY: The Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements
ACTION: Request for public comments concerning a petition for a
determination that round cut 10-wale
[[Page 11596]]
per inch cotton corduroy cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in
commercial quantities in a timely manner under the ATPDEA, AGOA and
CBTPA.
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SUMMARY: On March 5, 2004, the Chairman of CITA received a petition
from S. Schwab Company Inc. alleging that smooth, round cut 10-wale per
inch (4-wale per centimeter) 100% cotton corduroy for use in
manufacturing apparel articles, classified in subheading 5801.22.90 of
the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be
supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely
manner. It requests that apparel articles of such fabrics be eligible
for preferential treatment under the ATPDEA, the AGOA and the CBTPA.
CITA hereby solicits public comments on this petition, in particular
with regard to whether this fabric can be supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Comments must be
submitted by March 26, 2004 to the Chairman, Committee for the
Implementation of Textile Agreements, Room 3001, United States
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20230
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Flaaten, International Trade
Specialist, Office of Textiles and Apparel, U.S. Department of
Commerce, (202) 482-3400.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Authority: Section 112(b)(5)(B) of the AGOA; Section
213(b)(2)(A)(v)(II) of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, as
added by Section 211(a) of the CBTPA; Sections 1 and 6 of Executive
Order No. 13191 of January 17, 2001; Presidential Proclamations 7350
and 7351 of October 4, 2000; Section 204 (b)(3)(B)(ii) of the
ATPDEA, Presidential Proclamation 7616 of October 31, 2002,
Executive Order 13277 of November 19, 2002, and the United States
Trade Representative's Notice of Further Assignment of Functions of
November 25, 2002.
BACKGROUND:
The ATPDEA, the AGOA and the CBTPA provide for quota- and duty-free
treatment for qualifying textile and apparel products. Such treatment
is generally limited to products manufactured from yarns or fabrics
formed in the United States. The ATPDEA, the AGOA, and the CBTPA also
provide for quota- and duty-free treatment for apparel articles that
are both cut (or knit-to-shape) and sewn or otherwise assembled in one
or more ATPDEA, AGOA, or CBTPA beneficiary countries from fabric or
yarn that is not formed in the United States, if it has been determined
that such fabric or yarn cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in
commercial quantities in a timely manner. In Executive Order No. 13191
(66 FR 7271) and pursuant to Executive Order No. 13277 (67 FR 70305)
and the United States Trade Representative's Notice of Redelegation of
Authority and Further Assignment of Functions (67 FR 71606), CITA has
been delegated the authority to determine whether yarns or fabrics
cannot be supplied by the domestic industry in commercial quantities in
a timely manner under the AGOA, the CBTPA, or the ATPDEA. On March 6,
2001, CITA published procedures that it will follow in considering
requests (66 FR 13502).
On March 5, 2004, the Chairman of CITA received a petition from S.
Schwab Company Inc. alleging that smooth, round cut 10-wale per inch
(4-wale per centimeter) 100% cotton corduroy for use in manufacturing
apparel articles, classified in subheading 5801.22.90 of the Harmonized
Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS), cannot be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner and
requesting quota- and duty-free treatment under the ADPTEA, the AGOA
and the CBTPA for apparel articles that are cut and sewn in one or more
ADPTEA, AGOA or CBTPA beneficiary countries from such fabrics.
CITA is soliciting public comments regarding this request,
particularly with respect to whether this fabric can be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner. Also
relevant is whether other fabrics that are supplied by the domestic
industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner are substitutable
for the fabric for purposes of the intended use. Comments must be
received no later than March 26, 2004. Interested persons are invited
to submit six copies of such comments or information to the Chairman,
Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements, room 3100, U.S.
Department of Commerce, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington,
DC 20230.
If a comment alleges that this fabric can be supplied by the
domestic industry in commercial quantities in a timely manner, CITA
will closely review any supporting documentation, such as a signed
statement by a manufacturer of the fabric stating that it produces the
fabric that is the subject of the request, including the quantities
that can be supplied and the time necessary to fill an order, as well
as any relevant information regarding past production.
CITA will protect any business confidential information that is
marked business confidential from disclosure to the full extent
permitted by law. CITA will make available to the public non-
confidential versions of the request and non-confidential versions of
any public comments received with respect to a request in room 3100 in
the Herbert Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, N.W.,
Washington, DC 20230. Persons submitting comments on a request are
encouraged to include a non-confidential version and a non-confidential
summary.
James C. Leonard III,
Chairman, Committee for the Implementation of Textile Agreements.
[FR Doc. 04-5601 Filed 3-9-04; 10:44 am]