Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. China to Invest in Overseas Textile Operations

2. DOT Reports Air Freight as Fastest Growing Segment of Cargo Industry

The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced that, according to a recent report released by its Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS), air freight has been the fastest growing segment of the American cargo industry, as the total value of air freight moved in the U.S. doubled from 1993 to 2002 and now totals $2.7 billion a day, growth that was faster than any other segment of the cargo industry. (DOT press release BTS 17-04, dated 06/22/04, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/bts1704)

3. TSA Starts Registered Traveler Pilot Program in Minneapolis-St. Paul Int'l Airport

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has issued a press release stating that on July 7, 2004 it kicked off the Registered Traveler Pilot Program at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in conjunction with Northwest Airlines. Under the program, approved registered travelers are now able to use a designated checkpoint lane to provide biometric information (either a finger or iris scan) to confirm identity. Registered travelers and their carry-on bags will still go through primary screening, but more extensive secondary screening is largely eliminated. The TSA's press release lists other airport/airline combinations to which the program will expand over the summer. (TSA Press Release dated 07/07/04, available at http://www.tsa.gov/public/display?theme=44&content=09000519800b5e9e)

4. OECD Steel Subsidy Talks Have Been Shifted to Informal Negotiations

The State Department's Washington File has issued a press release stating that the U.S. and 37 other countries have decided to shift from formal negotiations to informal consultations in order to narrow key differences preventing them from reaching agreement on cutting or reducing subsidies to the steel sector. The formal negotiations were conducted by the High Level Group under the auspices of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). (Washington File Pub 06/29/04, available at http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2004&m=June&x=20040629122927SAikceinawz0.9818842&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html)

5. WTO to Hold Information Technology Symposium October 18 & 19, 2004

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has issued a press release stating that its Information Technology Agreement Committee (ITA) has agreed to hold the WTO Information Technology Symposium on October 18-19, 2004 in Geneva, Switzerland. The symposium is open to all WTO members and observers, private sector IT industry representatives, academic experts in IT technologies and international intergovernmental organizations. (WTO Press Release 06/28/04, available at http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/ita_symp_oct04_e.htm)

6. Treasury Issues Final Rule on Terrorism Risk Insurance Program

The Treasury Department has issued a final rule, effective July 29, 2004, to implement Title I of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002, which established a temporary Terrorism Insurance Program under which the Federal Government will share the risk of insured loss from certified acts of terrorism with commercial property and casualty insurers. Although the final rule largely reflects the proposed rule, Treasury states that it has made several revisions and clarifications based on comments received. (See ITT's Online Archives or 12/08/03 news, 03120899 5, for BP summary of proposed rule.) (FR Pub 06/29/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14588.pdf)

7. For Cuba, BIS Revises Vessel Licensing Policy, Places New Limits on Gifts, Baggage

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a final rule, effective June 30, 2004, which places new limits on gift parcels and personal baggage, and revises licensing policy regarding vessels going to Cuba. These changes amend License Exceptions GFT and BAG, and 746.2 of the EAR, and are made to implement certain recommendations in the May 2004 Report to the President from the Commission on Assistance to a Free Cuba. (D/N 040610179-4179-01, FR Pub 06/22/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14227.pdf )

8. Designation of Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally

The President has issued a determination designating the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the U.S. for purposes of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and the Arms Export Control Act. (Presidential Determination No. 2004-37, dated 06/16/04, FR Pub 06/29/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14840.pdf )

9. State Dept's International Telecommunications Advisory Committee Meets

The State Department has issued a notice announcing a July 7, 2004 meeting of the International Telecommunication Advisory Committee to review results of the ITU-T Study Group 3 (Tariff and accounting principles) of June 2004. (State Dept Public Notice 4737, FR Pub 06/24/04, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-14344.pdf )

10. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The Foreign-Trade Zones Board (FTZB) has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions:

FTZ notices (FR Pub 07/06/04) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/pdf/04-15233.pdf