A new U.S. trade program, the assembly industry in Hungary, and Indian market reforms attracting U.S. investment and trade are among the topics explored in the current issue of Industry, Trade, and Technology Review, a quarterly publication of the U.S. International Trade Commission's Office of Industries.

Industry, Trade, and Technology Review (ITTR) contains articles originating from research and analysis conducted by International Trade Commission (ITC) staff as part of its responsibilities to provide advice and technical information on industry and trade issues. The ITTR provides analysis of important issues and insights into the global position of U.S. industries, the technological competitiveness of the United States, and implications of trade and policy developments.

The ITTR is a publication of the Office of Industries. The opinions and conclusions it contains are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Commission or of any individual Commissioner.

The current issue (March 1998) includes the following articles:

• Textiles and Apparel: New U.S. Trade Program Likely to Spur Imports from Israel and Jordan --- U.S. legislation to implement the U.S.-Israel Free Trade Agreement was amended in October 1996 to give the President authority to proclaim duty-free treatment for imported goods made in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and in "qualifying industrial zones" (QIZs) along Israel's border with Egypt and Jordan. This article examines the QIZ program, U.S. textile and apparel trade with Israel and Jordan, and the potential for changes in patterns of such trade in the region as a result of the QIZ.

• The Assembly Industry in Hungary: Favorable Business Climate Creates New Opportunities for U.S. Industries --- Foreign assembly has become a global phenomenon during the past decade, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and Central and Eastern Europe. Hungary has quickly emerged as the leading location for new investment by U.S.- and EU-based companies since the Central Europe transition to market-based economies. This article examines how various factors promote or impede EU and U.S. production sharing operations in Central Europe, highlights the role of Hungary in EU trade, profiles the assembly industry in Hungary, and illustrates U.S. and EU companies participating in the assembly industry in Hungary.

• Indian Market Reforms Attract U.S. Investment and Trade in Capital Goods and Equipment --- Recurring fiscal deficits and negative balances of payments in the 1980s encouraged the Indian Government to initiate economic reforms to move the country from central planning to a market economy. The reforms instituted in 1991 included privatization of some public enterprises, convertibility of currency, liberal rules for foreign investment, lower tariff rates, and reduced import barriers. This article reviews the growth of Indian demands for U.S. exports of capital goods and equipment and the growth of U.S. investment in India during 1990 to 1997. It also considers what historical forces encouraged these economic changes.

In addition, the publication includes an appendix charting key performance indicators for the steel, automobile, aluminum, flat glass, and services industries.

Industry, Trade, and Technology Review (USITC Publication 3099, March 1998) will be posted on the ITC's Internet server at http://www.usitc.gov. A cumulative list of articles published in the report series is also posted. The ITTR will also be available at regional federal depository libraries in the United States. To request a printed copy of the ITTR or to be added to the mailing list, contact the Office of the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. Requests may also be faxed to 202- 205-2104.