To
produce and disseminate accurate, timely, relevant, and cost-effective
economic accounts statistics that provide government, businesses,
households, and individuals with a comprehensive, up-to-date picture
of economic activity. BEA's national, regional, and international
economic accounts present basic information on such key issues as
U.S. economic growth, regional economic development, and the Nation's
position in the world economy. The principal statistics prepared
by BEA include gross domestic product (GDP), corporate profits,
personal income by State and region, U.S. balance of payments, international
trade, and GDP by industry.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Dissemination of Technical Information. Place Cursor Here for Definition
USES
AND USE RESTRICTIONS:
The
measures and analyses produced by BEA are used in the formulation
and execution of fiscal, financial, international, and other policies
related to the major economic goals of the Nation. Businesses plan
production, price, and investment programs with the aid of the information
provided by BEA. This information also is essential for economic
decision-making by State and local governments, labor, other economic
groups, and by individuals who need a better orientation in an increasingly
complex economic world. In addition, teaching and research programs
at universities and research organizations rely on the information
provided.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: Any business, public official,
civic organization, or private citizen may request information in
person, by letter, by telephone, or by e-mail.
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Any business, public official,
civic organization, or private citizen may request information
in person, by letter, by telephone, or by e-mail.
Many of BEA's principal accomplishments in fiscal year 2002 were
outlined in the following articles published in the Survey of Current
Business, BEA's monthly journal of record. In January 2002, "Reliability
of GDP and Related NIPA Estimates" presented results of a study
that determined BEA's quarterly estimates of real GDP are reliable
indicators of whether the economy is expanding or contracting; accelerating
or decelerating, and whether the economy is growing at rates above,
near, or below the long-term trend. In April, "Alternative Measures
of Personal Savings" looked at the two-decade downtrend in the NIPA
measure of the personal saving rate that has raised questions about
the adequacy of savings to fund capital accumulation or the retirement
of the baby boom generation, and determined concerns about retirement
preparedness should be viewed within the broader context of household
wealth. In May, "BEA's Strategic Plan for 2001-2005" reported on
the plan that outlines the major focus of the Bureau's work over
the next several years. In June 2001,"Gross Domestic Product by
Industry: A Progress Report on Accelerated Estimates" examined BEA's
development of a prototype methodology for preparing estimates of
GDP by industry on an accelerated schedule. The accelerated estimates
would be released in April 4, months after the end of the reference
year and 7 months ahead of the release of the regular annual estimates
in November. In October, the "Customer Service Report for Fiscal
Year 2002" outlined many steps taken in the fiscal year to improve
services to all of the Bureau's customers. In addition, BEA staff
regularly present papers at semi-annual meetings of the BEA Advisory
Committee. Full texts and abstracts are available on BEA's website
at www.bea.gov/bea/papers.htm.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
BEA's estimates are available on the BEA Website at www.bea.doc.gov,
in publications, and on diskettes and CD-ROMs. BEA's products are
described in the Catalog of Products, which is available from the
BEA Public Information Office and on the BEA Website. For more information
on the availability of BEA's products, call the BEA Order Desk at
1-800-704-0415; from outside the United States, call 202-606-9666.
The Survey of Current Business, BEA's monthly journal, presents
summary estimates and analyses of U.S. economic activity. The Survey
is available by subscription from the Superintendent of Documents,
U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO): List ID SCUB, price $49.00
per year (domestic second-class mail), $61.25 (foreign second-class
mail), or $95.00 (domestic first-class mail); single copy price
$25.00 (domestic) or $31.25 (foreign). Foreign airmail delivery
rates are available upon request from GPO. To order using Visa,
MasterCard, or a GPO deposit account, call 202-512-1800 or fax 202-512-2250.
To order by mail, send a check payable to "Superintendent of Documents"
to Superintendent of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA
15250-7954. To order on-line, go to the GPO Website at www.gpo.gov/su_docs/sale.html.
BEA's estimates also are available on-line by subscription through
STAT-USA Internet at www.stat-usa.gov. For more information, call
STAT-USA at 1-800-782-8872; from outside the United States, call
202-482-1986.
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: Not applicable.
Headquarters
Office: Public Information Office, Bureau
of Economic Analysis, Department of Commerce, 1441 L St., NW.,
BE-53, Washington, DC 20230. Telephone: 202-606-9900. TDD: 202-606-5335.
E-mail: webmaster@bea.gov. FTS is not available.
