Participation Agreement and Trade Mission Application; Proposed Collection; Comment Request

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

Participation Agreement and Trade Mission Application; Proposed

Collection; Comment Request

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

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before May 18, 1999.

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 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 Participation Agreement and Trade Mission Application forms are

the vehicles by which individual firms agree to participate in the

Department of Commerce's (DOC) trade promotion program, identify the

products or services they intend to sell or promote, and record their

required participation fees. The DOC is revising questions on the

current Form ITA-4008P-1, ``Trade Mission Application,'' to clarify and

refine the information it seeks to ensure the best possible selection

of participants for trade missions.

II. Method of Collection

Form ITA-4008P-1 is sent by request to potential U.S. firms.

III. Data

OMB Number: 0625-0147.

Form Number: ITA-4008P-1.

Type of Review: Revision-Regular Submission.

Affected Public: Companies seeking to apply to participate in

overseas Commerce Department trade missions.

Estimated Number of Respondents: 7,800.

Estimated Time Per Response: 45 minutes.

Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,738 hours.

Estimated Total Annual Costs: The estimated annual cost for this

collection is $148,417.00 ($98,369.00 for respondents and $50,048.00

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: March 15, 1999.

Linda Engelmeier,

Department Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information

Officer.

[FR Doc. 99-6740 Filed 3-18-99; 8:45 am]

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