Export promotion [electronic resource] : Commerce needs better information to evaluate its fee-based programs and customers : report to the Chairman, Committee on Finance, U.S. Senate.
Title from cover screen (viewed on Apr. 15, 2009). "March 2009." Includes bibliographical references. "GAO-09-144."
Summary:
Federal and state trade promotion activities are intended to help U.S. firms compete successfully in foreign markets. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) -- firms with fewer than 500 employees -- represent a key segment of exporting firms. GAO was asked to determine (1) the relationship between the Department of Commerce's (Commerce) U.S. Commercial Service (CS) and states' trade offices' export promotion programs, (2) CS's methodology and practices for determining costs and establishing user fees for export promotion services, and (3) how CS's user fees affect SMEs' use of its programs. GAO conducted a survey of states' trade offices and reviewed data such as export promotion budgets and fees, program information, government standards, and user fee studies. GAO met with officials from Commerce, the State International Development Organizations, six states' trade offices, and others. GAO recommends that Commerce (1) improve CS procedures for determining costs and setting user fees for export promotion services and (2) collect and process more reliable information about its customers to better understand demand for CS services and how the user fees affect customers.
OCLC:
(OCoLC)318549940
Locations:
USUX851 -- Iowa State University - Parks Library (Ames)
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.