General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by African Trading Partners

[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 223 (Thursday, November 19, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64274-64275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30886]


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INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION

[Investigation No. 332-399]


General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the 
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by African Trading Partners

AGENCY: United States International Trade Commission.

ACTION: Institution of investigation and scheduling of public hearing.

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EFFECTIVE DATE: November 6, 1998.
SUMMARY: Following receipt on October 15, 1998, of a request from the 
Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), the Commission 
instituted investigation No. 332-399, General Agreement on Trade in 
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by 
African Trading Partners, under section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 
1930 (19 U.S.C. 1332(g)).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: Information on service industries may be 
obtained from Mr. Richard Brown, Office of Industries (202-205-3438) 
and Mr. William Chadwick, Office of Industries (202-205-3390); economic 
aspects, from Mr. Hugh Arce, Office of Economics (202-205-3234); and 
legal aspects, from Mr. William Gearhart, Office of the General Counsel 
(202-205-3091). The media should contact Ms. Margaret O'Laughlin, 
Office of External Relations (202-205-1819). Hearing impaired 
individuals are advised that information on this matter can be obtained 
by contacting the TDD terminal on (202-205-1810).

Background

    As requested by the USTR in a letter dated October 9, 1998, the 
Commission, pursuant to section 332(g) of the Tariff Act of 1930, has 
instituted an investigation and will prepare a report that (1) examines 
the content of schedules of commitments under the General Agreement on 
Trade in Services (GATS) for the countries specified below, explaining 
the commitments in non-technical language; and (2) seeks to identify 
the potential benefits and limitations of foreign commitments. The 
Commission will examine sector-specific commitments scheduled by Cote 
D'Ivoire, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Morocco, Nigeria, 
Senegal, South Africa, Tunisia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, with respect to 
the following industries:
    •  Distribution services (defined as wholesaling, retailing, 
and franchising services);

[[Page 64275]]

    •  Education services;
    •  Communication services (defined as basic and enhanced 
telecommunication, audiovisual, and courier services);
    •  Health care services;
    •  Professional services (defined as accounting, advertising, 
and legal services);
    •  Architectural, engineering, and construction (AEC) 
services;
    •  Land-based transport services (defined as rail and 
trucking services); and
    •  travel and tourism services.
    In addition, the Commission will examine horizontal commitments 
relevant to the specified industries, such as those regarding 
investment, and temporary entry and stay of foreign workers. As 
requested by the USTR, the Commission plans to deliver its report to 
the USTR by October 15, 1999.
    The investigation is the fifth in a series of Commission 
investigations requested by USTR. In the earlier reports, the 
Commission examined the commitments scheduled by selected trading 
partners with respect to all the industries delineated above, with the 
sole exception of basic telecommunication services. The four previous 
reports are: General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of the 
Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Eastern Europe, the European Free 
Trade Association, and Turkey (investigation No. 332-385, USITC 
Publication 3127, September 1998); General Agreement on Trade in 
Services: Examination of the Schedules of Commitments Submitted by Asia 
Pacific Trading Partners (investigation No. 332-374, USITC Publication 
3053, August 1997); General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination 
of South American Trading Partners' Schedules of Commitments 
(investigation No. 332-367, USITC Publication 3007, December 1996); and 
General Agreement on Trade in Services: Examination of Major Trading 
Partners' Schedules of Commitments (investigation No. 332-358, USITC 
Publication 2940, December 1995). These publications are available on 
the ITC Internet server (www.usitc.gov).

Public Hearing

    A public hearing in connection with the investigation will be held 
at the U.S. International Trade Commission Building, 500 E Street SW, 
Washington, DC, beginning at 9:30 a.m. on June 2, 1999. All persons 
shall have the right to appear, by counsel or in person, to present 
information and to be heard. Requests to appear at the public hearing 
should be filed with the Secretary, United States International Trade 
Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436, no later than 5:15 
p.m., May 17, 1999. Any prehearing briefs (original and 14 copies) 
should be filed not later than 5:15 p.m., May 17, 1999. The deadline 
for filing post-hearing briefs or statements is 5:15 p.m., June 15, 
1999. In the event that, as of the close of business on May 17, 1999, 
no witnesses are scheduled to appear at the hearing, the hearing will 
be canceled. Any person interested in attending the hearing as an 
observer or non-participant may call the Secretary to the Commission 
(202-205-1816) after May 17, 1999, to determine whether the hearing 
will be held.

Written Submissions

    In lieu of, or in addition to, participating in the hearing, 
interested parties are invited to submit written statements concerning 
the matters to be addressed by the Commission in its report on this 
investigation. Commercial or financial information that a submitter 
desires the Commission to treat as confidential must be submitted on 
separate sheets of paper, each clearly marked ``Confidential Business 
Information'' at the top. All submissions requesting confidential 
treatment must conform with the requirements of section Sec. 201.6 of 
the Commission's Rules of Practice and Procedure (19 CFR 201.6). All 
written submissions, except for confidential business information, will 
be made available in the Office of the Secretary of the Commission for 
inspection by interested parties. To be assured of consideration by the 
Commission, written statements relating to the Commission's report 
should be submitted to the Commission at the earliest practical date 
and should be received no later than the close of business on 4 June 
15, 1999. All submissions should be addressed to the Secretary, United 
States International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 
20436. The Commission's rules do not authorize filing of submissions 
with the Secretary by facsimile or electronic means.

    By order of the Commission.

    Issued: November 10, 1998.
Donna R. Koehnke,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-30886 Filed 11-18-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7020-02-P