The Commerce Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) in March 2014 will discontinue issuance of Specially Designated Nationals data files in the 32 bit self-extracting archive known as “SDALLW32.EXE.” OFAC will continue to provide and update the 32 bit .zip archive known as “SDALL.ZIP.” The change may impact SDN download processes. OFAC recommends users utilize the .ZIP file. Those interested in providing feedback should contact OFAC at O_F_A_C@treasury.gov.
With operator annual reports becoming due, the Foreign-Trade Zones Board announced a series of webinars covering submission of the reports through the Online FTZ Information System. FTZ operators must submit their reports to the grantee by the deadline set by the grantee, which must then in turn submit its report to the FTZB by March 31. To supplement training videos and tutorials on the FTZB website (here), the board scheduled free webinars Jan. 16 and Feb. 5 for operators on the use of OFIS to fill out and submit annual reports to the grantee. FTZB will set free webinars Jan. 28 and Feb. 26 for grantees on the use of OFIS to finalize and submit annual reports to the FTZB. RSVPs are required two business days prior to each webinar.
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for Dec. 4:
The Commerce Department said its infrastructure business development mission to Mexico is now set for Feb. 3-7. The trade mission was originally scheduled for Nov. 18-22 (see 13080723).
The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) scheduled the following public meetings in December:
The Foreign Trade Zones Board issued the following notices for Nov. 26:
The Foreign-Trade Zones Board approved a bid by the city of San Jose to expand FTZ 18 to cover all of Santa Clara County, Calif., the cities of Santa Cruz and Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, and the cities of Fremont, Hayward, Newark and Union City in Alameda County, Calif. The zone previously included only the city of San Jose.
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) canceled teleconferences scheduled to be hosted by Assistant Secretary for Export Administration Kevin Wolf on Nov. 27 and Dec. 24. The other BIS weekly teleconferences scheduled for December will proceed as planned, BIS said. Wolf will host a teleconference Jan. 2, titled "Revisions to the Export Administration Regulations: Military Vehicles; Vessels of War; Submersible Vessels, Oceanographic Equipment; Related Items; and Auxiliary and Miscellaneous Items that the President Determines No Longer Warrant Control under the United States Munitions List." The teleconference will be in conjunction with the implementation of the second Export Control Reform (ECR) revision to the U.S. Munitions List, effective Jan. 6. Those interested in obtaining additional information about ECR may contact OESDSeminar@bis.doc.gov. Email ITTNews@warren-news.com for a copy of the BIS release.
The International Trade Administration said it will lead an automotive industry trade mission to India April 24-30 to promote exports of U.S. automotive goods. The mission will include representatives from U.S. companies that provide aftermarket auto components, vehicle performance enhancement, automotive care, maintenance, service parts, accessories, testing and garage equipment products and services, and U.S. trade associations representing companies in these sectors, the ITA said. The mission will visit three cities -- New Delhi, Pune and Chennai -- where participants will receive market briefings and participate in meetings with key officials, trade and chamber associations, and prospective partners. Applications to participate are due by Jan. 31.
The International Trade Administration is asking for industry input on ways the U.S. and Mexico can cooperate to improve their bilateral economic relationship through the High-Level Economic Dialogue (HLED). At its September meeting, the HLED produced a list of recommendations for cooperation under the following three areas: promoting competitiveness and connectivity; fostering economic growth, productivity, entrepreneurship and innovation; and partnering for regional and global leadership. The ITA is asking for comments on those three areas, as well as suggested areas for cooperation within each of those areas. Comments are due by Jan. 9.