Department of Commerce :Office of Manufacturing and Services could better measure and communicate its contributions to trade policy : report to congressional requesters.

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Overview

Declining U.S. manufacturing hasbeen an issue of continuing concernfor policymakers; this was reflectedin the Obama Administration's(Administration) 2010 announcementof the National Export Initiative. TheAdministration has also showninterest in improving the efficiency ofthe federal support of tradeoperations. In 2004, the Office ofManufacturing and Services (MAS)was established within theDepartment of Commerce's(Commerce) International TradeAdministration (ITA) to enhance theglobal competitiveness of U.S.industry.GAO was asked to examine (1) MAS'sgoals and activities and how theycompare with those of othergovernment entities; (2) how MASprioritizes its activities and targets itsresources; and (3) the extent towhich MAS tracks and reports itsefforts. GAO reviewed agencydocuments and interviewed officialsfrom MAS, other parts of ITA andCommerce, and other agencies. GAO recommends that the Secretaryof Commerce take actions, in concertwith MAS, to finalize MAS's focusingof mission and priorities,systematically monitor workload, andmore systematically obtain andcommunicate information on thevalue MAS adds to the trade policyprocess. In its comments, Commerce