Today at the White House, Secretary Evans, USAID Administrator Natsios, USA Freedom Corps Director Bridgeland and Peace Corps Director Vasquez launched the Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI). The goal of the DFI is to promote economic growth by transferring the benefits of information and communication technology (ICT) to entrepreneurs and small businesses in the developing world. The DFI will be piloted in Senegal, a democratic secular country in which 94% of the population is Muslim.

“The Digital Freedom Initiative represents an exciting new model of how different parts of the federal government, the development community, the private sector and developing nations can join forces for progress,” said Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

The approach is bold and innovative, leveraging the leadership of the US government, the creativity and resources of America’s leading companies, and the vision and energy of entrepreneurs in developing countries. If the pilot project is successful, it could be rolled out to 20 countries in the next five years.

“The DFI reflects President Bush’s determination to encourage innovative foreign assistance policies that encourage wealth creation, economic and political freedom, the rule of law and human rights,”said Commerce Secretary Don Evans.

Key Elements include:

• Placing volunteers in small businesses to share business knowledge and technology expertise;

• Promoting pro-growth regulatory and legal structures to enhance business competitiveness; and

• Leveraging existing technology and communications infrastructure in new ways to help entrepreneurs and small businesses better compete in both the regional and global market place.

###