American Management and Business Internship Training (AMBIT) Program: Applications

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

American Management and Business Internship Training (AMBIT)

Program: Applications

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 burden, 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, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 12, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

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

Phone number (202) 482-3272.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or

copies of the information collection instruments and instructions

should be directed to: Tracy M. Rollins, SABIT, Room 3319, Department

of Commerce, 14th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

20230; phone (202) 482-0073, fax (202) 482-2443.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The U.S. Department of Commerce's International Trade

Administration, in collaboration with the International Fund for

Ireland (IFI), has established the American Management & Business

Internship Training (AMBIT) program. AMBIT-participating U.S. firms

provide one- to six-month training programs for managers and technical

experts from Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland,

thereby improving their skills while enhancing U.S. commercial

opportunities in the region. AMBIT is one of several U.S. Government

economic initiatives announced by President Clinton to demonstrate

America's interest in supporting the economic development of Northern

Ireland and the six border counties of Ireland.

The U.S. Department of Commerce works in partnership with the IFI,

an organization established in 1986 by the British and Irish

Governments, to promote economic/social progress and to encourage

contact, dialog, and reconciliation in the region. The United

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States, the European Union, Canada, and New Zealand contribute to the

IFI budget.

II. Method of Collection

The applications are sent to U.S. companies and intern candidates

via facsimile or mail upon request. Feedback surveys are given to

participating companies and interns at the completion of the programs.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0224.

Form Number: N/A.

Type of Review: Regular submission.

Affected Public: Business or other non-profit, individuals (non-

U.S. citizens).

Estimated Number of Respondents: 450.

Estimated Time per Response: 2.3 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 1,050.

Estimated Total Annual Cost: $63,000.

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 cost) 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 other 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: April 7, 1998.

Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and

Organization.

[FR Doc. 98-9632 Filed 4-10-98; 8:45 am]

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