Overseas Business Interest Questionnaire; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Overseas Business Interest Questionnaire; Proposed Collection;

Comment Request

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 August 3, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5327, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to: Thomas Nisbet, Trade Development, Office of Export

Promotion Coordination, Room 2013, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW,

Washington, DC 20230; Phone number: (202) 482-5657, and fax number:

(202) 482-1999.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

This collection allows U.S. firms participating in overseas trade

events sponsored by the U.S. Department of Commerce's International

Trade Administration (ITA) an opportunity to specifically identify

their marketing objective for a specific event as well as current

marketing activities and status in the specific foreign markets where

the event will take place. The U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service/ITA

overseas posts use the information to schedule business appointments

during the trade event, arrange ``blue ribbon'' calls on key agents or

distributors identified by participants prior to an event, and to issue

specific show invitations appropriate prospective overseas business

partners. It is critical to prearrange business appointments thus

providing U.S. participants with a program of high caliber business

appointments.

II. Method of Data Collection

Form ITA-471P is sent by request to U.S. firms. Applicant firms

complete the form and forward it to the appropriate Department of

Commerce trade event manager.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0039.

Form Number: ITA-471P.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for-profit companies; small to

medium sized businesses or organizations.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,000.

Estimated Time Per Response: 30 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 490 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $20,000.00 ($18,000.00 for respondents and $2,000.00 for

federal government).

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.

[[Page 30185]]

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 29, 1998.

Madeleine Clayton,

Management Analyst, Office of Management and Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-14729 Filed 6-2-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P