U.S.-Turkey Business Development Council: Membership

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

U.S.-Turkey Business Development Council: Membership

ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity.

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SUMMARY: As part of its Big Emerging Market Strategy for Turkey, the

U.S. Department of Commerce is establishing a Business Development

Council (BDC) in cooperation with the Turkish Government. This notice

updates the Federal Register notice published November 22, 1996, (61 FR

60261) previously announcing membership opportunities in the U.S.-

Turkey BDC. The U.S. Department of Commerce seeks 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 a number of issues of mutual concern including 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 in early

1998 in Ankara, Turkey with government and private sector members from

both countries in attendance.

Obligations

It is anticipated that U.S. private sector members will be

appointed for a two year term and will serve at the discretion of the

U.S. Secretary of Commerce and as representatives of the U.S. business

community. They are expected to participate fully in defining the

agenda for the Council and in implementing its work program. They are

fully responsible for travel, living and personal expenses associated

with their participation on the Council, and may be responsible for a

pro rata share of administrative and communications costs of the

Council.

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:

--U.S. citizens or permanent U.S. residents;

--CEOs or other senior management level employees of a U.S. company or

organization involved in export 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;

--Company size or, if an organization, size and number of member

companies;

--Contribution to diversity based on company size, location,

demographics, and traditional underrepresentation 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, if an

organization, the size and number of member companies; 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; and a personal resume.

DEADLINE: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be

received no later than November 3, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Ms. Maria

Dorsett, Turkey Desk Officer, Office of European Union and Regional

Affairs, by fax on 202/482-2897 or by mail at Room 3036, U.S.

Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Maria Dorsett of the Office of

European Union and Regional Affairs, Room 3036, U.S. Department of

Commerce, Washington, D.C. 20230; telephone: 202/482-6008.

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.

[[Page 51832]]

Dated: September 30, 1997.

Franklin J. Vargo,

Acting Assistant Secretary for Market Access and Compliance.

[FR Doc. 97-26317 Filed 10-2-97; 8:45 am]

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