International Trade Administration: Management Improvements Needed to Better Prepare for the Export Challenges of the 21st Century. Final Inspection Report No. IPE-9904

摘要

We primarily examined two elements of the Department's export promotion efforts: (1) how effectively the International Trade Administration manages its programs and operations, and (2) how well ITA and other units within the Department work together to expand business opportunities for U.S. companies through international exports. Our report highlights some of the things that are working very well in ITA--including some related to (1) ITA's services and broad support for U.S. exporters and (2) the Department's collective efforts--both direct and indirect--at promoting U.S. exports. However, the report also highlights problems that hamper ITA's efforts to more effectively and efficiently carry out its export promotion responsibilities. Here we identify the need for ITA to better define, coordinate, and organize its varied roles and responsibilities. We also discuss the need to more clearly delineate responsibilities for international telecommunications trade policy and promotion between ITA and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration.