U.S. BUSINESS JET AIRCRAFT INDUSTRY'S COMPETITIVENESS WILL BE FOCUS OF NEW USITC STUDY.

WASHINGTON -- The following information was released by the U.S. International Trade Commission:

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) has launched an investigation into the global competitiveness of the U.S. business jet aircraft industry.

The investigation, Business Jet Aircraft Industry: Structure and Factors Affecting Competitiveness, was requested by the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means in a letter received on May 23, 2011.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide, to the extent practicable, a discussion and analysis of the structure and factors affecting the competitiveness of the business jet aircraft industry in the United States, Brazil, Canada, Europe, and China. The report will focus on the 2006-2011 time period and, to the extent that information is publicly available, will discuss:

the structure of the global industry, including supply chain relationships and foreign direct investment;

an overview of the global market for business jet aircraft and recent developments, such as the economic downturn, that may have affected demand;

an examination of production, consumption, sales, financing mechanisms, research and development, and business innovation;

government policies and programs that focus on or otherwise involve the industry, including policies and programs affecting financing, research and development, and certification; and

factors that may affect the future competitiveness of the U.S. business jet aircraft industry, such as workforce characteristics, changes in regional demand, and new and growing entrants through 2028.

The USITC expects to submit its report to the Committee by April 23, 2012.

The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on September 28, 2011. Requests to appear at the hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on August 19, 2011, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, call 202-205-2000.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions (one original and 14 copies) should be addressed to the Secretary of the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date, but no later than 5:15 p.m. on October 5, 2011. All written submissions, except for confidential business information, will be available for public inspection.

Further information on the scope of the investigation and appropriate submissions is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated June 15, 2011, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the Office of the Secretary at 202-205-2000.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subject investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigations reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.