**GAO-10-874**                      Published: Aug 31, 2010. Publicly Released: Aug 31, 2010.                  

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## Highlights

Since the recent recession, policymakers have emphasized the role exports can play in strengthening the U.S. economy and in creating higher paying jobs. In March 2010 the President signed an Executive Order creating the National Export Initiative (NEI), with a goal of doubling U.S. exports in 5 years. However, since 2004 the workforce of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service (CS) has shrunk, calling into question the ability of this key agency to increase its activities to assist U.S. businesses with their exports. In response to a conference committee mandate, GAO reviewed (1) how well CS managed its resources from 2004 to 2009, and (2) the completeness of CS's workforce plans and the quality of its fiscal year 2011 budget request. GAO analyzed data from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and State; reviewed agency documents; and interviewed agency officials.

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Human Capital

Agency missionsCost analysisEconomic stabilizationExport regulationExportingFinancial managementForeign trade policiesHiring policiesHuman capital managementHuman capital planningInternal controlsInternational tradeLabor forcePersonnel managementRisk assessmentStaff utilizationCost estimates