Export Promotion
Governmentwide Strategy Needed for Federal Programs Gao ID: T-GGD-93-7 March 15, 1993Although the United States spends considerable sums on export promotion programs, this money is not allocated on the basis of any governmentwide strategy or set of priorities. Consequently, taxpayers have little assurance that funds are being targeted to industry sectors or programs with the highest potential return. This testimony focuses on (1) the need for a governmentwide export promotion strategy and the lack of coherent funding for federal export promotion programs, (2) the fragmented delivery of export promotion services, (3) the importance of the Export Enhancement Act of 1992, (4) the difficulties that smaller businesses have faced in accessing export promotion programs, (5) how U.S. export promotion programs compare to those of other countries, and (6) the adequacy of current funding for export promotion.