I.  Background

The Netherlands Antilles was designated as a beneficiary country under the Caribbean Basin Initiative (see 19 U.S.C. 2702). According to the initiative, successor political entities remain eligible as beneficiary countries. On October 10, 2010, Curacao and Sint Maarten became autonomous territories of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Bonaire, Saba, and Sint Eustatius now fall under the direct administration of the Netherlands. Additional information about this change is available at http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/22528.htm.

With this change, the definitions have been revised to replace "Netherlands Antilles" with the five separate successor entities--Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten.

This final rule amends definitions of "Caribbean Basin country" and "designated country" at FAR 25.003, and FAR clauses 52.225-5, Trade Agreements; 52.225-11, Buy American Act--Construction Materials under Trade Agreements; and 52.225-23, Required Use of American Iron, Steel, and Manufactured Goods--Buy American Act--Construction Materials Under Trade Agreements.