The bulletin below from the US International Trade Administration outlines some of the agency’s technology transfer activities around the world. These activities could be an opportunity for IT and technology firms interested in getting a foothold in these markets.
Technology Resource Guide on Central America and the Caribbean
- Press Release: https://ustda.gov/ustda-releases-ict-resource-guide-for-central-america-and-the-caribbean/
Resource Guide: https://ustda.gov/wp-content/uploads/LAC-ICT-Resource-Guide-Central-America-Caribbean-Final-Report.pdf
Contact: Maria.Rivera@trade.gov
Digital Transformation Business Development Mission to the GCC -January 23-27
- The Gulf Mission has moved to January 23 – 27, 2022 and now includes Saudi, Kuwait and Qatar. The optional stop to UAE had to be dropped. https://www.trade.gov/gulf-digital-mission
Contact: Ludwika.Alvarez@trade.gov
Secretary Blinken Outlines the State Department’s Six Technology Policy Pillars at the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence’s (NSCAI) Global Emerging Technology Summit
1) reduce the risk to the American people from cyber activities and the malicious use of new technologies;
2) ensure U.S. technology leadership in the strategic technology competition;
3) defend an open, secure, reliable, and interoperable Internet;
4) set standards and norms for emerging technologies;
5) make technology work for democracy; and
6) promote cooperation among like-minded countries.
Contact: Jimmy.Church@trade.gov
Trade Lead
- Serbia: A technical cooperation and grant financing opportunity in Serbia. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has listed a EUR 100 million sovereign loan facility to finance the construction of mid-mile and last mile fiber broadband infrastructure connecting up to 1,600 rural schools/ public institutions in Serbia to the existing fiber backbone network. Company Contact Information: Milan Dobrijevic, milan.dobrijevic@mtt.gov.rs, + 381 11 2020 072, 7 Pariska St. 11000 Belgrade, Serbia, https://www.ebrd.com/work-with-us/projects/psd/52793.html
Contact: Evan.Schlosser@trade.gov
CFIUS Releases Annual Report to Congress for CY2020
- Continued decline in the number of notices filed by Chinese investors. The number of notices filed by Chinese investors continued to decrease in 2020 as in recent years, likely reflecting a decrease in Chinese investment in the United States overall. Only 17 notices were submitted by Chinese investors in 2020, a decline from the 25 notices submitted in 2019. Investors from Japan, Canada, and France submitted the second, third, and fourth most notices respectively over the 2018-2020 period. In 2020, investors from Japan submitted highest number of notice (19), followed by China (17) and the UK (14). As expected, given the high level of scrutiny applied to Chinese investment in the United States and the recent trends in China outbound investment, the number of filings made by Chinese investors continued to decline. However, the Annual Report’s data also demonstrates that Chinese investments in US businesses continue to be approved by CFIUS. Full overview and report here.
China Passes New Data Privacy and Security Laws
- On June 10, 2021, The National People’s Congress Standing Committee of the People’s Republic of China passed the Data Security Law (DSL). The key focus of the DSL is the protection and security of critical data relating to national security and the public interest. The most significant element of the law is the so-called data classification system whereby the government will classify different types of data based on its level of importance and then publish a protection/security standard for each class of data. DSL also sets out certain general security obligations for data processors at large. Given the law is broad in nature, the immediate impact for companies may be limited. We expect to see implementing guidelines and standards to follow. The DSL will take effect from September 1, 2021. More here.
Anyone interested in following up with the ITA contacts above should copy Ms. Hilary Sadler. Here is her contact information:
cell 202.384.6226; desk 202.482.4340; Room 11022
Advansa International can provide assistance when needed to work with ITA. Contact, Darnley Howard, President at advansa@yahoo.com
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