Trade and Economic Data: Many Federal Agencies Collect and DisseminateInformation. Report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on National Security Economics, Joint Economic Committee, US Congress

摘要

The General Accounting Office (GAO) was asked to obtain information on whatforeign economic data are available to U.S. businesses and policymakers to assist U.S. businesses in obtaining an appropriate share of foreign markets. GAO identified 17 agencies that collect, maintain, and disseminate foreign trade and economic data held by the Federal government. Seven agencies collect the greatest amount of this information, They are the Departments of Commerce, State, Labor, Energy, and Agriculture; the Federal Reserve System; and the U.S. International Trade Commission. Both statistical data and narrative information on foreign economies and U.S. trade are provided in either published or unpublished form to government officials or academic and business organizations. A centralized dissemination point for this data has been the National Trade Data Bank (NTDB). The Commerce Department established the Bank in August 1990 to be a one-stop source of information on foreign economies and trade as intended by the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988. GAO identified additional Federal databases not currently included in the NTDB that could make it more useful to its subscribers. NTDB officials agreed that some of the information identified could be of interest to NTDB users and is being considered for addition to the Bank. NTDB is concerned with the additional resources that expanding the Bank will require. It is likely that the NTDB would have to add a second CD-ROM and considerable monthly maintenance to the present system.