Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
Washington Trade Daily reports that during the week of May 3, 2004, the House Ways and Means Committee is expected to approve H.R. 4103, the "African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) Acceleration Act" (AGOA III). (See ITT's Online Archives or 04/06/04 news, 04040605, for previous BP summary of H.R. 4103.)
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1. House Ways and Means Soon Expected to Approve AGOA III Bill
2. Six Senators and Congressmen Ask GAO to Assess Container Screening at U.S. Ports
Senators Hollings, Bingaman, and Lieberman, along with Representatives Boehlert and Gordon have asked the General Accounting Office (GAO) to conduct an assessment of technologies used to screen containers at U.S. ports. According to a press release from Senator Hollings, the GAO has been asked to focus on four areas: seals, tracking and monitoring, screening, and system integration. (Hollings press release, dated 04/28/04, availablefromBP by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.)
3. Treasury Secretary Cites Chinese Progress Toward Flexible Currency
The Treasury Secretary has issued a statement citing progress made by China to modernize its financial infrastructure with the goal of achieving a flexible currency. According to the Treasury Secretary, the Chinese have recently taken measures to liberalize certain capital flows, they are recapitalizing their banks, and they are working to develop a currency derivatives market. (Treasury Statement JS-1483, dated 04/28/04, available at http://www.treas.gov/press/releases/js1483.htm)
4. Twelve European Union Countries Sign Kyoto Convention on Customs
Shipper's NewsWire has reported that the European Community (EC) and 12 of its member states have acceded to the revised Kyoto Convention on customs, bringing the future implementation of the convention one step closer. With the addition of these countries, 31 of the required 40 contracting parties have now signed the protocol. (Shippers NewsWire Pub 05/03/04, www.americanshipper.com)
5. Hong Kong Reopens Market to U.S. Poultry Exports (Except from Texas)
The Washington File reports that Hong Kong has reopened its market to U.S. poultry exports (except from Texas) following U.S. assurances that thorough mitigation measures have been taken to contain and eradicate avian influenza. According to the article, Hong Kong ranks as the third largest market for U.S. poultry meat. (Washington File Pub 05/02/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=May&x=200405021612561_notrelluftrebor0.8680536&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)
6. President Signs Directive on Biodefense for the 21st Century
The White House and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have each posted to their Web sites a Fact Sheet stating that President Bush has signed Biodefense for the 21st Century, which is a presidential directive that outlines the essential pillars of the U.S.' biodefense program and provides specific directives to further strengthen the significant gains put in place during the past three years. (White House Fact Sheet, dated 04/28/04, available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040428-6.html; DHS Fact Sheet available at http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/display?content=3522)
7. State Dept Updates List of Countries Eligible to Trade in Rough Diamonds
The State Department has issued a public notice which, in accordance with sections 3 and 6 of the Clean Diamond Trade Act of 2003 (Act) and Section 2 of Executive Order 13312, contains an April 22, 2004 list of all participants eligible to trade in rough diamonds under the Act, and their respective importing and exporting authorities. According to the State Department, this list updates the previously published list of November 17, 2003. (Public Notice 4699, FR Pub 04/30/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/14mar20010800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-9846.pdf)