Commercial News USA

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Commercial News USA

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort

to reduce paperwork and respondent burdens, invites the general public

and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the

continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork

Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. Phone

number: (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to: Jana Nelhybel, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service,

Export Promotion Service, Room 2202, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW.,

Washington, DC 20230. Phone number: (202) 482-5367, and fax number

(202) 482-5362.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

Commercial News USA (CNUSA), published twelve times a year by a

private sector firm, is the U.S. Department of Commerce's export

catalog-magazine. The product information in CNUSA reaches more than

145,000 distributors, government officials, and potential buyers

overseas through direct distribution from U.S. embassies and

consulates. Firms use the form to request that their product

information be published in CNUSA, a service for which the firms pay a

minimum fee of $445.

This information collection item allows the U.S. Department of

Commerce to promote U.S. products and services available for export as

part of the USDOC's trade promotion activities. CNUSA is a unique

export promotion service for U.S. manufacturers, service firms, and

publishers of trade and technical literature; nothing similar is

available to them through the private sector. The product promotions in

CNUSA differ from paid advertisements in that they must meet program

criteria. Because U.S. embassies and consulates handle distribution,

the product information reaches a vast, screened readership not only

through direct dissemination but also via counseling by commercial

officers and through walk-in visits to commercial libraries where CNUSA

is displayed. Further, American Chambers of Commerce, local business

editors, and other trade entities that reprint information from CNUSA

or display or disseminate the entire magazine provide a multiplier

effect.

II. Method of Data Collection

The requests are sent to the private sector publisher.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0061.

Form Number: ITA-4063P.

Type of Review: Renewal; regular submission.

Affected Public: Companies interested in placing their product

information available for export in Commercial News USA.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 2,200.

Estimated Time Per Response: 20 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 917.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: $32,095.

IV. Request for Comments

Comments are invited on (a) whether the proposed collection of

information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of

the agency, including whether the information shall have practical

utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden

(including hours and costs) of the proposed collection of information;

(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the

information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the

collection of information on respondents, including through the use of

automated collection techniques or forms of information technology.

Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized

and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information

collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

Dated: May 8, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-12821 Filed 5-13-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-FP-P