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Market Development Cooperator Program
PROJECT PROFILE: Software Internationl (SIIA, 1994 award)
Since opening in Beijing in 1994 as part of an MDCP project, the U.S. Information Technology Office (USITO) has engaged China officials on matters ranging from information security to intellectual property protection. image: USITO
Second Largest Market for Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
When USITO opened in late 1994, China was the 17th largest market for ICT worldwide. the consortium of trade associations that started USITO as an MDCP project could see that China would be a key driver of all things ICT. Having a presence in this growing market would be of critical importance. Twenty-four years later, China is the second largest ICT market worldwide.
MDCP Award/SIIA Match: $420,000/$1,170,874
Partners: TechAmerica, Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)
Markets Targeted: China
U.S. Industry Promoted: Electronic, Software, Telecommunications Equipment
Period: 1994-1998
Key ITA Collaborators:
- Robin Roark, ITA Team Lead, I&A
Project Description: Establish a U.S. Information Technology Office (USITO) in Beijing to support U.S. firms' business expansion efforts.
USITO was the third MDCP-supported presence or "foothold" to open since the program began in 1993. All three of these pioneer footholds were still operating 24 years later.
Associations Join Forces
MDCP awards can only go to one legal entity. For the USITO project the designated cooperator was the Software Publishers Association (SPA). In 1999, the SPA merged with the Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA). From the outset, the USITO project was designed as a joint effort with two other trade associations: American Electronics Association (now TechAmerica) and the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA).
Since the completion of the MDCP project in 1998, two other partners or "parent associations" have joined: the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI).
How It Works
USITO supports U.S. ICT firms in developing a beneficial regulatory and business environment in China. Individual firms join USITO and then participate in USITO-facilitated member working groups on important issues, including sustainable development, information security, innovation, standards, trade & investment.
USITO engages relevant China ministries and other government officials. It also prepares newsletters, policy briefs, updates, and dialogue sessions. Having informed U.S. firms means that engagement with regulators and other officials in China will be productive.
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Software and Information Industry Association (SIIA) represents the software and digital content industry. SIIA provides government relations, business development, coorporate education, and intellectual property protection to leading information technology firms. SIIA is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
USITO contact: Chris Millward- USITO Website
- How to Apply for MDCP Funding
- Contact Your Local Export Assistance Center
- Highlight: Ambassador Lends High Profile to Market Access Work
- Selected highlights of MDCP projects addressing trade barriers
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