Recent trends and the outlook for energy services, environmental services, and health care services are among the topics explored in the current issue of Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR), a quarterly publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's Office of Industries.
Industry Trade and Technology Review (ITTR) contains articles originating from research and analysis conducted by International Trade Commission (ITC) staff as part of its responsibilities to provide advice and technical information on industry and trade issues. The ITTR provides analysis of important issues and insights into the global position of U.S. industries, the technological competitiveness of the United States, and implications of trade and policy developments.
The ITTR is a publication of the Office of Industries. The opinions and conclusions it contains are those of the authors and are not the views of the Commission or of any individual Commissioner.
The current issue (June 1999) includes the following articles:
Energy Services: Recent Trends and Future Prospects -- The two major components of the energy services sector -- petroleum-related services and utility-related services -- have been undergoing dramatically different market trends in recent years. U.S. firms are well-positioned to compete internationally in both of these markets. This article discusses the extent of U.S. trade in energy services, evaluates the competitive position of U.S. firms in the global energy services sector, and assesses the future prospects for U.S. trade and investment in this sector.
Market Trends Affecting the U.S. Environmental Services Sector -- In recent years, slower growth in demand for environmental services in the largely compliant U.S. market has led to increased U.S. industry consolidation and a shift in emphasis to the international market among U.S. environmental service providers. This article assesses U.S. trade performance in the environmental services sector; the effect of U.S. and foreign environmental market structures, recent trends, and foreign trade barriers on the ability of U.S. firms to compete in this sector; and future prospects for the U.S. and global environmental services sectors.
Health Care Services: Strong Fundamentals and Innovations Foreshadow Growth in U.S. Exports and Foreign Direct Investment -- Substantial visitation by foreign individuals to the United States for medical treatment and rising foreign direct investment in U.S. health care institutions testify to the vitality of U.S. health care services, despite pressures of high costs. Recent official data reflect a slowdown in U.S. health care export growth and a sudden, steep decline in transactions by foreign health care affiliates of U.S. firms. This article examines the principal factors contributing to the slowdown as well as market factors that suggest a likely increase in U.S. exports and direct investment in health care services in the United States and abroad.
In addition, the publication includes an appendix charting key performance indicators for the steel, automobile, aluminum, flat glass, and services industries.
Industry Trade and Technology Review (USITC Publication 3206, June 1999) will be posted on the ITC's Internet server at www.usitc.gov. A cumulative list of articles published in the report series is also posted. The ITTR will also be available at regional federal depository libraries in the United States. To request a printed copy of the ITTR or to be added to the mailing list, contact the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202-205-2104.