Where Industry and Security Intersect
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For
Immediate Release: Nov 18, 2004 Contact - BIS Public Affairs 202-482-2721 |
Washington , D.C. - Over 120 senior representatives from U.S. and Indian businesses, along with officials from the U.S. and Indian government, met today to discuss expanding business opportunities in the defense technology and information technology areas.
The event - "Dialogue on Defense Technology, Data Privacy, and Export Licensing" - was hosted at the Commerce Department by the U.S. Government in conjunction with the U.S.-India Business Council and other industry groups.
"Today's dialogue generated many practical recommendations that will help the United States and India continue to develop a robust level of high-technology trade," said Under Secretary of Commerce for Industry and Security Kenneth I. Juster, who made introductory remarks during the event.
Participants in the defense technology roundtable explored U.S. and Indian government policies concerning defense cooperation and procurement, as well as issues confronting U.S. companies interested in the Indian market. During the data privacy roundtable, participants focused on various approaches to protecting data, an issue that is critical to the continued growth of information technology industries. During the roundtable discussions, industry participants developed concrete policy recommendations for the U.S. and Indian governments, which were presented to the government officials during the luncheon session.
The forum also included a session on explaining various aspects of the U.S. dual-use and munitions licensing processes and informing U.S. and Indian industry about their responsibilities under U.S. laws and regulations.
The dialogue included introductions from Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology Phillip J. Bond and Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran.
"Technology and innovation are vital to competitiveness, critical to sustaining economic growth, and creating increased opportunities for international collaboration. The U.S. - India relationship will benefit from today's dialogue, " said Under Secretary Bond.
The dialogue was the fourth public-private event held under the auspices of the U.S.-India High Technology Cooperation Group (HTCG). The HTCG was initiated in November 2002 as a result of a commitment between President Bush and the Prime Minister of India to stimulate high-technology commerce between the two countries. The HTCG, which is co-chaired by U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce Kenneth I. Juster and Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran, consists of senior representatives from each government and seeks to identify steps to create a favorable environment for high-technology trade and collaboration, while enhancing the security related to such trade. The November 18 dialogue was the public-private portion of the government-to-government HTCG meetings scheduled for November 19. The dialogue built on the three previous HTCG public-private forums, which were held in Washington , D.C. in July 2003, in Bangalore in November 2003, and in New Delhi in October 2004.