The Telecommunications Industry Association has applauded President George Bush and the six presidents of the U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement countries for their open commitment to the trade accord at the White House.
The U.S.-Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic combined make up the United States' 12th largest trading partner. Specifically for U.S. exports of telecommunications equipment, the DR-CAFTA is the 14th largest export market of roughly half a billion U.S. dollars.
"The communications industry is truly global and views this agreement as important to the vitality of the industry," says TIA President Matthew Flanigan. "Trade agreements such as DR-CAFTA will help TIA members participate in a fiercely competitive world market."
The TIA supports passage of DR-CAFTA because it will immediately eliminate duties on most products, will hold signatories accountable for reducing and streamlining regulatory procedures, and will require each country to have a telecommunications regulatory body that is independent from any supplier of public telecommunications services. Also, upon implementation of the trade accord, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua will become signatories of the World Trade Organization Information Technology Agreement, which guarantees that countries will eliminate duties on information technology products.
The TIA is based in Arlington, VA. For more information visit www.tiaonline.org.