FOREIGN INDUSTRIAL CHALLENGES

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84B00049R001700060037-3
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 20, 2007
• Sequence Number: 37
• Publication Date: December 8, 1981
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2007/O3/2GQbA bTP64B00049R001700060037+1igC #3025-31
THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
National Intelligence Council
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence
Deputy Director of Central Intelligence
FROM . Henry S. Rowen
Chairman, National Intelligence Council
SUBJECT . Foreign Industrial Challenges
8 December 1981
1. Your forthcoming meeting with the President's Economic Policy
Advisory Board on Thursday has caused me to think harder about what we
should be doing on the subject of the competitiveness of US industry.
I have been a slow learner on this subject, but reflecting on Bruce
Scott's paper on this subject (i-;hich you have seen) finally made me
realize what is needed.
4. This approach is compatible with present NFAC plans for
expanded work on key industrial sectors (e.g., telecommunications,
microelectronics, computers, robotics, commercial aircraft, etc.),
but there probably would be some important differences in the work
program, and there might be some implications on how we organize to
do this work. What I am suggesting goes beyond the analysis of tech-
nology trends, market prospects, productivity growth, demooraphi
and the like
C01NFIDENTIAL
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P, /
ne people who have this kind of expertise are largely located
in industry and in certain consulting organizations that work for them
(e.g., the Boston Consulting Group, among others), plus a small number
of academics such as Scott.
5. A focal point for such a strategic perspective already exists
in NFAC (in division), but it will take time for this
unit to become properly staffed and sufficiently familiar with this kind
of analysis.
6. Therefore, in order to move ahead as rapidly as I think you
want, NFAC will probably have to make more extensive use of outside firms
and individuals than it usually does,at least at the outset.
25X1
25X1
Henry S. Rowen
All portions of this memo are
classified CONFIDENTIAL
Distribution:
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roved For Release 2007/d5 I ! P84B00049R001700060037-3