Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports Formed to Revise U.S. Export Control Policies

Strategic Insights -

Computer industry leaders Lewis E. Platt and Lawrence A. Weinbach announced the establishment of the Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports (CCRE) to advocate for revised U.S. export control policies that keep pace with rapid advancements in computer technology. The coalition aims to educate policy-makers about the growing competition from foreign companies and the need to protect U.S. national security interests.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CCRE was formed by Lewis E. Platt, chairman, president and CEO of Hewlett-Packard Co., and Lawrence A. Weinbach, chairman and CEO of UNISYS Corp., to address the outdated U.S. export control policies.
  • The coalition's primary goal is to work with policy-makers to develop export control policies that reflect the rapid changes and advancements in computer technology.
  • CCRE officials announced a public education effort to help policy-makers understand the rapid changes in the computer industry, including the release of a new industry study and a primer on the U.S. computer industry.
  • The GartnerGroup study conducted for CCRE found that foreign competition is growing, and foreign manufacturers are producing computers that exceed the 2,000 MTOPS export control threshold.
  • The study estimated that by the end of 1999, the U.S. industry will be required to seek approval for the export of tens of thousands of business computers.
  • The CCRE members, including top U.S.-based computer companies, believe that a strong, competitive computer industry is critical to U.S. national and economic security.

Statistics:

  • By the end of 1999, the U.S. industry is expected to need approval for the export of tens of thousands of business computers.
  • Over 50 percent of the U.S. computer industry's revenues come from sales outside the United States.
  • By 2000, 72 percent of the world's computers will be outside the United States.
  • In 2000, single commodity chips are expected to perform over 2,000 MTOPS.
  • Over 170,000 multiprocessor computers will be sold to China in 1999, with over one-quarter coming from foreign manufacturers.

Sources:

  • U.S. Newswire, "Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports Formed to Revise U.S. Export Control Policies"
  • GartnerGroup study, conducted for the Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports
  • "Computers and Export Controls: Balancing America's Needs, Promoting America's Interests," primer released by the Computer Coalition for Responsible Exports
  • COMTEX (http://www.comtexnews.com)