About ITAA's International Program

The leading economies around the world spend over $2 trillion on information and communications technology products and services. A larger global market means a larger, more rational target of opportunity for U.S. firms. While it also means more competition, the international IT marketplace brings many good things to the American people, including lower prices for goods and services, greater consumer options and choices, more new ideas and innovations and more new business growth and employment opportunities. But just as the global market represents new opportunities for growing the U.S. economy, it also poses new challenges for running a truly competitive race.

The ITAA International Program helps solve both sides of the equation: working to assure a level playing field for U.S. IT products and services in markets around the world while educating U.S. lawmakers, thought-leaders and consumers about the risks posed by raising domestic barriers to foreign competition. The ITAA International Program maintains a truly global outlook, with initiatives and activities that reach out to IT trade groups in both the developed and developing world.

The ITAA International Program melds public policy and business development activities for a high value return to member companies. A Global Public Policy Committee addresses issues as they play out on the global stage—issues such as Internet governance, privacy, tax, trade and more. China trade policies is a particular concern. The International Program focuses on other matters by outreach to government bodies, multilateral organizations, non-governmental organizations, trade organizations and other groups.

The International Program, through its relationship with the World Information Technology and Services Alliance, is a prolific publisher of white papers and position statements on key technology issues. Digital Planet, the Global Information Economy provides a ready reference on ICT spending by countries around the world.

On the business development front, the International Program provides companies with an array of networking opportunities, from the World Congress on Information Technology to receptions and embassy briefings.

Recent accomplishments of the International Program include:

• Developed a Trans-Atlantic ICT Issues Forum and was instrumental in insuring the inclusion of ICT issues in US/EU Summit
• Published first major econometric study on the impact of IT services offshore outsourcing on US economy;
• Opposed attempts to expand role of international governments in Internet governance;
• Created venue to host former Soviet Union President Mikhail Gorbachev and create ICT trade mission to Russia;
• Focused national and industry attention on China ICT trade policies;
• Signed formal memo of understanding on information security between US and India ICT industries and created US India conferences focused on advancing issue;
• Testified before Congress on US/EU relations affecting ICT policy
• Promoted efforts to develop ICT industry in developing world economies