Various U.S. government agencies are seeking comments on the following information collections for which they have requested or intend to request Office of Management and Budget approval or extension of approval (see notices for specific details):
The State Department announces that one foreign person and three entities in China, an entity in Belarus, two entities in Iran, and an entity in North Korea have engaged in activities that warrant the imposition of measures pursuant to Section 3 of the Iran, North Korea, and Syria Nonproliferation Act, which include a ban on U.S. government procurement.
The U.S. and Laos signed a comprehensive Open Skies agreement on July 13, 2010 that will expand and liberalize their bilateral civil aviation relationship. The agreement represents a market-oriented approach to aviation relations. The agreement will facilitate trade and tourism links with Laos and provide new commercial opportunities to airlines of the U.S. and Laos and the traveling public, while preserving aviation safety and security.
The Foreign Agricultural Service has issued a July 13, 2010 International Agriculture Trade Report which states U.S. agricultural exports to the European Union are on the rebound. In recent years, exports of agricultural products to the EU have trailed growth in overall U.S. agricultural exports to the world. From 2000 to 2009, U.S. exports to all destinations increased by 90 percent (from $52.7 billion to $96.6 billion); over the same time period exports to the EU increased only 17 percent making it one of the slowest growing markets. However, shipments have been strong through the first seven months of fiscal 2010 and are forecast for the year at $8.3 billion, up 9 percent over last year. Exports over the second half of the year will be influenced by the European financial situation, strength of the dollar, and competitor supplies.
The Commerce Department announces that Peter Perez, a 40-year veteran of the manufacturing sector, joined the International Trade Administration on July 12, 2010 as the deputy assistant secretary for manufacturing. Perez will be responsible for identifying key factors affecting competitiveness and barriers to exports for more than 21 industry sectors.
The Commerce Department announced that U.S. exports increased by 2.4 percent in May 2010 to $152.3 billion from their April 2010 level. Imports in May increased 2.9 percent over April to $194.5 billion. Commerce Secretary Locke noted that exports continue to boost the number of U.S. goods and services sold overseas -- up almost 18 percent over the first five months of the year.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is proposing to grant a 2-year, limited exemption from the federal hours-of-service regulations for the transportation of anhydrous ammonia from any distribution point to a local farm retailer and/or to the ultimate consumer, if it takes place within a 100 air-mile radius of the distribution point. Comments are due by August 13, 2010.
The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has issued a notice that lists those applying for ocean transportation intermediary licenses as a non-vessel-operating common carrier (NVOCC), ocean freight forwarder (FF) or NVOCC/FF OTI, as follows: