The Hindu Business Line : `Security vital for enhancing trade'

SECURITY and trade go hand in hand, and this should not be seen as a barrier to global trade, considering the current ground realities of the situation.

Addressing newspersons here, Mr Kenneth L. Juster, Under Secretary for Bureau of Industry and Security, Department of Commerce, USA, said if one abides by the security regulations and procedures that have been established in the changed global environment, it would be beneficial to all countries in the prevention catastrophe that may threaten world trade.

Focussing on the importance of evolving a national strategy for cyber space, he said the US Department of Commerce was willing to extend any cooperation to India on the legal approach to framing of cyber-laws. He felt security was the weakest link in international information networks today. Cyber-security, according to him, was "one of the keys to unlocking the full potential of the trade and technology relationship between the US and India".

He urged greater priority be given to cyber-security, with particular emphasis on high technology security, improved infrastructure, enhancement of intellectual property rights and lowering of both tariff and non-tariff barriers in trade.

"As commerce between the US and India continues to expand, consumers and corporations will seek to ensure that their personal information and proprietary data are secure, and that information services are reliable and protected."

In the context of Bengal, Mr Juster said the biggest challenge would be to make the State better known for high technology trade.

Stressing on the urgency to improve IT infrastructure in a big way, he said dialogues have been initiated with private sector representatives to understand the business environment better.

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