A Statement From Microsoft on Senate Passage of DR-CAFTA

WASHINGTON — June 30, 2005 — On behalf of Microsoft Corp., I am pleased by the outcome of the Senate’s vote today on the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA). This agreement sends a signal to the world that the U.S. will remain a leader and partner in promoting democracy, economic growth and the rule of law around the world, and I applaud the Senate for recognizing the need to support it. It is particularly important to Microsoft and other technology companies that DR-CAFTA and other free-trade agreements negotiated by the U.S. mandate strong intellectual property protections and fair treatment for products delivered online; and that government procurement be open, transparent and based on merit. These policies are needed for the U.S. technology sector to be able to compete in global markets. The action that Congress took today on DR-CAFTA promises to have a positive effect on the ability of Microsoft and many other U.S. companies to do business in the region. I would also like to thank Senators Murray and Cantwell from Washington for their leadership on this important issue.

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