107 STAT. 2158 PUBLIC LAW 103-182—DEC. 8, 1993 SEC. 515. CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WESTERN HEMISPHERIC TRADE. (a) AMENDMENT TO THE CBL—The Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (19 U.S.C. 2701 et se^.) is amended by inserting after section 218 the following new section: Texas. <«£€. 219. CENTER FOR THE STUDY OF WESTERN HEMISPHERIC 19 USC 2707. TRADE. Grants. ««(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— The Commissioner of Customs, after consultation with appropriate officials in the State of Texas, is authorized and directed to make grants to an institution (or a consortium of such institutions) to assist such institution in planning, establishing, and operating a Center for the Study of Western Hemispheric Trade (hereafter in this section referred to as the 'Center*). The Commissioner of Customs shall make the first grant not later than December 1, 1994, and the Center shall be established not later than February 1, 1995. "(b) SCOPE OF THE CENTER.— The Center shall be a year-round program operated by an institution located in the State of Texas (or a consortium of such institutions), the purpose of which is to promote and study trade between and among Western Hemisphere countries. The Center shall conduct activities designed to examine— "(1) the impact of the NAFTA on the economies in, and trade within, the Western Hemisphere, "(2) the negotiation of any future free trade agreements, including possible accessions to the NAFTA; and "(3) adjusting teriffs, reducing nontariff barriers, improving relations among customs officials, and promoting economic relations among countries in the Western Hemisphere. "(c) CONSULTATION; SELECTION CRITERIA.— The Commissioner of Customs shall consult with appropriate officials of the State of Texas and private sector authorities with respect to selecting, planning, and esteblishing the Center. In selecting the appropriate institution, the Commissioner of Customs shall give consideration to— "(1) the institution's ability to carry out the programs and activities described in this section; and "(2) any resources the institution can provide the Center in addition to Federal funds provided under this program. "(d) PROGRAMS AND ACTIYITIES. -The Center shall conduct the following activities: "(1) Provide forums for international discussion and debate for representatives from countries in the Western Hemisphere regarding issues which affect trade and other economic relations within the hemisphere, including the impact of the NAFTA on individual economies and the desirability and feasibility of possible accessions to the NAFTA by such countries. "(2) Conduct studies and research projects on subjecte which affect Western Hemisphere trade, including teriffs, customs, regional and national economics, business development and finance, production and personnel management, manufacturing, agriculture, engineering, transportetion, immigration, telecommunications, medicine, science, urban studies, border demographics, social anthropology, and population. "(3) Publish materials, disseminate information, and conduct seminars and conferences to support and educate representatives from countries in the Western Hemisphere who
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