Loren Yager
Published: 2009-09
Total Pages: 69
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Fed. and state trade promotion activities are intended to help U.S. firms compete successfully in foreign markets. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) -- firms with fewer than 500 employees -- represent a key segment of exporting firms. This report determines: (1) the relationship between the U.S. Commercial Service (CS) and states' trade offices' export promotion programs; (2) CS's methodology and practices for determining costs and establishing user fees for export promotion services; and (3) how CS's user fees affect SMEs' use of its programs. The auditor conducted a survey of states' trade offices and reviewed data such as export promotion budgets and fees, program information, govt. standards, and user fee studies. Illus.