Vision - May/June 2008 - (Page 26)

newsline association news & views in the Ce spotlight CEAPAC Fights for Free Trade ith the industry driven by exports, consumer electronics is facing the fight of its life in Congress. International trade accounts for 14 percent of the industry’s output and 16 percent of its employment. But Congress is rapidly retreating from free trade and international engagement. In April, Congress tabled the U.S.Colombia Trade Promotion Act, which would have removed duties from American goods entering Colombia (Colombian products already come into the U.S. duty free). If this protectionist trend continues, CE leaders claim that America’s worldwide technological leadership will be jeopardized. In this environment, a strong CEAPAC is a powerful voice for the industry. CEAPAC— CEA’s Political Action Committee—protects the industry’s freedom to build and sell consumer electronics products, both here and abroad. Through CEAPAC, individual contributions support candidates who agree with CE views on trade, intellectual property, energy and other issues vital to the future of the industry. A majority of CEA’s members work for small- and medium-sized companies who do not have their own corporate PAC. CEAPAC protects and defends the interests of all CE companies, small and large. The Federal Election Campaign Act requires trade associations to obtain permission from corporate members before soliciting their executive and administrative employees for contributions to the association’s political action committee. Visit www.ceapac.org to find the authorization form and see a list of industry colleagues who have contributed to CEAPAC in 2008. Many CEA members companies are growing their businesses by exporting 95 percent of their “made in America” goods. Trade agreements, like those pending with Columbia, Panama and South Korea, provide U.S. companies with duty-free access W Global Opportunities for Your Business T he consumer technology industry generates more than $600 billion in worldwide sales. To further expand the global scope of the industry, CEA continues to work with international partners through technology events around the world. Unique Opportunities in Middle East Marketplace For the second year in a row, CEA will partner with Messe Frankfurt as sponsor of the International CES/hometech, the UAE’s largest trade event for consumer technology, scheduled May 25–27 in Dubai. With $47 billion invested in new housing construction, the Middle East region is experiencing tremendous growth and provides a unique opportunity for consumer technology companies looking to expand internationally. With 350 global exhibitors and 15,000 attendees, CES/hometech is an opportunity for CEA members to learn about the booming Middle East marketplace. Facts on Dubai and the UAE • Dubai has four local radio stations and four local television stations. • There are no street addresses in Dubai. • The typical work week in the UAE is Saturday–Thursday. International trade accounts for 14 percent of our industry’s output and 16 percent of our employment. to the world’s consumers. In the absence of such agreements, CE leaders claim that their products and services are encumbered by tariffs that make it too expensive to compete globally. CEA works on behalf of its member companies to help policymakers understand the vital importance of free trade to the industry, the American economy, and U.S. workers. • 26 May/June 2008 www.ce.org Crispin Rodwell/Alamy http://www.ceapac.org http://www.ce.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Vision - May/June 2008

Vision - May/June 2008 Contents Shapiro's Spectrum In This Issue The Economist C4 Trends Visionary Making the Smartphone Truly Intelligent Shipping Strategies for CE Companies IP in BRIC Countries CEA Newsline Tech Speak Eye on Business Tech Policy Market Insider Just the Stats

Vision - May/June 2008

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