[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 130 (Monday, July 8, 2013)] [Notices] [Pages 40690-40691] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2013-16265] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bureau of Economic Analysis Proposed Information Collection; Comment Request; Direct Investment Surveys: BE-577, Quarterly Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad: Transactions of U.S. Reporter With Foreign Affiliate AGENCY: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on proposed and/or continuing information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). [[Page 40691]] DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before September 6, 2013. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Jennifer Jessup, Departmental Paperwork Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 6616, 14th and Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC 20230, or via email at [email protected]. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should be directed to Sarahelen Thompson, Acting Chief, Direct Investment Division (BE-50), Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, DC 20230; phone: (202) 606-9660; fax: (202) 606- 5318; or via email at [email protected]. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Quarterly Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad--Transactions of U.S. Reporter with Foreign Affiliate (Form BE-577), obtains quarterly data on transactions and positions between U.S.-owned foreign business enterprises and their U.S. parents. The survey is a sample survey that covers all foreign affiliates above a size-exemption level. The sample data are used to derive universe estimates in nonbenchmark years from similar data reported in the BE-10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad, which is conducted every five years. The data are used in the preparation of the U.S. international transactions accounts, the input-output accounts, the national income and product accounts, and the international investment position of the United States. The data are needed to measure the size and economic significance of direct investment abroad, measure changes in such investment, and assess its impact on the U.S. and foreign economies. No changes to the survey forms or reporting requirements are proposed. II. Method of Collection Survey forms are sent to potential respondents each quarter; responses are due within 30 days after the close of each fiscal quarter, except for the final quarter of the fiscal year, when reports should be filed within 45 days. A report must be filed for every foreign business enterprise whose voting stock (or the equivalent) is owned 10 percent or more by a U.S. business enterprise and for which any one of the following three items was greater than $60 million (positive or negative) at the end of, or for, the foreign business enterprise's fiscal year: (1) Total assets, (2) annual sales or gross operating revenues excluding sales taxes, or (3) net income after provision for foreign income taxes. As an alternative to filing paper forms, BEA offers an electronic filing option, the eFile system, for use in reporting on Form BE-577. For more information about eFile, go to www.bea.gov/efile. Potential respondents are those U.S. parents that reported owning foreign business enterprises in the 2009 benchmark survey of U.S. direct investment abroad, along with entities that subsequently entered the direct investment universe. The data collected are sample data. Universe estimates are developed from the reported sample data. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0608-0004. Form Number: BE-577. Type of Review: Regular submission. Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit organizations. Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,900 U.S. parents filing for 15,000 foreign affiliates per quarter; 60,000 annually. Estimated Time per Response: 1 hour is the average, but may vary considerably among respondents because of differences in company structure and complexity. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 60,000. Estimated Total Annual Cost to Public: $0. Respondent's Obligation: Mandatory. Legal Authority: International Investment and Trade in Services Survey Act (Pub. L. 94-472, 22 U.S.C. 3101-3108, as amended by P.L. 98- 573 and Pub. L. 101-533). IV. Request for Comments Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden (including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on respondents, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they also will become a matter of public record. Dated: July 2, 2013. Glenna Mickelson, Management Analyst, Office of Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2013-16265 Filed 7-5-13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-06-P