Showcase Exhibit of U.S. Exports

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Showcase Exhibit of U.S. Exports

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of Showcase Exhibit of U.S. Exports.

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SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration (``ITA'') of the

Department of Commerce announces an exhibition of exported U.S.

products and services. The exhibition will showcase U.S. exports by

displaying successfully exported products and services at ITA

headquarters in Washington, D.C., to highlight the benefits of

exporting and the impact of exports on the U.S. economy. Companies and

trade associations are encouraged to express interest in providing

exhibit material. The energy sector will be the next industrial sector

to be represented.

DATES: July 15, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: On the energy sector exhibit only,

please contact: Mr. John Rasmussen, Office of Energy, Infrastructure,

and Machinery; U.S. Department of Commerce/ITA; Room 4056; Washington,

D.C. 20230; Telephone (202) 482-1889; fax (202) 482-0170.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

ITA is showcasing U.S. exports by exhibiting successfully exported

products and services at its headquarters in Washington, D.C., to

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highlight the benefits of exporting and the impact of exports on the

U.S. economy. The exhibit, which represents a series of industries and

a variety of companies, is located in the Office of the Under Secretary

for International Trade. The exhibit will be rotated approximately

every four months. The first sector selected was the motor vehicles and

automotive parts industry.

The second sector to be displayed is the energy sector. Companies

and trade associations in this sector are encouraged to express

interest in showcasing their exports of goods and/or services by

contacting ITA through the individual listed above. Displayed items may

include illustrations, miniaturized or actual models, or actual

products. Examples of appropriate displays would include models or

illustrations of drilling platforms or refineries, oil and gas pipeline

equipment, geologic instrumentation systems, power plants or electric

distribution lines that have been constructed overseas and incorporate

substantial U.S. products and/or services.

Selection Process

Items will be selected for exhibition on the basis of the following

factors:

(1) Items must be produced in, or representative of services

exported from, the United States and have at least a 51% U.S. content,

including materials, equipment and labor (in the case of large

development projects, the applicant should identify substantial U.S.

products or services into the completed project). To highlight the

impact of exports on small businesses, items will also be considered

that are produced by U.S. companies that do not directly export but

rather whose goods or services are incorporated into another company's

for export.

(2) The items must relate to the industry selected by ITA and be

suitable for exhibition in a limited space.

(3) The company must not be owned or controlled, indirectly or

directly, by a foreign government.

(4) Items chosen should reflect diversity of company size,

location, demographics, and traditional under-representation in

business.

Other conditions: Displayed items will be considered loans to the

Department. Companies will be responsible for shipment of the item to

and from the Commerce Department, for obtaining appropriate insurance,

and for all related costs.

Time Frame for Applications: Expressions of interest from the

energy sector should be received by August 17, 1998. Expressions of

interest should be sent to the ITA official identified above.

A Federal Register notice will be published subsequently to

announce the next sector to be highlighted.

Authority:15 U.S.C. 1512.

Dated: July 10, 1998.

David L. Aaron,

Under Secretary for International Trade.

[FR Doc. 98-18853 Filed 7-14-98; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-25-P