Direct Investment Surveys: BE-10, 2009 Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad

This final rule amends regulations of the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce, setting forth the reporting requirements for the 2009 BE-10, Benchmark Survey of U.S. Direct Investment Abroad. The benchmark survey covers the U.S. direct investment abroad universe, and is BEA's most comprehensive survey of such investment in terms of subject matter. Benchmark surveys are conducted every 5 years. The changes to the 2009 benchmark survey include: (a) Changes in survey form design and reporting criteria to simplify the survey forms and improve response rates; and (b) modifications, deletions and additions of specific items on the survey forms. Some of the items that will no longer be collected are those that are now collected on BEA's surveys of international services.