Competitiveness

The information and communication technology (ICT) industry is an important and robust industry. In fact, it is one of the most dynamic creators of jobs and income in the United States. Worldwide in 2003 IT accounted for approximately $2.4 Trillion or 6.8% of GDP according to Digital Planet 2004. Of that total, governments worldwide accounted for approximately $398 Billion of spending, or 16.6% of total ICT spending in the world. Perhaps more importantly, by 2007, government spending on ICT is expected to grow to $549.6 Billion. The trade conclusion that can be drawn from these statistics is that ICT is an industry important to the U.S., and frankly, to the rest of the world. A market in excess of $2 trillion is one where the U.S. wants to participate. The industry is one that is fast-changing and dynamic. The challenge is to keep it open, to insure that barriers are not erected in the future, and to develop a negotiating methodology that encompasses new ways of using technology into existing commitments.