U.S. Government Export Promotion Programs Could Be Improved

GAO discussed federal government export promotion programs, focusing on: (1) past weaknesses; and (2) efforts to coordinate the programs. GAO noted that: (1) export program weaknesses included lack of predictable and rational funding, inappropriate program focus, and inability to supply timely, product-specific information to clients; and (2) although national export conferences held by the Interagency Trade Promotion Coordinating Committee helped raise basic export awareness and acted as a forum for providing specialized assistance, it lacked permanence and authority to set program or budget priorities across the government.