[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 148 (Tuesday, August 3, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 45606]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-19059]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

International Trade Administration


Department of Commerce Measuring and Enhancing Services Trade 
Data Conference

AGENCY: International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of kickoff event to improve services trade data.

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SUMMARY: The International Trade Administration, in conjunction with 
the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Census Bureau and the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, is announcing a kick-off event for its services trade 
data initiative. DOC is working to ensure that the measurement of 
economic activity and trade in the services sector is more robust, 
granular and meaningful. Primary goals include enhancements to services 
data to ensure that it is effective for commercial decision-making, 
policy planning, and is relevant for trade agreements in support of 
increased US services exports. DOC has invited well-known policy 
leaders from the White House, the Department, and private sector 
innovators in the services information arena to speak on the topic.

DATES: The conference will be held on September 14, 2010.
    Address all comments concerning this notice to the Office of 
Service Industries, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1401 Constitution 
Ave., NW., Room 1104, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Barb Rawdon, 202-482-0474 or 
[email protected]

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: There are significant weaknesses in data on 
services, even though services industries account for roughly 70 
percent of the U.S. gross domestic product. Without timely, accurate 
information on the services sector, businesses and policy makers lack 
the information necessary to understand a major share of the economy 
and to develop modern trade and investment policy. As a first step in 
our Service Industry Statistical Initiative, DOC will hold a conference 
on September 14, 2010, to focus on measuring and enhancing services 
trade data.
    The conference will include key players from the public and private 
sector with the main goal of seeking broader support and direction for 
improving the quality and timeliness of services trade data. A key 
outcome of the conference will be the development of an action plan and 
working groups to improve certain discrete elements of services data 
collection and dissemination by various public and private sector 
organizations.
    Current issues regarding services statistics include: limitations 
of the industry classification system, granularity of data, adequacy of 
survey detail in tracking of services, accounting for intangible 
assets, and accuracy of service price indices.
    The target audience for the conference includes senior managers 
from private sector companies and government, along with participants 
from the public policy community. The morning session will focus on the 
current and future status of services trade data along with innovative 
ideas for the future. The afternoon sessions will feature free-flowing 
industry-specific discussions designed to spark a dialogue on 
improvement ranging from readily available solutions to 
transformational technologies and analytics that enable better business 
and public policy decision-making.
    DOC will accept registrations on a first-come-first-served basis. 
Participants will be charged $75 for attending these events if they 
register before September 7, 2010, and $100 if they register on or 
after September 7, 2010. Those who are interested in attending this 
event should call 703-925-9455 ext. 0.

    Dated: July 29, 2010.
Barb Rawdon,
Director, Education, Healthcare and Professional Services.
[FR Doc. 2010-19059 Filed 8-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-DR-P