Export-Import Bank Mulls Changes In Economic-Impact Procedures

ByJohn S. McClenahen U.S. manufacturers have until Aug. 17 to comment on four proposed changes in the economic-impact assessment procedures of the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. One change would involve using of a broader range of data in determining the economic-impact of a proposed transaction. For example, the bank might consider the broad competitive impacts of increased foreign production on U.S. manufacturers' domestic- and foreign-market shares. Ex-Im Bank also is proposing to make it easier for companies to deal with its economic-impact assessment process, to notify companies earlier of potential economic-impact issues, and to use outside experts to help resolve conflicting data in individual cases. Details of the proposals are posted at www.exim.gov.