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More Groups Join Export Control Modernization Effort

May 07, 2007

Ten new organizations have joined the Coalition for Security and Competitiveness, a partnership of leading groups advocating a modernized export control system to boost U.S. national security and economic strength. Joining the coalition are the American Association of Exporters and Importers, American Electronics Association, Business Roundtable, National Defense Industrial Association, General Aviation Manufacturers Association, Government Electronics and Information Technology Association, Industrial Fasteners Institute, Satellite Industry Association, Space Foundation and the U.S. Chamber's Space Enterprise Council. They join eight other advocacy groups seeking to make the export control system more predictable, efficient, and transparent. The coalition formed last month and, as one of its first acts, sent a letter to President Bush asking that he take immediate steps to modernize the system through administrative -- non-legislative -- changes. The letter said the system should continue to protect America's most sensitive military technologies from adversaries and rivals, while maximizing the benefits of trade and technology cooperation with our allies and friends. The coalition presented the administration with 19 specific steps that can be taken to improve the export control system. Coalition officials said they have received acknowledgement of the proposals from administration representatives and have established an ongoing discussion with them. Original members of the coalition are the Aerospace Industries Association, Association for Manufacturing Technology, Coalition for Employment through Exports, Electronic Industries Alliance, Information Technology Industry Council, National Association of Manufacturers, National Foreign Trade Council and U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please visit the coalition's web site at www.securityandcompetitiveness.com