[Federal Register: May 1, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 84)]
[Notices]               
[Page 24162-24163]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01my98-47]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration

 
Notice of Membership Opportunity for the U.S.-Haiti Business 
Development Council

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, Department of Commerce.

SUMMARY: The U.S.-Haiti Business Development Council (BDC) was 
established in December, 1994 as a principal component of the 
Department of Commerce's program of activities in support of the 
Clinton Administration's Haiti Recovery Initiative. The BDC is chaired 
jointly by the U.S. and Haitian governments. The Department of Commerce 
is currently seeking nominations of outstanding individuals to serve on 
the U.S. section of the BDC as representatives of their particular 
industry sector. The purpose of the BDC is to provide a forum through 
which U.S. and Haitian private sector representatives can engage in 
constructive exchanges of information on commercial matters, and in 
which governments can exchange information and more effectively work 
together on issues of mutual concern relating to the following:

--Identifying commercial opportunities, impediments, and issues of 
concern to the respective business communities;
--Improving the dissemination of appropriate commercial information on 
both markets;
--Promoting trade/business development and promotion programs to assist 
the respective business communities in accessing each market, including 
trade missions, exhibits, seminars, and other events;
--Facilitating appropriate technical cooperation; and,
--Considering other steps that may be taken to foster growth and 
enhance commercial relations.

Obligations

    Private sector members will be appointed for a two (2) year term 
and will serve at the discretion of the Secretary of Commerce. Private 
sector members shall serve as representatives of the business community 
and the industry their business represents. Private sector members are 
expected to participate fully in defining the agenda for the Council 
and in implementing its work program. It is expected that private 
sector members chosen for BDC membership will attend at least seventy-
five percent (75%) of the BDC meetings which will be held in the United 
States and Haiti.
    Private sector members are fully responsible for travel, living and 
personal expenses associated with their participation in the BDC. The 
private sector members will serve in a representative capacity 
presenting the views and interests of the particular business sector in 
which they operate; private sector members are not special government 
employees. It is anticipated that the private sector members of the BDC 
will form a steering committee to guide overall private sector 
participation. It is further anticipated that the steering committee 
will arrange for staff support for the BDC activities at the expense of 
the steering committee members.

Criteria

    The Council shall be composed of two sections, a U.S. section and a 
Haitian section. The U.S. section will be chaired by the Under 
Secretary for International Trade of the Department of Commerce, or his 
designee, and will include approximately 25 members from the U.S. 
private sector. All potential candidates will be vetted in accordance 
with the Department of Commerce's vetting procedures.
    In order to be eligible for membership in the U.S. section, 
potential candidates must:

-- Must represent a U.S. commercial interest involved in trade and/or 
investment in Haiti; and,
--Not be a registered foreign agent under the Foreign Agents 
Registration Act of 1938, as amended (FARA).


[[Page 24163]]


    In reviewing eligible candidates, the Department of Commerce will 
consider such selection factors as:

--Depth of experience in the Haitian market;
--Import/export experience;
--Industry or service sector represented;
--When possible, contribution to diversity based on company size, 
location, demographics, and traditional under-representation in 
business; and,
--Stated commitment to actively participate in BDC activities and 
meetings.

    To be considered for membership, please provide the following: name 
and title of individual proposed for consideration; name and address of 
company or organization sponsoring each individual; company's or 
organization's product or service line; size of company or 
organization; export experience/foreign investment experience; a brief 
statement (not more than 2 pages) on why each candidate should be 
considered for membership on the Council; the particular segment of the 
business community each candidate would represent; and a statement that 
the applicant is not a registered Foreign Agent under the FARA.

DEADLINE: In order to receive full consideration, requests must be 
received no later than June 1, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Please send your requests for consideration to Ms. Elizabeth 
Jaffee, Haiti Desk Officer, Office of Latin America and the Caribbean, 
by fax on 202/482-0464 or by mail at Room 3025, U.S. Department of 
Commerce, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Elizabeth Jaffee, Haiti Desk 
Officer, Office of Latin America/Caribbean, Room 3025, U.S. Department 
of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230, telephone: 202/482-4302.

    Authority: Act of February 14, 1903, c.552, as amended, 15 
U.S.C. 1512, 32 Stat. 825.

    Dated: April 28, 1998.
Walter M. Bastian,
Director, Office of Latin America and the Caribbean.
[FR Doc. 98-11657 Filed 4-30-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DA-P