United States-Palestinian Business Advisory Group: Membership

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

United States-Palestinian Business Advisory Group: Membership

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of membership opportunity.

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SUMMARY: In February 1999, the U.S.-Palestinian Bilateral Committee

agreed to establish the United States-Palestinian Business Advisory

Group. A notice was published June 17, 1999/Volume 64, Number 116, Page

32486 and the Group was selected consisting of ten American and ten

Palestinian representatives. Both sides have now determined to enlarge

the Group. This notice announces membership opportunities for American

business representatives on the U.S. side of the Group.

DATES: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be

received on or before January 5, 2000.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Paul Thanos,

Desk Officer, Office of the Near East, U.S. Department of Commerce,

either by fax at (202) 482-0878 or by mail to Room 2029B, U.S.

Department of Commerce. 14th and Constitution, NW, Washington DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Paul Thanos, Desk Officer, Office of

the Near East, U.S. Department of Commerce, Room 2029B, 14th and

Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20230, Phone 202-482-1857.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.-Palestinian Bilateral Committee

agreed at its February 16, 1999 meeting to establish a private sector-

led business advisory group to provide input to the subcommittee on

Trade and Investment. This advisory group, to be named the United

States-Palestinian Business Advisory Group (USPBAG)--will make

recommendations that reflect private sector views, needs, and concerns

regarding business development in the West Bank and Gaza and commercial

ties between Americans and Palestinians. The USPBAG will advise the

Trade and Investment Subcommittee on the following areas:

Initiatives that can be taken to promote economic activity

between American and Palestinian businesses.

Palestinian commercial and investment laws.

Palestinian and U.S. trade policies.

Palestinian economic policies and their impact on the

business climate.

The USPBAG is comprised of two sections, an American section and a

Palestinian section. Each section now has ten members, with members

serving two year terms. The Group has yet to convene, and both sides

have now agreed to expand membership by up to five on each side.

The members of each section will, to the extent possible, represent

diverse commercial sectors. Priority sectors include: agribusiness and

food processing; banking communications; engineering and construction;

information technology; insurance; manufacturing; power generation;

restaurant and hospitality; tourism; and software, music, video

production, textiles, and retailing. The State Department will appoint

members in consultation with the Commerce Department.

Private sector members will serve in a representative capacity

presenting the views and interests of their particular industry.

Private sector members are not special government employees. U.S.

members serve at the discretion of the Secretary of State. Members will

not receive compensation for their participation in USPBAG activities.

Members participating in USPBAG meetings and events will be responsible

for their own travel, living, and other personal expenses.

In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, a

potential candidate must be:

A U.S. citizen residing in the United States.

A holder of a significant position in a private sector

company that has a unique technical expertise and outstanding

reputation.

Not a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents

Registration Act of 1938, as amended.

In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of State and

Department of

[[Page 68082]]

Commerce will consider such selection factors as:

Experience and interest in the West Bank and Gaza markets.

Industry or service sector represented.

Export/investment experience.

To be considered for membership, please provide the following:

name(s) and title(s) of the individual(s) requesting consideration;

name and address of the company or organization sponsoring each

individual; company's product, service, or technical expertise; size of

the company; export trade, investment, or international program

experience and major markets; and a brief statement of why the

candidate(s) should be considered for membership in the USPBAG.

Dated: November 30, 1999.

Thomas R. Parker,

Director, Office of the Near East.

[FR Doc. 99-31448 Filed 12-3-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3510-25-P