The Electronic Industries Alliance (EIA) today hailed the completion of an agreement between the United States and Russia to expedite Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization. The accord provides for important economic reforms in Russia and gives U.S. exporters equal access to the Russian market when that nation becomes a member of the World Trade Organization.

Trade between Russia and the U.S. totaled approximately $19 billion in 2005. But while U.S. firms exported almost $4 billion in products and services to Russia, weak intellectual property protection is a significant deterrent to additional exports. The U.S.-Russia agreement contains important provisions to address this problem.

"We believe that this is a step forward to ensure that the intellectual property of America's leading inventors and industries are protected," said EIA President and CEO Dave McCurdy. "I'm particularly pleased with provisions to fight optical disk and internet piracy."

Russia has been negotiating its terms of accession to the General Agreement on Tariff and Trade (GATT), and subsequently the WTO, since 1994. To complete its accession, Russia must finalize all its bilateral market access agreements and then complete multilateral negotiations. Congressional action is necessary to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia.

McCurdy concluded: "The member companies of the EIA look forward to the enactment of these important reforms by the Russian government, and to the expanded trade it will enable. I want to thank Ambassador Schwab for her hard work and persistence in securing a good agreement for American business."

Contact Name: Rob Volmer
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