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The U.S. Export-Import Bank: The Bank Provides Direct and Indirect Assistance to Small Businesses

GGD-92-105 Published: Aug 21, 1992. Publicly Released: Aug 21, 1992.
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Highlights

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the U.S. Export-Import Bank's (Eximbank) compliance with the small business set-aside provision of the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945, focusing on: (1) the quality of Eximbank small business data; (2) the amount of export financing Eximbank made available directly to small businesses; (3) whether Eximbank properly included indirect financing to subcontractors in its small business set-aside calculation; and (4) recent developments in Eximbank efforts to assist small businesses.

Recommendations

Matter for Congressional Consideration

Matter Status Comments
If Congress intends that only direct assistance to small businesses be included in calculating Eximbank compliance with the set-aside requirement, it may wish to consider amending the Export-Import Bank Act to provide Eximbank with more specific guidance on this matter.
Closed – Implemented
This recommendation was acted upon by Congress, and the President, on October 21, 1992, signed implementing legislation.

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Export-Import Bank of the United States The Chairman, Eximbank, should review the accuracy and reliability of its small business data, including the collection and verification of data and the estimates used.
Closed – Implemented
Eximbank's Small Business Group has reviewed its small business data and is revising its methods for estimating the amount of insurance it provides to small businesses.
Export-Import Bank of the United States The Chairman, Eximbank, should report separately on direct and indirect assistance to small businesses in its annual reports, unless or until the legislation is made more explicit.
Closed – Not Implemented
Eximbank is preparing separate statistics on direct and indirect assistance for its 1992 annual report, due out by summer 1993. The recommendation is no longer applicable because the Export Enhancement Act of 1992 explicitly directs Eximbank to provide assistance directly to small businesses.

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Topics

Data collectionExportingFinancial recordsInternational tradeReporting requirementsSmall business assistanceSmall business set-asidesSubcontractorsSmall businessInternational financial institutions