# U.S.-Turkey Business Development Council: Membership > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-30294 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** November 27, 1996 - **Citation:** 61 FR 60261 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S.-Turkey Business Development Council: Membership ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: As part of its Big Emerging Market Strategy for Turkey, the Department of Commerce is establishing a Business Development Council (BDC) in cooperation with the Turkish Government. The Department of Commerce is currently seeking nominations of outstanding individuals to serve on the U.S. section of the BDC as representatives of their particular industry sector. The purpose of the BDC will be to provide a forum through which U.S. and Turkish private sector representatives can engage in constructive exchanges of information on commercial matters, and in which governments can exchange information, solve problems, and more effectively work together on issues of mutual concern relating to the following: --Identifying commercial opportunities, impediments, and issues of concern to the U.S. and Turkish business communities; --Addressing obstacles to trade and investment; --Improving the dissemination of information on U.S.-Turkey market opportunities; --Developing sectoral or project-oriented approaches to expand business opportunities; --Implementing trade/business development and promotion programs, including trade missions, exhibits, seminars, and other events; and --Identifying further steps to facilitate and encourage the development of commercial expansion and cooperation between the two countries. The inaugural meeting of the BDC is expected to take place during early 1997 in either Washington, DC or Ankara, Turkey with government and private sector members from both countries in attendance. Obligations Private sector members will be appointed for a two (2) year term and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. Private sector members shall serve as representatives of the business community and the industry their business represents. Private sector members are expected to participate fully in defining the agenda for the Council and in implementing its work program. It is expected that private sector members chosen for BDC membership will attend at least seventy- five percent (75%) of the BDC meetings which will be held in the United States and Turkey. Private sector members are fully responsible for travel, living and personal expenses associated with their participation in the BDC. The private sector members will serve in a representative capacity presenting the views and interests of the particular business sector in which they operate; private sector members are not special government employees. It is anticipated that the private sector members of the BDC will form a steering committee to guide overall private sector participation. It is further anticipated that the steering committee will arrange for staff support for the BDC activities at the expense of the steering committee members. Criteria The Council will be composed of two sections, a U.S. section and a Turkish section. The U.S. Section will be chaired by the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce, or designee, and will include approximately 20 members from the U.S. private sector. In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, potential candidates must be: --A U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident; --A CEO or other senior management level employee of a U.S. company or organization involved in trade with and/or investment in Turkey; and --Not a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agent Registration Act of 1938, as amended (FARA). In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will consider such selection factors as: --Depth of experience in the Turkish market; --Export/investment experience; --Industry or service sector represented; --Contribution to diversity based on company size, location, demographics, and traditional under-representation in business; and --Stated commitment to actively participate in BDC activities and meetings. 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 sponsoring each individual; company's or organization's product or service line; size of the company or organization; export experience/foreign investment experience; a brief statement (not more than 2 pages) of why each candidate should be considered for membership on the Council; the particular segment of the business community each candidate would represent; a personal resume; and a statement that the applicant is not a registered Foreign Agent under FARA. DEADLINE: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be received no later than December 27, 1996. ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Mr. Boyce Fitzpatrick, Turkey Desk Officer, Office of European Union and Regional Affairs, by fax on 202/482-2897 or by mail at Room 3045, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Boyce Fitzpatrick, Turkey Desk Officer, Office of European Union and Regional Affairs, Room 3045, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; telephone: 202/482-2177. 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: November 20, 1996. William W. Ginsberg, Acting Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance. [FR Doc. 96-30294 Filed 11-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A96-30294. Public record. Not legal advice.