Miscellaneous International Trade Notices

1. "Green" Initiatives Improve the Outlook for Port Expansion

2. DOT Secretary Mineta Submits Resignation Effective July 7, 2006

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has posted to its website the resignation letter of the Secretary of Transportation, Norman Y. Mineta, to President Bush announcing his resignation, effective July 7, 2006. Among other things, Mineta alluded to some of the most notable events during his five years of service as DOT Secretary, including the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001 and the signing of the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). (DOT resignation letter, dated 06/20/06, available at http://www.dot.gov/affairs/MinetaLetter.pdf)

3. Commerce Secretary Launches U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue in Rio de Janeiro

The Commerce Department has issued a press release announcing the launch of the U.S.-Brazil Commercial Dialogue-the goal of which is to develop strategies that will stimulate bilateral trade and investment, with a focus on improving the competitiveness of each country. According to the press release, the dialogue topics included business facilitation, trade and investment promotion, and other commercial issues of mutual benefit. (Press release, dated 06/06/06, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/June/06_US-Brazil_Commercial_Dialogue_rls.htm; Fact sheet on dialogue accomplishments, dated 06/06/06, available at http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/Secretary_Gutierrez/2006_Releases/June/06_US-Brazil_Commercial_Dialogue_FactSheet.htm)

4. DHS Issues Final Rule to Implement the SAFETY Act of 2002

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule, effective July 10, 2006, which implements the Support Antiterrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002 (SAFETY Act, Subtitle G of Title VIII of the Homeland Security Act of 2002), which provides critical incentives for the development and deployment of anti-terrorism technologies by providing liability protections for providers of "qualified anti-terrorism technologies." (See ITT's Online Archives or 07/15/03 and 10/23/03 news, 03071599 3 and 03102399 4, for BP summaries of the proposed and interim rules on implementing the SAFETY Act, respectively.) (USCG-2003-15425, FR Pub 06/08/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5223.pdf)

5. President Blocks Property of Certain Persons Associated with Belarus

The President has issued Executive Order 13405 on June 16, 2006 blocking the property of certain members of the Government of Belarus and other persons considered to be responsible for misuse of authority and public assets in Belarus. (Executive Order 13405 of 06/16/06, FR Pub 06/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5592.pdf)

6. President Extends Order Blocking Property of Government of Russian Federation

On June 19, 2006 the President issued notice continuing for one year beyond June 21, 2006, Executive Order 13159 blocking property and interests in property of the Government of the Russian Federation that are in the U.S., etc., which are directly related to the HEU Agreements on the downblending of uranium from nuclear weapons. Executive Order 13159 was originally issued on June 21, 2000. (Presidential Notice of 06/19/06, FR Pub 06/20/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5593.pdf)

7. BIS' MPETAC to Hold Open Meeting on July 6, 2006

The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has issued a notice announcing that the Materials Processing Equipment Technical Advisory Committee (MPETAC) will hold an open meeting in Washington, DC on July 6, 2006. The agenda of this meeting includes a report on Wassenaar Experts meeting, a report on proposed changes to the Export Administration Regulations, etc. (FR Pub 06/19/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/06-5525.pdf.)

8. DoD Interim Rule Waives Buy American Act for Certain CAFTA-DR Materials

The Department of Defense (DoD) has issued an interim rule, effective June 16, 2006, which amends the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (48 CFR 252) to implement the Dominican Republic-Central America-U.S. Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) with respect to El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. DoD states that the DR-CAFTA waives the applicability of the Buy American Act for some foreign supplies and construction materials and specifies procurement procedures designed to ensure fairness. (DFARS Case 2006-D019, FR Pub 06/16/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9500.pdf)

9. Shipping Coordinating Committee Meeting on IMO's FAL 33

The State Department announced that its Shipping Coordinating Committee (SCC) was scheduled to hold an open meeting on June 26, 2006 in Washington, DC to prepare for the thirty-third session of the Facilitation Committee of the International Maritime Organization (IMO FAL 33). Matters of discussion will include, among other things, review of the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic and measures to enhance maritime security. (FR Pub 06/15/06 available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-9358.pdf)

10. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions

The FTZ has issued the following notices of recent FTZB actions: