Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced a Digital Attaché pilot program where U.S. Foreign Commercial Service Officers will focus on digital policy issues and Internet market access in several key markets around the world.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association praised this Commerce Department program, which can help grow the U.S. digital economy. The following can be attributed to CCIA President & CEO Ed Black:
“This is a major positive development. Kudos to Secretary Pritzker and her team at Commerce and the International Trade Administration for their foresight. The U.S. economy and the global economy are rapidly becoming more digital by the day, and the Internet is becoming increasingly integrated into the entire fabric of our economy. Manufacturing, finance, and services all depend on the Internet to handle logistics, advertise, conduct transactions, and sell their products around the world. To boost U.S. growth and job creation, U.S. companies need help ensuring that the global Internet remains open for business. This program helps upgrade our nation’s commercial diplomatic corps to match the needs of the modern, connected economy. We expect the program to succeed — and hopefully expand to other key markets around the world.
“Not only will this benefit businesses, particularly small-and-medium-size businesses that do not have the resources to navigate complex global Internet regulation, but it will benefit consumers around the world. Internet users increasingly depend on the growing variety of Internet platforms and services to communicate, shop, start businesses, and run their day-to-day lives. Ensuring that all companies, big and small, can offer their goods and services to consumers the world over is a positive step for both businesses and consumers.”