The State Department recently approved three potential military sales worth nearly $2 billion combined, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls may be delayed in responding to queries sent to its help desk and response team this week as it catches up to industry inquiries submitted during the holidays, the agency said. Because of the government closure Dec. 25 “and depending on volume of inquires received, responses may be delayed through the following week,” DDTC said. “The processing of classified provisos for delivery may also be delayed.”
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service this month issued new guidance for U.S. exporters who “continue experiencing difficulties” registering their manufacturing, processing and storage facilities under China’s Decree 248 (see 2309210011), which requires certain U.S. production facilities to meet new customs and registration procedures before their products can enter China.
The Bureau of Industry and Security is seeking public comments on the impact of the Chemical Weapons Convention on commercial activities during 2023. The agency is specifically looking for feedback on how activities involving Schedule 1 chemicals were affected to determine whether CWC decisions "harmed" the “legitimate commercial activities and interests of chemical, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical firms” this year. Comments are due by Jan. 19.
The State Department recently approved possible military sales worth a combined nearly $3 billion to Japan, Taiwan, Greece and Italy, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week opened registration for its rescheduled March 27-29 update conference on export controls and policy. The conference originally was set for Nov. 28-30 (see 2311080088).
The State Department approved a potential military sale to Poland worth $255 million, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 13. The sale includes communications equipment and “related elements of logistics and program support,” and the principal contractor will be L3 Harris Technologies.
The State Department approved a potential $80 million military sale to Romania, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 12. The sale includes Javelin missiles and related equipment, and the prime contractors will be Raytheon/Lockheed Martin Javelin Joint Venture.
Kyrgyzstan this month informed USDA that the country is no longer accepting a U.S. meat and poultry export certificate, the agency’s Foreign Agricultural Service reported. USDA said the nation “will no longer accept the U.S. Department of Agriculture's, Food Safety Inspection Service, 9060-5 Meat and Poultry Export Certificate of Wholesomeness.” The agency said it’s “actively engaged in trying to reopen the market and is working to resolve the issue with utmost haste.”
The State Department approved a potential $106.5 million military sale to Israel, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Dec. 9. The sale includes “120mm M830A1 High Explosive Anti-Tank Multi-Purpose with Tracer (MPAT) tank cartridges” and related equipment. The items in the proposed sale will come from U.S. Army inventory.