The White House said the order has been signed. It comes as the Obama administration has been trying to smooth frayed ties with business leaders, which were strained last year during the debates over health care and financial regulatory reform. Mr. Obama has already taken a series of steps to reach out to business leaders; his new chief of staff, Bill Daley, has a background as a banker and former secretary of commerce to President Bill Clinton. And the president is planning a speech to the Chamber of Commerce on February 7.