The Pentagon should improve its end-use monitoring of defense exports to Ukraine, the Defense Department's inspector general said in a new report this month.

The State Department approved a potential $75 million military sale to Kosovo, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Jan. 11. The sale includes Javelin missiles and related equipment, and the prime contractor will be the Javelin Joint Venture between Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Missiles and Defense.

The Bureau of Industry and Security is extending the public comment period for an information collection involving import and end-use certificates, its delivery verification procedures and its firearms entry clearance requirements. The certificates are obtained by the foreign importer and transmitted to the U.S. exporter, BIS said, and the delivery verification certificate, which the agency requires as part of its export control program, must be completed by the ultimate consignee when the goods are delivered. BIS said the firearms entry clearance requirements are “necessary” due to the 2020 shift in export control jurisdiction of certain defense items from the State Department to the Commerce Department (see 2001170030). BIS is allowing for another 30 days of comments from after the notice is published on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.

The State Department recently approved three potential military sales worth more than $550 million combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.

The Bureau of Industry and Security completed a round of interagency review for a proposed rule that could make clarifications and updates to the Defense Priorities and Allocations System Regulation, which is used to prioritize certain defense-related contracts and orders. BIS sent the rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs Oct. 17, and the review was completed Jan. 8.

The Bureau of Industry and Security extended the public comment period for an information collection involving rated orders under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System. The system is used to prioritize national defense contracts and orders to support the U.S. military or “emergency preparedness,” and in some cases, provide military or critical infrastructure assistance to foreign nations. BIS is allowing for an additional 30 days of public comments following the publication of the notice on the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs website.

USDA is accepting applications from exporters for its upcoming trade mission to India, the agency's Foreign Agricultural Service said this week. The April 22-25 trade mission will feature meetings with Indian importers, market briefings on the region, “relevant” site visits in New Delhi and opportunities to speak with USDA officials.

The FDA this week alerted industry about changes to its Export Listing Module for applications related to seafood exports to Saudi Arabia.

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network began accepting beneficial ownership information reports Jan. 1 as part of its new BOI reporting requirements, which are designed to help the government prevent sanctioned parties and others from hiding money or property in the U.S. FinCEN last week released a notice that outlines reporting deadlines for new and existing companies and what information must be submitted. The agency also released a set of frequently asked questions to provide guidance on the new reporting requirements, including who is responsible for filing and how FinCEN will enforce the requirements.

The Commerce Department announced on Jan. 4 that it has agreed to provide about $162 million to Microchip Technology under the Chips Act to nearly triple semiconductor production at the company’s facilities in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Gresham, Oregon.