*EPF212 10/21/2003
Fact Sheet: Indonesia, Peru Join Information Technology Initiative
(White House fact sheet on Digital Freedom Initiative) (290)

Indonesia and Peru have joined the Digital Freedom Initiative, a public-private partnership to promote transfer of information and communication technology to benefit entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing countries.

"The United States is committed to helping countries bridge the digital divide and generate economic growth and opportunity," says a White House fact sheet on the initiative.

Following is the text of the fact sheet:

(begin fact sheet)

THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary (Singapore)
October 21, 2003

FACT SHEET

U.S. Expands Digital Freedom Initiative to Indonesia and Peru

Presidential Action

-- Today, President Bush announced the expansion of the U.S. Digital Freedom Initiative to two APEC economies: Indonesia and Peru.

Digital Freedom Initiative (DFI): The United States is committed to helping countries bridge the digital divide and generate economic growth and opportunity. DFI promotes transfer of information and communication technology (ICT) to benefit entrepreneurs and small businesses in developing countries. It also aims to help countries create a pro-competitive policy and regulatory environment. The program is a public-private partnership and is supported by USA Freedom Corps' Volunteers for Prosperity initiative.

Expansion to Indonesia and Peru: President Bush welcomed Indonesia and Peru as DFI partner countries. The activities to be pursued in these countries cover a range of possibilities, including:

-- Placing U.S. private and public sector volunteers in small and medium-sized businesses to share ICT expertise;

-- Supporting development of a national cyber-security program to facilitate computerization and e-business;

-- Providing easier access to credit for small and medium-sized businesses; and

-- Applying U.S. expertise in areas such as distance learning, tele-health and e-government.

(end fact sheet)

(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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