Miscellaneous International Trade Notices
The Washington Trade Daily (WTD) reports that on October 26, 2006, World Trade Organization (WTO) members were expected to formally receive Vietnam's draft schedule of commitments on goods and services and a draft report on its multilateral legal and institutional obligations as a final step in its accession to the WTO. The article indicates that Vietnam is expected to be ready to formally join the WTO as early as December 2006, and that U.S. officials are pressing Congress to approve PNTR (permanent normal trade relations) for Vietnam before then, so that the U.S. can recognize Vietnam's status as a WTO member. (WTD Pub 10/26/06 and 10/27/06, www.washingtontradedaily.com)
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1. Vietnam May Accede to WTO in December - PNTR Still Needed from U.S.
2. President Bush Signs Secure Fence Act of 2006 into Law
According to an Associated Press article, on October 26, 2006, President Bush signed H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act of 2006, into law. (See ITT's Online Archives or 10/25/06 news, 06102515, for BP summary of H.R. 6061.) (AP article, dated 10/26/06, available at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15424055/.)
3. DHS Invests in Next-Generation Radiological Detection Equipment
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a press release announcing that its Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO) has announced $113 million in competitive awards to enhance the detection of radiological materials at U.S. ports of entry. According to the press release, DHS anticipates purchasing and deploying roughly 1,000 next generation handheld systems and 200 backpack systems through its Human Portable Radiation Detection Systems (HPRDS) program. (DHS press release, dated 10/25/06, available at http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/releases/pr_1161798684239.shtm.)
4. APHIS Notice on Int'l Sanitary/Phytosanitary Standard-Setting Activities
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has issued a notice informing, and requesting comments from, the public on the international standard setting activities of the World Organization for Animal Health, the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), and the North American Plant Protection Organization (NAPPO). (D/N APHIS-2006-0109, FR Pub 10/13/06, available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17025.pdf)
5. Foreign-Trade Zones Board Actions
The FTZB has issued the following notices of recent FTZ actions:
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FMC notices (reissuances, revocations & applications) (FR Pub 10/18/06) available at http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/01jan20061800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2006/pdf/E6-17360.pdf