# U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee: Membership > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-13205 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** May 28, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 26498 ## Text [[Page 26499]] DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee: Membership AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of outstanding individuals to serve on the U.S. section of the U.S.-South Africa Business Development Committee (BDC). On June 4, 1994, the late Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown and South African Minister of Trade and Industry Trevor Manuel signed the document establishing the BDC, the purpose of which is to provide a forum for the public and private sectors to engage in constructive exchanges of information on commercial matters, problem solve, and more effectively work together on issues of common interest. The BDC is composed of two sections, a U.S. section and a South African section. The U.S. Section is chaired by Secretary of Commerce Michael Kantor and is comprised of 21 private sector representatives. The inaugural meeting of the BDC took place September 19-20, 1994. Subsequent plenary and working group meetings have been held over the past two years with the government and private sector members from both countries in attendance. Obligations Private sector members were originally appointed for a two year term which expires August 31, 1996. Nominations are now being sought for private sector members to serve for a two year period from September 1, 1996 until August 31, 1998. Private sector members will serve at the discretion of the Secretary and shall serve as representatives of the business community and the industry their business represents. They are expected to participate fully in defining the agenda for the Committee and in implementing its work program. It is expected that private sector individuals chosen for BDC membership will attend not less than 75% of the BDC meetings which will be held in the U.S. and South Africa. Private sector members are fully responsible for travel, living and personal expenses associated with their participation on the BDC and may be responsible for a pro rata share of administrative and communications costs of the BDC. The BDC will continue to work on issues of common interest to encourage trade and investment, including the following: --Resolving obstacles to trade and investment between the two countries; --Expanding commercial activity between both countries and identifying commercial opportunities; --Developing sectoral or project-oriented approaches to expand business opportunities; --Implementing trade and business development programs, including trade missions, seminars, exhibits and other events; --Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development of commercial expansion between the two countries; and --Taking any other appropriate steps for fostering commercial relations between the U.S. and South Africa. Criteria In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, potential candidates must be: (1) U.S. citizens or permanent residents; (2) CEOs or other senior management level employees of a U.S. company or organization with demonstrated involvement in trade with and/or investment in South Africa who will participate in not less than 75% of the BDC meetings, which will be held in the United States and South Africa. (The representative nominated should be the individual that will actively participate in the BDC); (3) Not a registered Foreign Agent; and (4) Actively doing business in South Africa or actively developing entry plans for doing business in South Africa. To the extent possible, the Department of Commerce will strive to achieve membership composition that reflects U.S. entrepreneurial diversity. Therefore, in reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will consider such selection factors as: (1) Depth of experience in the South African market; (2) Export/investment experience; (3) Representation of industry or service sectors of importance to our commercial relationship with South Africa; (4) Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member companies; (5) Location of company or organization; and (6) Demographics. To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name and title of individual proposed for consideration; name and address of the company or organization of which the individual is a representative; company's or organization's product or service line; size of the company or, if an organization, the size and number of member companies; export experience/foreign investment experience in major markets; a brief statement (not more than 1 page) of why each candidate should be considered for membership on the Committee; the particular segment of the business community the candidate would represent; and a personal resume. Deadline In order to receive full consideration, requests must be received no later than June 15, 1996. ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Mrs. S.K. Miller, Director, Office of Africa by fax on 202/482-5198 or by mail at Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mrs. S.K. Miller, Director, Office of Africa, Room 2037, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: 202/482-4227. Authority: Act of February 14, 1903, c. 552, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 1501 et seq., 32 Stat. 825; Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1979, 19 U.S.C. 2171 Note, 93 Stat. 1381. Dated: May 21, 1996. Sally K. Miller, Director, Office of Africa. [FR Doc. 96-13205 Filed 5-24-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-13205. Public record. Not legal advice.