EIA: Electronic Industries Alliance
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 30, 2005
EIA Commends Senate Passage of CAFTA

Washington, DC, June 30, 2005 - Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) President Dave McCurdy issued the following statement in reaction to the U.S. Senate's passage of the Central American-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) this evening:

"With its passage of CAFTA, the Senate has voted to bolster economic development and expand the benefits of free trade for the U.S. and the nations of Central America. CAFTA will help the high-tech industry's domestic competitiveness by opening significant markets to U.S. exports, while promoting stability and economic growth in the Western Hemisphere. Last year, U.S. firms exported $15.7 billion worth of goods to the six CAFTA countries, and trade in electronics and high-tech products accounts for several billion dollars in exports alone. CAFTA's gains will also be realized quickly, since 99 percent of all U.S. industrial exports will receive duty-free treatment immediately upon implementation of the agreement. Additionally, CAFTA allows U.S. manufacturers to recover the cost of duties paid on materials imported from third countries and subsequently exported again. We commend the Senate's vote and the Bush Administration's work on this important trade measure. The Electronic Industries Alliance and its 1,300 high-tech, telecom, government I.T., and consumer electronics member companies now call on the House of Representatives to pass this legislation promptly."

About EIA: The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) is the leading advocate in Washington, D.C., for the U.S. high-tech industry. The Alliance, which traces its origins to the Radio Manufacturers Association (chartered in 1924), is a partnership of electronic and high-tech associations and companies whose mission is to promote the market development and competitiveness of the $400 billion U.S. high-tech and electronics industries through domestic and international policy efforts. EIA's corporate members - nearly 1,300 - provide products and services ranging from microscopic electronic components to state-of-the-art defense, space and industry high-tech systems, as well as the full range of telecommunications and consumer electronics products. Headquartered in Arlington, Va., the Alliance is made up of the Electronic Components, Assemblies & Materials Association (ECA); the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA); JEDEC; the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA); and leading consumer electronics companies who participate in EIA's Environmental Issues Council. EIA is also heavily involved in cyber security issues through the Internet Security Alliance (ISAlliance), and education issues, through the National Science & Technology Education Partnership (NSTEP).

Contact Name: Neil Gaffney
Contact Email: ngaffney@eia.org
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