BIS Agenda for Final Six Months of Bush Administration
The Bureau of Industry and Security's Under Secretary of Commerce Mancuso gave a keynote speech on July 30, 2008, in which he discussed the BIS agenda for the final six months of the Bush Administration.
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BIS to Give Special Focus to Certain Agenda Items
In his speech, Mancuso stated that the following BIS agenda items would receive special focus1 during the last six months of the Administration:
Iran and reauthorization of the EAA. Mancuso stated that BIS will continue to focus on nations of illicit transshipment concern, proliferators, and terrorists. The challenge of Iran is of singular importance and exemplifies why BIS special agents need enhanced enforcement authorities, and why the Administration strongly supports the reauthorization of the Export Administration Act of 1979 (EAA).
Mancuso notes that a new EAA would strengthen the system and enhance U.S. security by enabling domestic and international investigations and enforcement actions to proceed more quickly, efficiently, and effectively; and it will bolster U.S. diplomatic efforts around the world and encourage other countries to adopt their own export control laws.
Implementation of dual-use directive and update of deemed export policy. BIS will continue to work with stakeholders and other agencies to implement the dual-use directive signed by the President in January. Specifically, and further to BIS' ongoing review of the Commerce Control List, BIS intends to progress on a number of important regulatory issues, including: the intra-company transfer license exception; deemed exports; encryption; thermal imaging; foreign availability; and EAA Section 17(c).
BIS intends to update its deemed export policy before the end of the Administration. BIS has formed an Emerging Technology and Research Advisory Committee (ETRAC) to help with updating its deemed export policy.
Review of global crime control regulations. BIS has commenced a review of its global crime control regulations, and will work with industry stakeholders and the nongovernmental organization (NGO) community to ensure appropriate regulations.
Engagement with international technology markets. BIS is continuing its international engagement with the most important technology markets in the world. For example, in early September, BIS is hosting the inaugural U.S.-Israel High Technology Forum in Washington, the most senior bilateral dialogue dedicated to high technology trade and investment issues. This fall, BIS will also host formal bilateral talks with each of China, Hong Kong SAR, and India, as well as conduct ongoing outreach with other partners and allies around the world.
BIS management agenda. BIS will continue to execute an important management agenda, which will support its current work, contribute to a smooth transition to the next administration, and better position BIS for the future.
1Mancuso noted that BIS' agenda through January 20, 2009 included other efforts (e.g., the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS), the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS), industrial base issues, offsets, etc.); however, the agenda items listed above will receive extra attention from the entire BIS leadership team.
(See ITT's Online Archives or 01/30/08 news, 08013020, for BP summary of the President's January 22, 2008 export control directives.
See ITT's Online Archives or 05/17/07 news, 07051730, for BP summary of the Administration's proposal of a bill to reauthorize the EAA and assist BIS in controlling dual-use exports.
See ITT's Online Archives or 10/23/07 news, 07102325, for BP summary of the International Emergency Economic Power Enhancement Act (IEEPA), through which BIS has implemented export controls on dual-use technologies.
See ITT's Online Archives or 11/08/07 news, 07110820, for BP summary of BIS' guidance on its implementation of the IEEPA.
See ITT's Online Archives or 01/23/08 and 03/17/08 news, 08012330 and 08031715, for BP summaries of the Deemed Export Advisory Committee's report offering recommendations on deemed export policy, and certain trade organizations' criticism of the DEAC's report, respectively.
See ITT's Online Archives or 05/20/08 news, 08052020, for BP summaries of BIS' request for comments on certain DEAC recommendations.
See ITT's Online Archives or 06/10/08 and 06/20/08 news, 08061035 and 08062030, for BP summaries of BIS' expansions of its online training program for exporters.)
Mancuso speech transcript (dated 07/30/08) available at http://www.bis.doc.gov/news/2008/mancuso_speech_07302008.pdf