81 FR 55444 - United States Trade Finance Advisory Council

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
International Trade Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 161 (August 19, 2016)

The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has established the U.S. Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) to solicit input regarding the challenges faced by U.S. exporters in accessing capital, innovative solutions that can address these challenges, and recommendations on strategies that can expand access to finance and educate U.S. exporters on available resources. This federal advisory committee is necessary to provide input to the Secretary on the development of strategies and programs that would help expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters. The Department of Commerce is seeking applications for membership on the TFAC. In order to accommodate requests for extensions, we are now extending the deadline to receive applications until 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 29, 2016.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 161 (Friday, August 19, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55444-55446]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-19981]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


United States Trade Finance Advisory Council

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of an Opportunity To Apply for Membership on the U.S. 
Trade Finance Advisory Council.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) has established the U.S. 
Trade Finance Advisory Council (TFAC) to solicit input regarding the 
challenges faced by U.S. exporters in accessing capital, innovative 
solutions that can

[[Page 55445]]

address these challenges, and recommendations on strategies that can 
expand access to finance and educate U.S. exporters on available 
resources. This federal advisory committee is necessary to provide 
input to the Secretary on the development of strategies and programs 
that would help expand access to trade finance for U.S. exporters. The 
Department of Commerce is seeking applications for membership on the 
TFAC. In order to accommodate requests for extensions, we are now 
extending the deadline to receive applications until 5:00 p.m. EDT on 
Monday, August 29, 2016.

DATES: All applications for immediate consideration must be received by 
the Office of Finance and Insurance Industries by 5:00 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time (EDT) on Monday, August 29 2016. After that date, ITA 
will continue to accept applications 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 [email protected], 
attention: Ericka Ukrow, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries, 
U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council Executive 
Secretariat, or by mail to Ericka Ukrow, Office of Finance and 
Insurance Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance 
Advisory Council, Room 18002, 1401 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, 
DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Finance and Insurance 
Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce Trade Finance Advisory Council 
Executive Secretariat, Ericka Ukrow, Room 18002, 1401 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230; telephone: (202) 482-0405, email: 
[email protected]. Please visit http://trade.gov/TFAC for 
additional information.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background and Authority

    On July 25, 2016 (81 FR 48386), the Secretary of Commerce announced 
the establishment of the United States Trade Finance Advisory Council 
(the Council) in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., to advise the Secretary on 
matters relating to private sector trade financing for U.S. exporters. 
As indicated in that notice, the Department of Commerce, Office of 
Finance and Insurance Industries, is accepting applications for 
membership on the TFAC. The TFAC functions solely as an advisory 
committee. The TFAC shall advise the Secretary in identifying effective 
ways to help expand access to finance for U.S. exporters, especially 
small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and their foreign buyers.
    The TFAC shall provide a necessary forum to facilitate the 
discussion between a diverse group of stakeholders such as banks, non-
bank financial institutions, other trade finance related organizations, 
and exporters to gain a better understanding regarding current 
challenges facing U.S. exporters in accessing finance.
    The TFAC shall draw upon the experience of its members in order to 
obtain ideas and suggestions for innovative solutions to these 
challenges.
    The TFAC shall develop recommendations on programs or activities 
that the Department of Commerce could incorporate as part of its export 
promotion and trade finance education efforts.
    The TFAC shall report to the Secretary on its activities and 
recommendations. In creating its reports, the TFAC should: (1) Evaluate 
current credit conditions and specific financing challenges faced by 
U.S. exporters, especially SMEs, and their foreign buyers, (2) examine 
other noteworthy issues raised by stakeholders represented by the 
membership, (3) identify emerging financing sources that would address 
these gaps, and (4) recommend specific activities by which these 
recommendations could be incorporated and implemented.

II. Structure, Membership, and Operation

    The TFAC shall consist of no more than twenty members appointed by 
the Secretary. Members may be drawn from:

     U.S. companies that are exporters of goods and 
services;
     U.S. commercial banks that provide trade finance 
products, cross-border payment services, or foreign exchange 
solutions;
     Non-bank U.S. financial institutions that provide trade 
finance products, cross-border payment services, or foreign exchange 
solutions;
     Associations that represent: (a) U.S. exporters and 
SMEs; and (b) U.S. commercial banks or non-bank financial 
institutions or other professionals that facilitate international 
trade transactions;
     U.S. companies or entities whose business includes 
trade-finance-related activities or services;
     U.S. scholars, academic institutions, or public policy 
organizations with expertise in global business, trade finance, and 
international banking related subjects; and
     Economic development organizations and other U.S. 
regional, state and local governmental and non-governmental 
organizations whose missions or activities include the analysis, 
provision, or facilitation of trade finance products/services.

    Membership shall include a broad range of companies and 
organizations in terms of products and services, company size, and 
geographic location of both the source and destination of trade 
finance. Members will be selected based on their ability to carry out 
the objectives of the TFAC, in accordance with applicable Department of 
Commerce guidelines, in a manner that ensures that the TFAC is balanced 
in terms of points of view and demographics. Priority may be given to 
candidates who have executive-level (Chief Executive Officer, Executive 
Chairman, President, or comparable level of responsibility) experience.
    Members, with the exception of those from academia and public 
policy organizations, serve in a representative capacity, representing 
their own views and interests or those of their sponsoring entities, 
not as Special Government Employees. The members from academia and 
public policy organizations serve as experts and therefore are Special 
Government Employees (SGEs), pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 202, and will be 
required to comply with certain ethics laws and rules, including filing 
a Confidential Financial Disclosure form. Additionally, a member 
serving as an expert must not be a Federally Registered Lobbyist.
    Prospective nominees should designate the capacity in which they 
are applying to serve and identify either their area of expertise or 
the U.S. industry sector they wish to represent.
    Members of the TFAC will not be compensated for their services or 
reimbursed for their travel expenses. Appointments to the TFAC shall be 
made without regard to political affiliation.
    Each member shall be appointed for a term of two years and will 
serve 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 TFAC and 
his/her knowledge and advice are still needed.
    The TFAC chair and vice chair or vice chairs shall be selected from 
the members of the TFAC by the Assistant Secretary for Industry & 
Analysis after consulting with the members. Their term of service will 
not exceed the duration of the current charter term and they may be 
reselected for additional periods should the charter be renewed and 
should they remain on the TFAC.

[[Page 55446]]

III. Meetings

    The TFAC shall, to the extent practical, meet a minimum of two 
times a year. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of 
the Secretary or his/her designee. The meetings will take place in 
Washington, DC, or elsewhere in the United States, or be held via 
teleconference. Members are required to attend a majority of the TFAC's 
meetings.

IV. Application

    To be considered for membership, submit the following information 
to the email address listed in the ADDRESSES section above. In order to 
accommodate requests for extensions, we are now extending the deadline 
to receive applications until 5:00 p.m. EDT on Monday, August 29, 2016.
    Applications for immediate consideration must be received by this 
deadline.
    For all applicants, submit:

    1. Name and title of the individual requesting consideration.
    2. The applicant's personal resume and short biography (less 
than 300 words).
    3. A brief statement describing how the applicant will 
contribute to the work of the TFAC based on his/her unique 
experience and perspective (not to exceed 100 words).
    4. All relevant contact information, including mailing address, 
fax, email, phone number, and support staff information where 
relevant.
    5. 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.
    6. For applicants to serve in a representative capacity, also 
submit:
    a. A sponsor letter on the sponsoring entity's letterhead 
containing a brief statement of why the applicant should be 
considered for membership on the TFAC. This sponsor letter should 
also address the applicant's experience and leadership related to 
trade finance;
    b. A brief description of the company, institution, trade 
association, or organization to be represented and its business 
activities and export market(s) served, if applicable;
    c. Information regarding the ownership and control of the 
sponsoring entity, including the stock holdings as appropriate; and
    d. The sponsoring entity's size (number of employees and annual 
sales), place of incorporation, product or service line, major 
markets in which the entity operates, and the entity's export or 
import experience.
    7. For applicants to serve as experts (i.e., not in a 
representative capacity), also submit:
    a. A statement that the applicant is not a Federally registered 
lobbyist and that the applicant understands that, if appointed, the 
applicant will not be allowed to continue to serve as a Committee 
member if the applicant becomes a Federally registered lobbyist.

    Dated: August 15, 2016.
Paul Thanos,
Director, Office of Finance and Insurance Industries.
[FR Doc. 2016-19981 Filed 8-17-16; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P