# Notice of Membership Opportunity for the U.S.-Haiti Business Development Council > Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more. URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-11657 ## Record - **Collection:** Federal Register - **Document type:** Notice - **Published:** May 1, 1998 - **Citation:** 63 FR 24162 ## Text DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE International Trade Administration Notice of Membership Opportunity for the U.S.-Haiti Business Development Council AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce. SUMMARY: The U.S.-Haiti Business Development Council (BDC) was established in December, 1994 as a principal component of the Department of Commerce's program of activities in support of the Clinton Administration's Haiti Recovery Initiative. The BDC is chaired jointly by the U.S. and Haitian governments. 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 is to provide a forum through which U.S. and Haitian private sector representatives can engage in constructive exchanges of information on commercial matters, and in which governments can exchange information and more effectively work together on issues of mutual concern relating to the following: --Identifying commercial opportunities, impediments, and issues of concern to the respective business communities; --Improving the dissemination of appropriate commercial information on both markets; --Promoting trade/business development and promotion programs to assist the respective business communities in accessing each market, including trade missions, exhibits, seminars, and other events; --Facilitating appropriate technical cooperation; and, --Considering other steps that may be taken to foster growth and enhance commercial relations. 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 Haiti. 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 shall be composed of two sections, a U.S. section and a Haitian section. The U.S. section will be chaired by the Under Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce, or his designee, and will include approximately 25 members from the U.S. private sector. All potential candidates will be vetted in accordance with the Department of Commerce's vetting procedures. In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, potential candidates must: -- Must represent a U.S. commercial interest involved in trade and/or investment in Haiti; and, --Not be a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended (FARA). [[Page 24163]] In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will consider such selection factors as: --Depth of experience in the Haitian market; --Import/export experience; --Industry or service sector represented; --When possible, 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 company or organization sponsoring each individual; company's or organization's product or service line; size of company or organization; export experience/foreign investment experience; a brief statement (not more than 2 pages) on why each candidate should be considered for membership on the Council; the particular segment of the business community each candidate would represent; and a statement that the applicant is not a registered Foreign Agent under the FARA. DEADLINE: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be received no later than June 1, 1998. ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Ms. Elizabeth Jaffee, Haiti Desk Officer, Office of Latin America and the Caribbean, by fax on 202/482-0464 or by mail at Room 3025, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Jaffee, Haiti Desk Officer, Office of Latin America/Caribbean, Room 3025, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202/482-4302. Authority: Act of February 14, 1903, c.552, as amended, 15 U.S.C. 1512, 32 Stat. 825. Dated: April 28, 1998. Walter M. Bastian, Director, Office of Latin America and the Caribbean. [FR Doc. 98-11657 Filed 4-30-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/fr%3A98-11657. Public record. Not legal advice.