China: DMA Requests Member Input on China Issues by Feb. 15.

February 8, 2006 – The Direct Marketing Association is calling on members to provide input, advice, and experience on matters relating to conducting business in and with China in order that DMA officials can present that information to government authorities who will be presenting recommendations to President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao. Deadline for submission of comments is Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006.

According to Charles Prescott, DMA’s vice president for international business development and government affairs, in advance of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the US in April, discussions of previously identified problems with China's opening of its market to the world's investors and businesses will take place at the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). This is a discussion at the highest levels of our respective governments, and the Commission formulates the agreements our Presidents commit to, Prescott said.

In order to represent its members interests, DMA is participating in a business-led program to bring forward bilateral trade and investment issues before that Commission, Prescott said.

Among the highlights from last year's JCCT meetings, Prescott said, were several commitments on intellectual property rights protection, software procurement, distribution, insurance, and telecom market access. Progress on resolution of problems in those areas, he said, will be discussed at the upcoming JCCT meeting along with new issues that are presented.

“Intellectual property rights protection, competition policy, and trading and distribution and direct sales issues will figure prominently as initial key business priorities for the agenda,” Prescott said. “Therefore, DMA welcomes member suggestions – no later than February 15 – on these and other issues that you believe should be priority agenda items for the upcoming JCCT meetings, as well as ultimate objectives for the Chinese and US with respect to these items.”

DMA members who have input, advice, and/or experience on these or any other issues with respect to their China business that they wish to be brought forward in the Association’s submission to the JCCT process are asked to contact the DMA's Prescott at 212.790.1552 or cprescot@the-dma.org. Deadline for submission of comments is Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006.

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