Export-Import Bank: Status of End-Use Monitoring of Dual-Use Exports as of August 2017
Fast Facts
Every year, we report on the Export-Import Bank, which helps finance U.S. companies' exports. The Bank may not finance defense goods and services, but it can finance exports that have both civilian and military uses (dual use). The Bank monitors the use of these exports to ensure that they are used mostly for civilian purposes.
This year, the Bank determined that dual-use exports were in compliance with this policy. However, it made its determination about satellites sold to the Mexican government before receiving all required information. It was also late completing its determination about construction equipment sold to the Cameroon military.
Photo of Export-Import Bank headquarters
Highlights
What GAO Found
Ex-Im approved financing for three dual-use export transactions in fiscal year 2012: (1) a portion of a satellite for the French company Eutelsat, (2) fixed- and mobile-service satellites for the government of Mexico, and (3) construction equipment for the government of Cameroon. Ex-Im receives monitoring documents from end users of these exports; the documents provide information on the extent to which the exports are used for civilian or military purposes. In addition, for the Mexico and Cameroon transactions, the bank completes an annual determination of dual-use compliance. In this report, GAO reviewed the 2015 annual determinations together with the 2016 determinations, because GAO received information on those determinations over the course of this review. Ex-Im received the end-use monitoring documentation for 2016 as required by the credit agreements with Eutelsat and the governments of Mexico and Cameroon, and completed its 2015 and 2016 dual-use compliance determinations for Mexico and Cameroon. However, it did so sometimes before receiving required end-use documents, or after internal deadlines. Ex-Im did not finance any new exports under its dual-use authority in fiscal year 2016.
Why GAO Did This Study
The Export-Import Bank Reform and Reauthorization Act of 2015 extended Ex-Im's authority to finance dual-use exports until the date when the authority of the Export-Import Bank expires under 12 U.S.C. § 635f. Under this section, Ex-Im is currently authorized through September 30, 2019. GAO is required to report annually on the end uses of dual-use exports supported by Ex-Im during the second preceding fiscal year.
Recommendations
GAO is not making any recommendations in this report.