Technology CEO Council Calls on Congress to Act on National Export Initiative and Competitiveness Package

Technology Leadership Group Focuses on Innovation Agenda Critical to Economic Recovery, U.S. Competitiveness in Global Marketplace

WASHINGTON, Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CEOs from the nation's leading technology companies today called on Congress to act on the Obama Administration's National Export Initiative to double U.S. exports in five years.

In a speech on Thursday outlining the National Export Initiative, Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said, "Increasing the export of American products and services to global markets can help revive the fortunes of U.S. companies, spur future economic growth and support jobs here at home."

The Technology CEO Council, a CEO policy advocacy group focused on ensuring U.S. competitiveness through technology leadership, applauded the Administration's National Export Initiative, adding that a critical factor in reaching the goal of doubling exports are policies that ensure that the United States remains the destination for investment, innovation and new job creation.

"Access to world markets is key to the economic growth of American high-technology companies. Current economic projections indicate that by 2013 over 72 percent of spending on information and communications technologies will be outside the United States," said Bruce Mehlman, Executive Director of TCC. "The Administration is to be applauded for its commitment to rigorous export promotion programs, removing our own outdated controls on high-tech exports and implementing favorable trade deals as aggressively as other countries."

The United States cannot achieve its export goals, however, unless it creates a business climate that is competitive globally.  In addition to the trade promotion initiatives outlined by President Obama, TCC believes the Administration and Congress should support tax policies that improve the international competitiveness of American companies and workers.

"To double our exports, U.S. companies need worldwide operations and supply chains that span the globe," added Mehlman. "Tax policies that increase the burden on U.S. companies' global operations make American workers less competitive and undermine export-led economic recovery.  By contrast, efforts to improve our tax competitiveness – such as passage of an R&D tax credit that increases the Alternative Simplified Credit to 20% – will create jobs here at home and more than pay for themselves over time."

The Technology CEO Council has laid out an innovation agenda to ensure that the United States remains the destination of choice for investment, talent and business growth. According to the Technology CEO Council that agenda should include:

• Tax policies that enable American innovators to compete and win in the global markets, ensuring U.S. jobs and growth.
• Trade policies that give U.S. workers and entrepreneurs greater opportunities to access worldwide customers.
• Export control policies that place U.S. companies on an even playing field with overseas competitors while protecting national security.
• Education efforts and research initiatives that prepare U.S. citizens for 21st Century jobs and create new industries.
• Immigration to ensure that the best and brightest that come to America are educated and create businesses that add to the U.S. economy.

"The trade speech by Secretary Locke highlights efforts that will complement research and education investments promised in the FY2011 budget, all designed to help Americans compete and win in the global economy," added Mehlman.  "We look forward to working with the Administration and Congress to turn these market opening proposals into reality."

About the Technology CEO Council

The Technology CEO Council is a CEO policy advocacy group focused on ensuring U.S. competitiveness through technology leadership. The CEOs visit Washington together to meet with lawmakers on the most critical policy issues impacting the nation's high-tech leadership and global competitiveness, working throughout the year to promote education, analysis and recommendations. For more information, please visit http://www.techceocouncil.org.

Technology CEO Council companies generate over $250 billion in annual revenues and employ over 750,000 workers. Founded in 1989 and formerly known as the Computer Systems Policy Project, its members include its chairman, Samuel J. Palmisano, Chairman, President and CEO, IBM Corporation; Steve Appleton, CEO of Micron Technologies; Greg Brown, CEO of Motorola; Michael Dell, Chairman and CEO of Dell; Paul S. Otellini, President and CEO of Intel Corporation; Mike Splinter, CEO of Applied Materials; and, Joe Tucci, EMC Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

SOURCE Technology CEO Council