Survey of Minority-owned Business Participationin Global Commerce

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Office of the Chief Information Officer
Washingtctn, D.C. 20230

May 5,2010

Mr. Alex Hunt
Chief, Information Policy Branch
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
Office of Management and Budget
Washington, DC 20503
Dear Mr. Hunt:
The Department of Commerce's Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) requests an
emergency review of a new information collection entitled, "Survey of Minority-owned Business
Participation in Global Commerce."
On March 1l , 2 0 10, President Obarna signed an Executive Order 13534, National Export
Initiative, which calls for 'doubling exports over the next 5 years by working to remove trade
barriers abroad, by helping firms - especially small businesses - overcome the hurdles to
entering new export markets, by assisting with financing, and in general by pursuing a
Government-wide approach to export advocacy abroad.'
In support of the President's initiative, MBDA proposes administering a survey to establish
benchmarks to measure minority business growth in export sales, identify barriers to
international trade, and provide recommendations on how to increase minority business
participation in global commerce. The results of the survey will be used to develop a research
study entitled, "Minority Business Contributions to the U.S. Economy through Global
Commerce." MBDA anticipates releasing the research study during the National Minority
Enterprise Development (MED) Week Conference, scheduled for August 25-27,2010.
MBDA is requesting approval by May 12,2010. We appreciate your assistance in this matter.
Sincerely,

Diana H. Hynek
Department of Commerce
Information Collections OfficerA3,
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