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Caribbean Basin Initiative: Need for More Reliable Data on Business Activity Resulting From the Initiative

NSIAD-86-201BR Published: Aug 29, 1986. Publicly Released: Sep 15, 1986.
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Highlights

In response to a congressional request, GAO surveyed 285 new businesses in the Caribbean Basin region regarding their operations in Central America and the Caribbean, specifically: (1) how the Department of Commerce developed its list of businesses; (2) the data Commerce obtained on the businesses; and (3) the results of GAO conversations with some of the businesses.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Department of Commerce The Secretary of Commerce should ensure that the planned 1986 survey of CBI-related business activity develops reliable data. At a minimum, the data should be: (1) screened to avoid double-counting of firms and to exclude firms that have no relationship to CBI; (2) verified to ensure completeness and accuracy; and (3) analyzed to determine each business' operational status and relationship to CBI.
Closed – Implemented
Commerce accepted this recommendation and plans to implement it in a study of CBI-related investments, which began in early 1987. In coordination with the Agency for International Development, Commerce developed a methodology for the study, which has been approved by the Office of Management and Budget. The study was published and sent to Congress on November 28, 1988.

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Topics

Business assistanceData integrityForeign economic assistanceForeign technical aidForeign trade agreementsInternational tradeInvestments abroadTechnical assistanceTariffsPrivate sector