ECONOMY
SECURITY PORTAL
(WHITE HOUSE WEB)
U.S.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION
The U.S. International Trade Commission is an independent,
nonpartisan, quasi-judicial federal agency that provides
trade expertise to both the legislative and executive
branches of government, determines the impact of imports
on U.S. industries, and directs actions against certain
unfair trade practices, such as patent, trademark, and
copyright infringement. The mission of the Commission
is twofold: administer U.S. trade remedy laws in a fair
and objective manner; and provide the President, the U.S.
Trade Representative, and the Congress with independent,
quality advice and information on matters of international
trade and competitiveness. In so doing, the Commission
contributes to the development and implementation of sound
and informed U.S. trade policy.
U.S.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
The U.S. Small Business Administration, established in
1953, provides financial, technical and management assistance
to help Americans start, run, and grow their businesses.
With a portfolio of business loans, loan guarantees and
disaster loans worth more than $45 billion, in addition
to a venture capital portfolio of $13 billion, SBA is
the nation's largest single financial backer of small
businesses. Last year, the SBA offered management and
technical assistance to more than one million small business
owners. The SBA also plays a major role in the government's
disaster relief efforts by making low-interest recovery
loans to both homeowners and businesses. America's 25
million small businesses employ more than 50 percent of
the private work force, generate more than half of the
nation's gross domestic product, and are the principal
source of new jobs in the U.S. economy.
ECONOMIC
RESEARCH SERVICE
(U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE)
The Economic Research Service (ERS) is the main source
of economic information and research from the U.S. Department
of Agriculture. Located in Washington, DC, with approximately
500 employees, the mission of ERS is to inform and enhance
public and private decisionmaking on economic and policy
issues related to agriculture, food, natural resources,
and rural development. To accomplish this mission, highly
trained economists and social scientists develop and distribute
a broad range of economic and other social science information
and analysis.
BUREAU
OF ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
(U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) is an agency of
the Department of Commerce and is located at 1441 L Street
NW, Washington DC. Along with the Census Bureau and STAT-USA,
BEA is part of the Department's Economics and Statistics
Administration. BEA seeks to strengthen the understanding
of the U.S. economy and its competitive position by providing
the most accurate and relevant GDP and economic accounts
data in a timely and cost-effective manner. BEA is one
of the world's leading statistical agencies. Although
it is a relatively small agency, BEA produces some of
the most closely watched economic statistics that influence
the decisions made by government officials, business people,
households, and individuals. BEA's economic statistics,
which provide a comprehensive, up-to-date picture of the
U.S. economy, are key ingredients in critical decisions
affecting monetary policy, tax and budget projections,
and business investment plans. The cornerstone of BEA's
statistics is the national income and product accounts
(NIPA's), which feature the estimates of gross domestic
product (GDP) and related measures. The GDP was recently
recognized by the Department of Commerce as its greatest
achievement of the 20th century and has been ranked as
one of the three most influential measures that affect
U.S. financial markets. Since the NIPA's were first published,
BEA has developed and extended its estimates to cover
a wide range of economic activities. Today, BEA prepares
national, regional, industry, and international accounts
that present essential information on such key issues
as economic growth, regional economic development, interindustry
relationships, and the Nation's position in the world
economy.
LINKS
TO BUSINESS RESOURCES
(INFOUSA)
