Participation Agreement and Trade Mission Application; Proposed Collection

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Participation Agreement and Trade Mission Application; Proposed

Collection

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 (2)(A)).

Dates: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 29,

1999.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier,

Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room

5027, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230. Phone

number: (202) 482-3272. Email: LE[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or

copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should

be directed to: John Klingelhut, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service,

Export Promotion Services, Room 2810, 14th & Constitution Avenue, NW,

Washington, DC 20230; Phone number: (202) 482-4403, and fax number:

(202) 482-2526.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

The ITA-4008P, ``Participation Agreement,'' is the vehicle by which

individual firms agree to participate in any of ITA's trade promotion

programs, and record their required participation fee to the U.S.

Department of Commerce's (DOC). Together with the relevant ITA-4008P-A,

``Conditions of Participation,'' it forms a contract between the

individual firm and the

[[Page 52292]]

DOC. The ITA-4008P-1, ``Trade Mission Application,'' is used to solicit

information from firms seeking to participate in DOC overseas trade

missions covered by the Statement of Policy Governing Overseas Trade

Missions of the Department of Commerce issued by Secretary Daley on

March 3, 1997. Trade Mission participants will be required to complete

the Forms ITA-4008P, ITA-4008P-1, and ITA-4008P-A. Other DOC trade

event participants will complete Forms ITA-4008P and ITA-4008P-A.

II. Method of Collection

The forms are sent by request to potential U.S. firms.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0147.

Form Number: ITA-4008P, ITA-4008P-1 and ITA-4008P-A.

Type of Review: Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Business or other for profit.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,500.

Estimated Time Per Response: 20-70 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,792 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $150,315.00 ($100,195.00 for respondents and $50,120.00

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.

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: September 23, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Department Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-25148 Filed 9-27-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-FP-U