§ 3735. — Expansion of the United States and Foreign Commercial Service in subSaharan Africa.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 19USC3735]
TITLE 19--CUSTOMS DUTIES
CHAPTER 23--EXTENSION OF CERTAIN TRADE BENEFITS TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
SUBCHAPTER III--ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RELATED ISSUES
Sec. 3735. Expansion of the United States and Foreign Commercial
Service in sub-Saharan Africa
(a) Findings
The Congress makes the following findings:
(1) The United States and Foreign Commercial Service (hereafter
in this section referred to as the ``Commercial Service'') plays an
important role in helping United States businesses identify export
opportunities and develop reliable sources of information on
commercial prospects in foreign countries.
(2) During the 1980s, the presence of the Commercial Service in
sub-Saharan Africa consisted of 14 professionals providing services
in eight countries. By early 1997, that presence had been reduced by
half to seven professionals in only four countries.
(3) Since 1997, the Department of Commerce has slowly begun to
increase the presence of the Commercial Service in sub-Saharan
Africa, adding five full-time officers to established posts.
(4) Although the Commercial Service Officers in these countries
have regional responsibilities, this kind of coverage does not
adequately service the needs of United States businesses attempting
to do business in sub-Saharan Africa.
(5) The Congress has, on several occasions, encouraged the
Commercial Service to focus its resources and efforts in countries
or regions in Europe or Asia to promote greater United States export
activity in those markets, and similar encouragement should be
provided for countries in sub-Saharan Africa as well.
(6) Because market information is not widely available in many
sub-Saharan African countries, the presence of additional Commercial
Service Officers and resources can play a significant role in
assisting United States businesses in markets in those countries.
(b) Appointments
Subject to the availability of appropriations, by not later than
December 31, 2001, the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the
Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Director General of the United
States and Foreign Commercial Service, shall take steps to ensure that--
(1) at least 20 full-time Commercial Service employees are
stationed in sub-Saharan Africa; and
(2) full-time Commercial Service employees are stationed in not
less than 10 different sub-Saharan African countries.
(c) Initiative for sub-Saharan Africa
In order to encourage the export of United States goods and services
to sub-Saharan African countries, the International Trade Administration
shall make a special effort to--
(1) identify United States goods and services which are the best
prospects for export by United States companies to sub-Saharan
Africa;
(2) identify, where appropriate, tariff and nontariff barriers
that are preventing or hindering sales of United States goods and
services to, or the operation of United States companies in, sub-
Saharan Africa;
(3) hold discussions with appropriate authorities in sub-Saharan
Africa on the matters described in paragraphs (1) and (2) with a
view to securing increased market access for United States exporters
of goods and services;
(4) identify current resource allocations and personnel levels
in sub-Saharan Africa for the Commercial Service and consider plans
for the deployment of additional resources or personnel to that
region; and
(5) make available to the public, through printed and electronic
means of communication, the information derived pursuant to
paragraphs (1) through (4) for each of the 4 years after May 18,
2000.
(Pub. L. 106-200, title I, Sec. 125, May 18, 2000, 114 Stat. 270.)
