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Re-Energizing United States-Africa Relations
 As
President George W. Bush settles down for the last four years
of his active political career, the relationship between the
United States and Africa is likely to undergo rigorous review
and possibly, re-adjustments. If Bush pursues his stated
intention of spreading freedom and genuine democracy around
the world, then the relationship between the United States and
various developing regions, including Africa will come into
sharp focus.
Current
Drivers of United States-Africa Relations
It is
not surprising that the United States and African nations have
differing priorities regarding key elements of the
relationship. As noted by Jonnie Carson, former ambassador to
Kenya, United States policy towards Africa remains influenced
by its preoccupation with Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea and
the war on terrorism. Policy makers in the United States
recognize the growing importance of Africa as a steady source
of oil and other extractive minerals. They also recognize the
crucial role of Africa as a bulwark against the spread of
terrorism. A recent comprehensive article on Africa’s “new
strategic significance” by the director of an African-based
think tank outlined the critical role of Africa in emerging
global realignments in politics, trade and international
cooperation. The unfolding HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa is a
major source of concern for policy makers in both the United
States and Africa. The Bush administration supported the
establishment of the Global Fund against AIDS, TB and Malaria
to lead a coordinated global assault against diseases
worldwide, especially in Africa. The United States government
went further to establish the President’s Emergency HIV/AIDS
initiative to stop AIDS in 15 countries, 12 of them in Africa.
For Africans, debt
relief, increased trade with the United States, a sharp
increase in development assistance and access to lifesaving
HIV/AIDS therapies are critical priorities. Africans need
United States assistance to end conflicts in the continent.
They also need United States cooperation and collaboration in
the drive to increase direct foreign investments, especially
in non-extractive sectors such as agriculture and animal
husbandry. Africa would also want the United States to use its
influence in the G-8 annual meetings to mobilize other rich
nations to increase their public and private sector
commitments to the continent’s flagship economic platform
known as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD).
The key question is
whether these differing priorities and strategic interests
will drive a wedge in United States-Africa relations between
2005 and 2009. The appointment of Condoleezza Rice as the new
secretary of state suggests that Bush may spend some political
capital on his twin themes of freedom and democracy, and may
push for accelerated democratic reforms in African nations
without functioning democracies. This could put United States
relations with key African allies without functional
democracies such as Egypt, Algeria and Ethiopia in a potential
collision course. For African leaders, slow progress in
mobilizing international support for NEPAD and ending
agricultural subsidies may strain United States-Africa
relations. It is crucial for a re-energized United
States-Africa relationship to have a durable foundation that
could stand the test of time.
Re-Energized United States-Africa Relations
The
foundation of a renewed United States-Africa relationship
should be that of trust, a clear understanding of mutual
benefits, and, frankness in resolving outstanding issues and
flashpoints. It is critical for the relationship to revolve
around a clear delineation of roles and responsibilities for
each partner. The secretary of state will likely reach out to
her foreign minister colleagues in Africa. African heads of
government and heads of regional institutions are likely to
reach out to the president, members of Congress and other
policy makers. It is almost a given that United States
officials will not shy away from taking a strong, principled
stand against nepotism, bad governance and state sponsored
brutality and atrocities committed against dissident citizens
in Africa. African leaders, especially those who would not
seek political office again — such as the presidents of
Nigeria and South Africa — are likely to be more assertive in
their dealings with Bush and other high ranking officials,
especially on the tripod issues of debt relief, trade
liberalization and development assistance. A re-energized
United States-Africa relationship will likely depend on how
both parties resolve inevitable flashpoints in the
partnership. What are these inevitable flashpoints?
Potential
Flashpoints in United States-Africa Relations
1.
United States and African leaders may differ on the best
response to the HIV/AIDS emergency in Africa.
Africa looks toward the United States for financial and
technical assistance in the war against HIV/AIDS. America
seeks demonstrable evidence of good governance and prudent
management of scarce national and international resources by
African nations. Meanwhile, millions of Africans contract HIV
or die of AIDS every year. Any delay in addressing the
destructive effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Africa will
have severe repercussions on the continent’s capacity to be a
productive partner. In hardest hit countries in Africa, AIDS
accounts for the loss of more than one percent of G.D.P. per
year. The United Nations agency coordinating the global fight
against aids (Unaids) estimates that at least nine African
countries have life expectancy rates that are now less than 40
years, principally due to AIDS. It is critical for African
governments to end all governance practices that engender
distrust among international donors and development partners.
Additionally, the United States must be seen as a long-term
partner in Africa’s future titanic struggle against HIV/AIDS.
United States financial, technical and logistics support for
HIV/AIDS remedial efforts in Africa should never be in doubt
and should be in a scale that would make a difference.
2. Disagreements may
arise over the concept and application of democracy.
As a country built on verifiable democratic traditions, and
according to Bush’s second term inaugural address, the United
States may take a hard stance on dictators and their domestic
supporters. African governments will likely be under pressure
to implement genuine democracy where every citizen has an
inalienable right to participate in nation building and in the
political process without discrimination or intimidation. No
democracy is perfect, including the United States. However,
the principle and tradition of democracy is essential to due
process, the right to public assembly, the right to economic
pursuit within the boundaries of the law, the right to social
protection for the sick and disabled, and the right to hold
opinion that may run counter to the government in power. Key
African states to watch regarding the United States’
commitment to democracy will be Algeria, Libya, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
3. Promotion of
transparency and governance reforms in oil producing states of
Africa may cause tension in United States-Africa relations.
Civil society organizations of oil producing states in Africa
are likely to ratchet up their agitation for transparency and
governance reforms. Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo is
waging an uphill battle against official corruption and
malfeasance in Nigeria. The geographical area in Nigeria that
produces oil known as the Niger Delta region is yet to benefit
economically after more than 45 years of oil extraction
activities in their communities. Angola, Gabon, Equatorial
Guinea, Algeria and Libya are important oil producing states
with very limited or non-existent population-based
democracies. The unfortunate situation in the Democratic
Republic of Congo with its abundant supply of extractive
minerals and multiple soldiers of fortune is also a major
source of concern. Endemic poverty in oil producing African
states can destabilize United States-Africa relations as
frustrated citizens increasingly see armed struggle as viable
options. A renewed United States-Africa relation should pay
close attention to the plight of the citizens of oil producing
states in Africa.
4. Unacceptable levels of poverty and
stagnant economies in Africa will be a formidable challenge.
More than 40 percent of Africans survive on less than one
dollar a day, according to the World Bank. A revitalized
United States-Africa relationship can do a lot to assist
Africans living in poverty. Policy makers on both sides should
work to:
- Reduce poverty in Africa by creating
incentives for African farmers to sell their products in the
West. Reducing or removing agricultural tariffs in the
United States can allow Africa’s farmers to export enough
products to reverse growing poverty levels in the continent.
It is encouraging to note the reported increase in the value
of imports from Africa under the United States Congress
mandated African Growth and Opportunity Act, with a value of
$14 billion in 2003, a rise of more than 55 percent from
previous year. A major focus of a renewed United
States-Africa relationship is the need to create incentives
for Africa to trade its way out of poverty. Experts suggest
that raising Africa’ share of global trade from the present
2 percent to 3 percent will generate an additional $70
billion a year for Africa, a sum five times the current debt
relief and development aid to the continent.
- Reduce or eliminate the crushing external
debt burden of African countries. The Economic Commission
for Africa, a United Nations agency based in Addis Ababa
estimates that every 80 cents on each dollar that comes into
Africa in form of foreign direct investment and development
assistance flows right back out of the continent every year,
mostly to service existing external debt obligations. A
recent review of the World Bank and I.M.F.’s Heavily
Indebted Poor Countries initiative (HIPC) by the United
Nations Agency responsible for trade and development (UNCTAD)
concluded that the 23 African countries that reached
“decision points” on debt relief by the end of 2003 will
only have a 40 percent chance of attaining “sustainable”
debt levels by 2020. The bottom line is that without
comprehensive debt relief, many African nations are unlikely
to become positive contributors to the global economy.
- Accelerate macroeconomic reforms in
Africa with emphasis on stable regulatory environment, rule
of law, enforcement of contracts, support for small and
medium private enterprises, and transparent, equitable
privatization programs that create value for the new owners,
the government and citizens.
- Create safety nets for the poor and
disabled in Africa. Families that live in endemic poverty
have very little in the way of a safety net in Africa. Weak
and disabled individuals also receive very little support
from the government, including social and legal protection.
Savings from accelerated debt relief for Africa should be
utilized to meet the social welfare needs of the poor in
Africa and create a thriving entrepreneurial middle class.
5. A revamped United States-Africa
relationship is dependent on improved technical and logistical
capacity of African states and institutions to implement sound
policies and programs. As African
leaders seek to improve socioeconomic conditions in the
continent, a looming obstacle is in the way: lack of technical
and logistic capacity. A recent World Bank report titled
“Building State Capacity in Africa: New Approaches, Emerging
Lessons” identified massive needs in the continent in the
areas of visionary leadership, accountability, capacity
building and decentralization. A renewed United States-Africa
relationship should focus on specific steps and mechanisms for
assisting African institutions and nations to improve their
technical and logistic capacities to solve continental
problems. A major strategy in this regard could be the
development of incentives for African-Americans and African
immigrant professionals living in the United States to
participate in capacity building projects in Africa.
6. Conflicts in Africa can implode gains
made in United States-Africa partnerships.
Africa remains challenged by lingering conflicts in the great
lakes region, Sudan, Eritrea/Ethiopia, and Northern Uganda to
mention a few places. Lack of aggressive action by the
international community and the African Union to end the
tragedy in Darfur, western Sudan should be an impetus for
close policy and program attention on best ways to support
Africa’s peace keeping capacity. In particular, a revamped
United States-Africa cooperation on peace and security should
emphasize proactive mechanisms for nipping budding conflicts.
This may require greater political flexibility by African
governments in dealing with political opponents, implementing
economic development incentives in lieu of armed conflicts and
the legal prosecution of notorious warlords and their high
ranking supporters.
7. United States strategic global
interests may change. The Sept. 11,
2001 World Trade Center and Pentagon terrorist attack
fundamentally changed the strategic global interest of the
United States. A proactive war against terror organizations
and their supporters is now critical in United States
geopolitical thinking. A major source of concern in future
United States-Africa relations is whether the United States
may change course. We believe that it is in the best interest
of both sides to remain steadfast.
Conclusion
United States-Africa relations for all
practical purposes need a jolt in the arm. After more than 40
years of United States relations with sovereign African
nations, the continent’s development prospect remains
troubling. Various development indicators on Africa by the
World Bank, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), and
the January 2005 report by the United Nations Millennium
Development Goals Project of the United Nations paint a
picture of a continent beset with complex social and economic
problems. A re-energized United States-Africa partnership
should have a long-term focus on issues that improve the lives
of ordinary citizens on both sides of the Atlantic. A genuine
partnership between the United States and Africa should
ultimately evolve into a collaboration of common interests and
aspirations.
By
George Haley, Chinua Akukwe and Sidi Jammeh
Source: Worldpress.org
Asia, Africa build new
strategic partnership
 (...)
Leaders and officials from Asian and African countries have
decided to build a new strategic partnership between the two
continents, saying it is not directed against anyone.
The new partnership was designed to help improve the life of
Asians and Africans, they said at the Asian-African Summit
which concluded here Saturday.
Leaders have signed on a declaration on the New Asia-African
Strategic Partnership, which will be officially endorsed as
they visit Bandung, the venue of the first Asian-African
summit in 1955, on Sunday.
The partnership between Asia and Africa, which have a total
population of 4.7 billion, will feature economic and socio-
cultural relations apart from political solidarity, which was
the focus of the Bandung conference.
Summit Co-chairman and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono expressed confidence with the partnership, saying
"we will create in the years ahead a legacy of socioeconomic
and cultural development to future generations of Asians and
Africans".
A business summit and an Asian-African trade fair held on the
sidelines of the meeting put weight on the economic dimension
of the gathering.
Susilo hailed the declaration of the partnership as "a
milestone in history," saying such a relationship will serve
as a bridge between Asia and Africa for the betterment of
their peoples ' interests in meeting various challenges in
today's world.
Delegates from African and Asian developing countries have
complained of problems like poverty, globalization and
underdevelopment, calling for joint efforts to address them.
Answering questions at a press conference at the end of the
two- day meeting, both Susilo and another co-chairman Thabo
Mbeki, president of South Africa, stressed that the
partnership is not against anyone.
Asked if the multilateralism advocated by the leaders is
targeted against unilateralism by certain countries, Susilo
said " the spirit of the summit is not to confront, but to
connect," adding that the partnership will serve to facilitate
exchanges and cooperation within the two continents and with
other parts of the world for the benefit of Asians and
Africans.
Mbeki pointed out that "the partnership is not directed
against anyone".
He said the conference was a success as reflected by the
massive attendance and the high level of representation in the
gathering.
Leaders and representatives from 89 Asian and African
countries out of 106 countries on the two continents have
participated in the summit plus chiefs of world and regional
organizations, including UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
The number of Asian and African countries attending the summit
is compared with the 29 countries in the previous one held in
Bandung, a town about 180 kilometers southeast of Jakarta.
The presence of about 50 leaders at the conference bespoke the
high level of political attention attached to the meeting,
Mbeki said.
Mbeki said another achievement of the summit is that the
leaders have decided on the follow-up of the Asian-African
conference.
They agreed that such a summit will be held every four years
together with a business summit, and a foreign ministerial
conference every two years to discuss cooperation between the
two continents.
The summit, with a theme to reinvigorate the Bandung Spirit,
has blamed a lack of mechanism for a failed follow-up of the
historic meeting.
The Bandung Spirit, with the core principles of solidarity,
friendship and cooperation, guided the fight by newly
independent countries against colonialism and hegemony in the
world at the time and led to the birth of Non-Alignment
Movement.
Egypt and Japan have volunteered to host the next ministerial
meeting in 2007 and South Africa, who first put forward the
idea of re-convening of the Asian-African summit, is asking to
host the next one in 2009, according to Susilo.
The leaders also signed a joint statement on the two
continents ' cooperation on natural disasters like tsunami and
earthquake.
By Agencies
Source: ChinaDaily
US ambassador
urges Russia to improve investment climate
 US
ambassador to Russia Alexander Vershbow believes that
excessive state involvement in the Russian oil and gas sector
may decrease the volume of foreign investment, Interfax news
agency reported.
"The Yukos story, the forthcoming merger between Gazprom and
Rosneft and the presence of government officials on the boards
of directors of large companies indicate that the Kremlin
intends to tighten its control over the oil and gas sector,"
Vershbow said on 29 March in Moscow at a conference "Economic
situation and investment climate in Russia", organized by the
American Chamber of Commerce.
"Each country can manage its oil and gas resources in its own
way, but excessive government restrictions may produce a big
negative effect and decrease investments," he said.
Speaking about Russia's WTO prospects, Vershbow stressed the
need "to contain protectionist forces that turned to be very
strong in the spheres of agriculture, aircraft industry and
financial services". He also indicated that "intellectual
property is not fully protected in Russia". He said that "the
time for joining the WTO depends on Russia and the deadlines
it sets for itself".
Vershbow said that an oil pipeline from Western Siberia to the
Barents Sea coast should be built in order to boost Russo-US
cooperation in energy sphere.
The ambassador stressed US interest in a strong and democratic
Russia. "A strong and democratic Russia will be a guarantor of
regional stability and buy more American goods," he said.
In a separate report Russian news agency ITAR-TASS quoted
Vershbow as saying that shortening the period for reviewing
privatization deals will influence the investment climate in
Russia favourably.
"If Russian president's declaration is fulfilled, the
investors will react positively," he said.
Vershbow acknowledged that the volume of direct foreign
investments in the Russian economy is very low. It is
one-third of what it is in the Czech Republic, one-tenth that
of Brazil and one-sixteenth that of Italy, he said. Business
needs clear-cut and transparent rules of the game, he said.
The president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia,
Andrew Sommers, criticized in his speech at the conference the
recently adopted amendments to the Russian law "On subsoil
resources". "They are not targeting foreign investors directly
but encroach upon their interests and do not increase Russia's
investment attractiveness," he said.
Source: Interfax
news agency, Moscow
ITAR-TASS news agency, Moscow
BBC Monitoring
Breaking the Dependency Cycle
Senegal calls for more two-way
trade with Canada
 Equalizing
the trade imbalance and boosting overall growth between
Senegal and Canada is what Amadou Diallo calls a strategy of
"economic diplomacy." While appreciative of Canada's
financial assistance, Mr. Diallo,
the
Senegalese Ambassador to Canada, wants to one day break free
from the cycle of dependency through greater trade promotion
between the two nations.
Until now, the French-speaking West African nation has
largely been a foreign aid priority for Canada. It is one of
the few nations identified by the Canadian International
Development Agency as a 'country of focus,' having received
$90 million over the last five years. Canada is the fifth
largest donor to Senegal. The West African coastal nation
ships about $100 million worth of goods to Canada each year,
mostly raw materials and computer parts. Meanwhile, Canada
sends over about $40 million in asbestos, wheat and other
manufactured goods.
Mr. Diallo told the Senator Foreign Affairs Committee on
March 23 that his country has hosted two economic missions
from Canada in recent years. About 50 Canadian companies are
currently operating in that country. He said that Canadian
businesses setting up factories there is an important way to
transfer technical and manufacturing skills to their
workforce. And by doing so, Senegal will develop the ability
to manufacture "value-added" products itself, he says. He
cites the potential for one of the country's major
agriculture products, groundnuts, to arrive on Canadians'
breakfast tables directly from Senegal. "The peanut butter
that you eat here should come from Senegal," he said.
Mr. Diallo added that he's encouraging an "air bridge"
between Canada and Senegal as a shipment route for products.
The embassy's commercial section is vigorously trying to
position its sellers more prominently in Canada, and aiming
to tap into niche markets, said the ambassador.
In his testimony, Mr. Diallo criticized the liberalization
policies of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank
that had "disastrous" consequences on Senegal's economy.
On the foreign aid front, the education sector gets about 60
per cent of Canada's funding, said Mr. Diallo, noting it's a
well-chosen target. However, he said it would be useful if
Canada invested more heavily in infrastructure, adding that
CIDA's past projects, like a journalism school, have got
people talking. "People point to these projects and say look
what Canada did," he said.
Mr. Diallo's appearance before the Senate Committee was part
of its wholesale study of Africa. The committee session was
interrupted temporarily when Senators were called to the Red
Chamber for a vote. Mr. Diallo and three advisors watched
from the gallery, but reconvened in the meeting room 15
minutes later to resume testimony.
By Sarah McGregor
Source : News Story
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Economic
diplomacy crucial in Africa’s
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The Angola Ambassador to Tanzania,Brito Sozinho (left) hands
over to the IPP executive
Chairman,
Reginald Mengi, a book on
Angola issues when the envoy paid a courtesy call on him at
his office in Dar-
Es Salaam. |
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Focus on economic diplomacy and South-South co-operation among
African countries is crucial for the continent’s second
emancipation, the Angolan Ambassador to Tanzania, Brito Sozinho,
said yesterday.
Ambassador Sozinho made the remarks during talks with the IPP
Executive Chairman, Reginald Mengi, in Dar es Salaam. He said
the end of political liberation struggles requires that, “our
diplomacy should change to focus on the economic field.”
The Angolan envoy also said African countries should feel proud
of having local investors who have the spirit of contributing to
the continent’s economic development.
Speaking about Angola, Ambassador Sozinho said his embassy was
ready to invite a group of Tanzanian businesspersons to visit
his country “to see what they can do to invest in Angola.”
“With globalisation we need to work closely economically,
especially under the South-South Cupertino framework,” he said.
He presented Mengi with a copy of a book that detail what Angola
can offer in terms of resources and investment potentials.
Speaking of the historical relations between Tanzania and
Angola, Ambassador Sozinho showered praise on the former
country’s contribution to liberation struggles in the latter and
the whole of Africa.
“Many Angolans were here during the liberation struggles where
they were undertaking military training…Before my appointment as
ambassador to Tanzania, I was here.
I received military training
in Kongwa (Dodoma),” he said.
Responding, Mengi said it was time for African countries to
focus more on economic development instead of singing the same
song of liberation “if poverty is to be tackled.”
“Delay to shift focus from political to economic liberation in
Africa will continue to make us poor,” he said.
He said Tanzania was lucky to have President Benjamin Mkapa with
a sound economic vision that has been changing the nation for
the better.
Mengi also urged African countries to open up opportunities to
fellow Africans in order to ensure sustainable peace in the
continent.
“The sons and daughters of this continent must feel they are
legitimate owners of their economies. There must be an enabling
environment to exploit the available economic potentials,” he
remarked.
However, he criticised commercial banks for being a setback to
Africa’s development because of the stringent conditions they
impose in availing credit.
“Claims of lack of collateral are just excuses…Some of the banks
practices in Africa are different from what most of them do in
Europe…The role of banks in Africa must be revisited,” he
observed.
The IPP Executive Chairman also said no economy in the world
that operates without being regulated; hence for a country to
run her affairs, “setting up institutions and regulations is
crucial.”
“Some countries that call for free market economy are very
regulated in their homes. They need to allow African countries
to put in place institutions and regulations,” he noted.
He also urged Africans who have stashed away their money from
the continent to come back and invest in the continent’s
development.
The First Secretary, Vicente Mwanda, and Press Attache’ Rui
Vasco accompanied the envoy to the IPP headquarters.
Angola gained its independence from Portugal in 1975 after
fierce armed struggles. For over 25 years it was characterised
by internal war with the UNITA fighters under Jonas Savimbi who
was killed three years ago. It is one of the major oil producing
countries in Africa and highly resourceful in gemstones and
miberals.
SOURCE:
Guardian
Economic
diplomacy and present-day int’l relations
 Economic diplomacy is not a new concept. The United States and
many western countries have long pursued economic interests,
considering them a top target in their external policies.
The terminology economic diplomacy was initiated and
documented by Japan after the second World War. It was thought
that in the closed international environment of a tense
confrontation of the two-pole world of the Cold War, economic
diplomacy was considered the most effective measure to
promote international exchange. In addition, after the Second
World War, Japan was bound to international regulations that
restricted its political and military capabilities. Knowing
this, Japan directed every effort and energy to develop its
economy so as to regain prestige and image.
In recent years, alongside strong development of globalisation
and tough economic competition, many countries have considered
economic diplomacy as key to opening up to the
world. Economic diplomacy includes policies of granting
and receiving aid, and attracting foreign investment. Through
such activities, economic diplomacy can also impact on
the law-making process, monetary policies and import-export and
investment activities of other countries, in order to bring
about indirect economic benefits, such as creating a better
business environment for investors and beneficial correlation of
the exchange rate.
In fact, some powerful countries have put diplomatic pressure on
other countries to achieve this target. In the early 1980s, the
United States forced Western Europe and Japan to adjust their
exchange rates against US dollar. As a result, US commodities
became cheaper and had a better competitive edge in the world
market.
Currently, China is facing similar pressure on its currency,
Yuan, yet no result has been reported so far.
Like security diplomacy, and cultural diplomacy,
the application of the concept economic diplomacy focuses
on external activities to serve economic development. The
application of the three elements depends on each country and
its specific circumstance. Sometimes security diplomacy
is given top priority. Sometimes cultural diplomacy is
considered an effective way to expand relations with other
countries. Economic diplomacy is carried out in peaceful
times, with economic development considered a central task.
Developing countries soon tapped economic diplomacy and
maintained this trend.
Former US President Bill Clinton stated when he was sworn in
that he had responsibility to promote US commodities throughout
the world. About one fifth of British diplomats working abroad
are economists. The Airbus Group has signed a contract to sell
its aircraft to China after French President Jacque Chirac
himself made a tour of China and held talks with Chinese
leaders. To emphasize the economic role in external policies,
the Republic of Korea and many other countries have merged their
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade into one
body. They also requested all diplomatic staff to work as
marketing personnel for commodities.
Meanwhile, economic diplomacy is considered a leading
tool for underdeveloped countries. Malta Finance and Commerce
Minister, Leo Brincat, said in his country diplomats should play
a vital role in promoting business opportunities. They must be
aware of economic issues in other countries so that they can
provide consultation and correct information for domestic
businesses to expand operations.
SOURCE:
www.vov.org
Former Intel Veteran Launches Global Technologies & Innovation
Corporation
former Intel Corporation veteran today announced the launch of
a company to create strategic partnerships to promote economic
development by deploying technology innovation in the US, Latin
America, and Asia.
The Global Technologies & Innovation Corporation is working with
economic development agencies and technology corporations to
initiate mutually beneficial relationships.
"Our company is based on a simple premise: that technology
innovation helps create more economic opportunity," said
Francisco De Ycaza, Chairman and President of Global
Technologies & Innovation. "We are helping technology
corporations put their innovations into the hands of people in
developing countries, where the need is great."
Mr. De Ycaza, a native of Panama who has studied and worked in
the United States for the last 11 years, previously served as
Intellectual Property and Design Reuse Program Manager for Intel
Corporation in Folsom, Calif.
While at Intel, Mr. De Ycaza was a partner of the Innovations
Group, where he facilitated innovative convergence of computing
and communications through the development and deployment of
intellectual property reuse programs for Application Specific
Integrated Circuits semiconductors.
At Intel, Mr. De Ycaza contributed to decreasing the development
time of 10 chipsets and processors across three business groups.
Mr. De Ycaza facilitated Intel's Business Communication
processes during 2003 as Co-Chair of the CommNet group.
Prior to joining Intel, Mr. De Ycaza worked at Applied Test
Resources as a Hardware Design Engineer developing analog and
mixed-signal tester motherboards and FPGA systems and at VLSI
Technology, Inc., where he worked as a Research Specialist
working on a laptop computer designs and computing peripherals
and cards. He also worked at SensaDyne Instruments designing
electronic systems and managing the company's e-commerce website
infrastructure.
Mr. De Ycaza is affiliated with the IEEE, CANDE Technical
Committee, VHDL Synthesis Interoperability Working Group (IEEE
PAR 1076.6), Stanford University Center for Integrated Systems,
Institute of Nanotechnology, the US Institute of Peace (Virtual
Diplomacy Discussion), the US-Panama Business Council, the World
Affairs Council of San Francisco, and the Commonwealth Club of
California. He holds a bachelor's in engineering from Arizona
State University and has completed some graduate work at
Stanford University through the Stanford Center for Professional
Development.
In addition to creating strategic partnerships between
corporations and economic development agencies, Global
Technologies & Innovation also is working with investors seeking
opportunities in Central America, the Caribbean Basin, Eastern
Asia, and in the United States.
"This is an exciting time in technology and in Central America,"
Mr. De Ycaza said. "There are significant economic opportunities
for technology companies to find excellent business
opportunities and to contribute to the development of
under-developed economies."
SOURCE:
home.businesswire.com
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