Annual Report From Foreign-Trade Zone Grantee to the Foreign- Trade Zones Board

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Annual Report From Foreign-Trade Zone Grantee to the Foreign-

Trade Zones Board

International Trade Administration

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: 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 April 20, 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. Phone

number: (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instructions should be directed

to: Claudia Hausler, Foreign Trade Zones Staff, Room 3716, 14th &

Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230; Phone number: (202) 482-

2862, and fax number: (202) 482-0002. The FTZ Annual Report Form and

Guidelines, as well as the Regulations, are available on-line at http:/

/www.ita.doc.gov/import__admin/records/ftzpage/ftzhome.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The Foreign-Trade Zone Annual Report is the vehicle by which

Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) grantees report annually to the Foreign Trade

Zones Board, pursuant to the requirements of the Foreign Trade Zones

Act (19 U.S.C. 81a-81u). The annual reports submitted by grantees are

the only complete source of compiled information on FTZ's. The data and

information contained in the reports relates to international trade

activity in FTZ's. The reports are used by the Congress and the

Department to determine the economic effect of the FTZ program. The

reports are also used by the FTZ Board and other trade policy officials

to determine whether zone activity is consistent with U.S.

international trade policy, and whether it is in the public interest.

The public uses the information regarding activities carried on in

FTZ's to evaluate their effect on industry sectors. The information

contained in annual reports also helps zone grantees in their marketing

efforts.

II. Method of Collection

FTZ grantees submit annual reports to the Foreign-Trade Zones

Board.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0109.

Form Number: ITA-359P.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: State, local, or tribal governments or not-for-

profit institutions which are FTZ grantees.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 150.

Estimated Time Per Response: 37 to 180 hours (depending on the size

and structure of the FTZ).

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 11,881 hours.

Estmated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $471,906.00 ($401,002.00 for submitters and $70,904.00

for federal government).

[[Page 8433]]

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: February 11, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-4098 Filed 2-18-98; 8:45 a.m]

BILLING CODE 3510-DS