Robert Holleyman, BSA: Congress Should to Pass Russia PNTR Legislation

June 18, 2012

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) welcomed the introduction of legislation in the Senate yesterday to establish Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia. Sponsored by Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT), International Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member John Thune (R-SD), Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA), and Armed Services Committee Ranking Member John McCain (R-AZ), the legislation allows the United States to take advantage of new trade commitments Russia has made to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“Russia will soon formally join the WTO and be bound by new commitments to open its market and protect intellectual property rights. This will help the software industry tap Russia’s rapidly growing IT market,” said Business Software Alliance President and CEO Robert Holleyman. “The legislation introduced by Senators Baucus, Thune, Kerry, and McCain is an important show of bipartisan support that will allow the US technology industry to benefit from Russia’s WTO membership. We urge the Senate and House to swiftly pass this legislation.”