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U.S. Census Bureau assists in economic census

Two Census Bureau Officials are in the territory to finalize plans for the 2012 Economic Census. Branch Chief for the Economic Statistics Division, Lee R. Wentela and Assistant Division Chief, Company Statistics Division for Survey Programs, Charles A. Funk are working together with the Department of Commerce, Statistics Division for data collection.

While in the territory, Wentela and Funk will also meet with government officials, Chamber of Commerce President David Robinson, and other business organizations to promote the 2012 economic census that will be underway in October 2012.

Acting DOC Director Rex Thompson told Samoa News that he encourages the participation and cooperation of all businesses to improve the quality of the economic census.

This Census provides a comprehensive measure of economic activity by industry, island and village and is conducted every five years. The last survey was conducted in 2007.

Wentela said businesses in American Samoa will receive economic census forms by mail between October and December of this year, adding that “completed forms are due on February 12, 2013”. He added that Title 13 of the United States Code requires businesses to respond to this census.

This same law provides for the confidentiality of all responses and states that the data collected can be used for statistical purposes only. “We would like to thank all businesses in advance for their cooperation in completing the 2012 Economic Census” said Wentela.

“Results of this census will help business and policy makers assess the status of the American Samoa economy and identify opportunities for expansion” he added.

The Economic Census report contains aggregate and industry level tables on a number of establishments, including sales, payroll, number of employees, size of firm, capital expenditures as well as statistics on the legal form of organization, citizenship and gender of the owners.

Wentela said it also includes sales by type of business, class of customers, and villages.

Businesses both small and large use census statistics to develop business plans, identify business opportunities, define markets, assess competition, attract investment, manage sales, and evaluate efficiency. Industry professionals, economic analysts and business reporters also use census statistics to assess industry growth and change, prepare economic forecasts, define legislative priorities and produce educational materials.

Additionally the federal and local agencies use census statistics to design economic development and regulatory programs, evaluate program effects, conduct trade negotiations and prepare revenue and spending plans.

Wentela said the US Bureau of Economic analysis also uses the statistics to develop estimates of Gross Domestic Product. Final census results from American Samoa are expected to be released in March 2014. Results of the 2007 economic census for the territory are available online at  www.census.gove/econ/islandareas.

Wentela said that during the last census the business community was very cooperative pertaining to filling out the forms and he hopes this will continue with this year’s census.

For more information on the economic census, contact the Department of Commerce, Statistic Division at 633-5155.