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. |
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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