Justification for Change Request-ITA/EDA Trade Mission Questionnaire

Justification for Change Request

OMB Control No. 0625-0217

ITA/EDA Joint Trade Missions

OVERVIEW:  For the first time, community organizations will join U.S companies to explore opportunities to increase exports and attract foreign direct investment in the United States during a U.S. Department of Commerce-led trade mission. Commerce’s International Trade Administration (ITA) and Economic Development Administration (EDA) are jointly leading 25 U.S. community organizations and companies to Lyon, France, and Brussels, Belgium, Nov. 29-Dec. 4, for the Clean Tech Trade & Investment Mission. Future missions will be planned in a variety of industries in a number of countries again with the goal of increasing foreign direct invest (FDI) and National Export Initiative (NEI).  Since it is a new initiative, it is critical to measure customer service and satisfaction from both communities and companies in order to continually improve the business model.  

JUSTIFICATION: The mission supports both ITA and EDA job creation goals by increasing U.S. exports supporting the NEI and attracting FDI in the United States. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Economic Development Brian McGowan and James Koloditch, ITA’s Regional Director for Western Europe, will co-lead the mission that focuses on the clean technology and green energy sectors.

SIGNIFICANCE: This is a new initiative for the Economic Development Administration, Department of Commerce.  So it is critical that we measure the satisfaction of event participants to ensure their goals are met during the trade mission. For communities, this will mean building successful partnerships with companies abroad who might arrange site visits and then do business in that region, thus creating jobs. For companies, success will be defined by building relationships with new foreign export partners supporting the NEI.

BURDEN CALCULATION:  Estimated total number of respondents in one year on average for such events is about 250. It would take about 10 minutes to fill out this questionnaire. Thus, the total annual burden will be 42 hours (250 x 10 = 2,500 minutes/60).