U.S. TDA: Current Press Release

TDA Names Top 20 Information Technology, Telecommunications Projects in Asia For U.S. Exports
U.S. Trade and Development Agency Bringing Sponsors of Key Projects to Meet U.S. Companies in Export Promotion Tour to Boston and Seattle

For Immediate Release

Washington, D.C. — The U.S. Trade and Development Agency today released a list of 20 projects in Southeast Asia that have the potential for more than $19 billion in information and telecommunications technology exports.

The projects, which are profiled in a report that will be released by TDA next week, are in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Key buyers for the projects will be in Boston on June 9-10, 1997 and in Seattle on June 11-12, 1997 at conferences sponsored by TDA to promote U.S. exports for the projects.

"The hottest export market in the world for high technology is Southeast Asia," said TDA Director J. Joseph Grandmaison in releasing the list. "It is critical for American firms to get the inside track on supplying products and services for these projects because the competition for them will be intense. These 20 projects, identified by government and business officials as offering the best possibilities for U.S. exports, are on the drawing boards and are moving forward."

Each project will be detailed at the TDA conferences by key procurement officials from across Asia. TDA will be facilitating "one-on-one" meetings between attending U.S. companies and the project sponsors that enable companies to learn more about the projects in private meetings and meet contacts for follow-up work.

The projects cited in the report include:

Brunei

Interactive Multi-Media Services — 10-year project to build a national information network for the public and private sector. Plans call for the development of a network with either a combination of optical and coaxial cables.

Indonesia

Nusantara 21 and InISPro — Joint public-private sector program to link the 27 provincial capitals in the worldís fourth largest nation. Includes satellites, conventional cables, radio links, and submarine cables. The InISPro component of the project includes the development of a communications and multimedia strategy for Indonesiaís telecommunications industry with a goal of increasing telephone line availability five-fold in the next 20 years. Estimated total cost of projects is $14 billion.

Integrated Financial Management Solutions — Financial management system for the state-owned utility P.T. Perusahaan Listrik Negra (PLN) includes developing a suite of applications for cash management and financial controls. Estimated project cost: $64.3 million.

Malaysia

"Smart City" of Putrajaya — The cornerstone of the governmentís information technology improvement program is the development of Putrajaya, a new capital center and administrative seat. This $8 billion project, scheduled for completion in 2005, will utilize information technology and state-of-the-art communications technology to improve the collection, storage, and accessibility of government documents.

Philippines

Civil Registry Information System — Proposed $30 million system to process, transfer, and store civil records nationwide. Designed to be operated on a build-operate-transfer basis, the project, to be implemented over seven years, is designed to improve the efficiency and accuracy of vital documents.

Land Water Information and Mapping System — Comprehensive reference system to integrate land and water information and maps for agencies and the private sector. First phase expected to begin 1998. Estimated cost: $5 million.

Environment and Natural Resources Database — This four-year, multi-million dollar project is designed to collect, store, and make accessible a variety of documents for policy decision-making by the Philippine Governmentís Department of Environment and Natural Resources. A variety of hardware, software, and networking products and services are required.

National Mapping and Resource Information Modernization — This multi-purpose project is designed to modernize the services and information of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority over the next decade. Included is the development of a fully-computerized mapping system and the creation of a "one-stop shop" for mapping information. Estimated cost for the project is $7.7 million.

Land Transportation Office Information Technology Infrastructure — Linking the Land Transportation Officeís 230 field offices with a wide area network is the goal of this $55 million project. Network communications and data warehousing systems will be needed to maintain and update databases on motor vehicles, drivers licenses, traffic and accident history, and geographic information for transport planning.

Singapore

Government Video Conferencing Network — Government-wide video conferencing and multi-media project scheduled for implementation during the next two years. The National Computer Board has made this a priority project.

Integrated Data Management System — This project calls for the development of a national network during the next two years to support electronic submission of information to government agencies and provide access to it for the public. Included are provisions to design an island-wide network for secured electronic transactions.

Integrated Document Management System — Management system for electronic documents integrated with desktop productivity tools, image processing, and electronic mail that can be accessed by local area network, remote dial up service, and through the Internet.

Government Information Network — National Computer Board project to facilitate collaborative work among government agencies by the modernization of the governmentís intranet infrastructure.

Thailand

State Railway of Thailand Computerization Improvement — Seven information management and telecommunication projects to be implemented by the year 2002 valued at more than $26 million designed to facilitate the railwayís day-to-day operations, including billing systems, maintenance, and scheduling.

Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment Information Project — $15 million project that has five components to create a wide area network connecting 40 academic institutes, a digital library, video conferencing, computer training, and a computer research center. Implementation is slated for the next three years.

Government Information Network — Designed to set up a value-added computer service network linking government organizations in 300 districts nationwide to share electronic mail, information, and run a wide variety of applications, this project is estimated to total $77 million. It is administered by the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center.

Software Technology Park — The linchpin of the governmentís program to increase the use of technology in Thailand, this project calls for the development of an industrial hub for the computer industry. The facilities will be equipped with a high technology infrastructure that includes a high-speed telecommunications network with fiber optic backbone and capacities for 100 software firms. Project cost: $70 million.

Vietnam

Bank Modernization Project — This four-year, $53.9 million project for the State Bank of Vietnam is designed to modernize the Vietnamese banking system through technology improvements. Information and communications systems will be designed to speed the circulation of funds, increase the efficiency of funds transmissions, and strengthen the institutional capabilities of participating banks to stimulate commercial bank initiatives.

Ministry of Finance Modernization Project — Improving the efficiency of the governmentís Finance Ministry to assist in policy-making is the goal of this $100 million information technology project being funded by the World Bank. Modern technologies will be applied to financial and taxation practices to enhance their effectiveness and assist in government decision-making on banking, tax, and the federal budget. Software, hardware, telecommunications, and other equipment — as well as technical support and project management ó are required.

Aviation Information Management Projects — Seven projects focus on utilizing information and telecommunications technology to increase the efficiency and safety of Vietnamís aviation sector. They include a centralized database for aircraft maintenance activities, flight management, and departure controls. Other applications are required to develop a frequent flyer program and yield management system for the nationís airlines.

For additional information on the projects and conferences, contact TDA at 703-875-4357 or on the agencyís web page (www.tda.gov).

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