BIS TO FOCUS OVERSEAS ENFORCEMENT ON TRANSSHIPMENT HUBS

BIS TO FOCUS OVERSEAS ENFORCEMENT ON TRANSSHIPMENT HUBS    The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security will focus its overseas export monitoring and enforcement efforts on major freight transshipment hubs.
   “Many such hubs are located near countries that pose proliferation concerns, and potentially could be used by terrorists or rogue nations to divert sensitive items to unauthorized destinations or end users,” said Kenneth I. Juster, undersecretary of Commerce at the Update 2002 Export Controls and Policy Conference in Washington.
   The Bureau of Industry and Security is responsible for monitoring exports of so-called dual-use items — those items that can be used for both commercial and military purposes.
   “By focusing the bureau’s international efforts on these major transshipment hubs, we can maximize our ability to monitor and enforce controls on sensitive items and technologies,” Juster said. “If we can tighten security and enhance export control systems at these major transshipment hubs, then we can increase the security of a significant amount of global commerce — which is obviously in everyone’s interest.”
   The Bureau of Industry and Security has recently launched the Transshipment Countries Export Control Initiative. The initiative includes two components:
   * Work with foreign government export regulators in key transshipment hubs to strengthen their export control regimes and better enforce U.S. regulations.
   * Work with transportation providers to enlist their support to prevent illicit shipments.
   “Efforts undertaken pursuant to this initiative will be focused on countries that are significant global commercial hubs, that are geographically proximate to countries of concern, and that have expressed a strong desire to work closely with the United States in combating illicit transshipments,” Juster said.
   Juster leaves Oct. 8 for a trip to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand to hold bilateral discussions with government officials to consider increased cooperation on controls for illicit exports.
   In December, the Bureau of Industry and Security will co-sponsor a conference in Bangkok with the State Department and Customs Service for countries in Southeast Asia to address transshipment concerns.
   “In addition, we have begun to reach out to certain key players in the global transportation industry and will continue to do so in upcoming weeks,” Juster said.