COPARMEX Chihuahua MeetingCOPARMEX Chihuahua Meeting

Shaping Policy, Expediting Trade:Shaping Policy, Expediting Trade: Organizing the Voice of BusinessOrganizing the Voice of Business

Peter M. RobinsonPeter M. RobinsonPresident and CEOPresident and CEO

United States Council for International BusinessUnited States Council for International Business

April 18, 2007April 18, 2007

Globalization: Opportunity and ChallengeGlobalization: Opportunity and Challenge

• Global economy provides great opportunities…• …But national governments vary in approach• Result: globalization not a smooth process• Operating environment for business: lack of

harmonization and inconsistent legal frameworks• Effect: inefficiency, duplication, uncertainty

Intergovernmental Organizations: Intergovernmental Organizations: Facilitators or Obstacles?Facilitators or Obstacles?

• Standardization and harmonization of policies and practices• Development of guidelines and model laws• Examples: WTO and trade negotiations; UN and climate

change; International Financial Institutions; WIPO and patent and trademark; OECD and tax law; ILO and labor

• “Alphabet soup” of countless others engaged in many aspects of regulatory development

• How well do IGOs understand business?

How can business be heard in global How can business be heard in global public policy processpublic policy process

• Company advocacy in national capital and capitals abroad--the voice of the company

• Industry Trade Association advocacy in national capital and where possible abroad

--the voice of the industry• Business Organization advocacy in capital and abroad

--the voice of national business• Global Business Organization advocacy to IGOs and

national governments--the voice of global business

• Founded 1945 to represent business views in the newly-forming United Nations and to promote trade and investment

• Global network -- exclusive U.S. affiliate of:

• International Chamber of Commerce

• International Organization of Employers

• Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD

• It uses these groups to engage with and represent business views to government and international organizations

• Membership: 300+ multinational companies, law firms and industry associations

• Global Public Policy development and advocacy: Specialized committees address business issues in all major functional areas

• Trade facilitation and services: Issues and guarantees ATA Carnets, allowing temporary, duty-free imports overseas for trade shows, commercial samples and professional equipment

• ICC International Commercial Arbitration

USCIB at a glanceUSCIB at a glance

USCIB’s Global Advocacy PlatformUSCIB’s Global Advocacy Platform

COPARMEX: USCIB Counterpart in MexicoCOPARMEX: USCIB Counterpart in Mexico

COPARMEXCONCAMIN

IOE

United Nations

BIAC

OECD

Int’l Dept; ICC-Mexico

ILO

ICC

USCIB’s Global NetworkUSCIB’s Global NetworkUSCIB provides accessto a wide variety of international organizations and resources that impact trade and commerce.

Companies and business groups use this unique network to affect policies and regulations abroad, and to develop new business opportunities overseas.

Sample List of USCIB MembersSample List of USCIB Members• Altria Group• Agilent Technologies• Boeing• ChevronTexaco• Citigroup• Coca-Cola Company• Dow Chemical Company• Dupont• ExxonMobil• Ford Motor Company• Gap, Inc.• General Motors• General Electric• Hewlett-Packard• IBM• Levi Strauss & Co.• Merck

• Microsoft• Motorola• Nike• Oracle• Pfizer• Procter & Gamble• 3M• The Walt Disney Company

• American Electronics Association

• American Chemistry Council• Information Technology

Association of America• National Retail Federation• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

What USCIB OffersWhat USCIB Offers

• Information and early warning system

• Consensus Building Forum

• Global Advocacy Platform: ICC, BIAC, IOE

• Access and Advisory Role to key governmental organizations

• Influence over international governmental decisions, standards, and regulations

Organizing for ActionOrganizing for Action

Business needs:• Strong representation at ICC/BIAC/IOE

--across a wide range of issues• Strong representation in Capital City

--across a wide range of issues• Responsiveness, flexibility, leadership

--in “legacy” and “cutting edge” areas

Action Structure: CommitteesAction Structure: Committees

• Arbitration• Banking• Biotechnology• Competition• Corporate Responsibility• Customs & Trade

Facilitation• Environment• Financial Services• Information Policy

• Intellectual Property• Investment & Corporate

Governance• Labor & Employment• Marketing &

Advertising• Nanotechnology• Regions: EU, China• Taxation• Telecommunications• Trade

Making the Structure WorkMaking the Structure Work

• Membership representation: broad and deep• Transparent, consensus-building process• Frequency of meetings: as needed• Create new Working Groups as needs arise• Create cross-cutting activity as appropriate• Corporate representation in ICC/BIAC/IOE

Committees: Serving the MembersCommittees: Serving the Members

• Committees provide members a forum to:

--exchange information and experience

--create messages for governments

--launch new initiatives

--coordinate positions in ICC, BIAC, IOE• Committees allow the organization:

--an opportunity to show value to members

--to be distinguished as “member-driven”

Committees: Case StudiesCommittees: Case Studies

• Coordination in International Affiliates --Trade policy statements in ICC and BIAC --Tax in BIAC, supported in ICC --E-commerce in ICC, supported in BIAC --Health policy in BIAC and IOE• Launching new Initiatives --Biotech and Nanotechnology: BIAC, ICC

• Cross-cutting work --Trade and Labor, Trade and Environment --Europe, APEC, China

USCIB and COPARMEX: Partners USCIB and COPARMEX: Partners in Global Business Advocacyin Global Business Advocacy

• Continue collaboration on trade• Explore cooperation in other areas, in order to amplify

the North American voice in ICC, BIAC, IOE• Work together to strengthen the Commissions of ICC and

BIAC• Support OECD and Secretary-General Angel Gurria

Thank you COPARMEX! We look Thank you COPARMEX! We look forward to seeing you at the BIAC forward to seeing you at the BIAC

General Assembly in June in General Assembly in June in Mexico City!Mexico City!