July 31, 2008
News Release 08-073
Inv. No. 332-477
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) will analyze the effect that conditions in key infrastructure sectors (land transport, maritime transport, and electricity) have on the competitiveness of select sub-Saharan African exports in a new study, the agency announced today.

The report is the last of three exploring the competitive factors affecting industries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) that have experienced significant increases or decreases in exports in recent years. The ITC had identified the three infrastructure sectors as having a considerable effect on the export competitiveness of many SSA industries in its two previous studies, which examined factors affecting SSA exports in the agricultural, mining and manufacturing, and services sectors.

The report, Sub-Saharan Africa: Effects of Infrastructure Conditions on Export Competitiveness, Third Annual Report, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). The ITC will deliver the report to the USTR by April 3, 2009.

The ITC's report will cover the industries that produce coffee, shea butter and downstream products thereof, tropical fruits (e.g., bananas and pineapples) and processed products thereof, textiles and apparel, and tourism services. It may also cover the industries that produce leather and natural rubber and downstream products thereof.

The ITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the third annual report on October 28, 2008. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 1, 2008, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The ITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions (one original and 14 copies) should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 7, 2008. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the ITC's notice of investigation, dated July 31, 2008, which can be obtained from the ITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at the above mentioned address or at 202-205-2000.

ITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Senate Committee on Finance, or the House Committee on Ways and Means. The resulting reports convey the ITC's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The ITC makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the ITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.