You're partly correct, as I've read ADN comments, by Alaskans, disparaging the 8(a) program.  Most Americans don't realize that many Alaskan Native corporations and businesses are bringing in monies from over-seas, which helps off-set our trade balance.  8(a) allows us to partner with multi-national corporations, and where do you suppose that they get a large part of their investment monies?  Actually, most of our Native corporations, and some Native owned businesses have become multi-nationals themselves.  My company may soon become a multinational also.