Microsoft's Gates warns US industry at risk

(Washington-Dow Jones/-AP) March 7, 2007 - Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates tells a Senate panel that US industry is at risk of losing its competitive advantage.

Gates cited figures that the US has a low rate of high school graduation relative to many other countries. He told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee that immigration policy is keeping some of the world's best talent from coming to the US.

Gates says he sees the impact almost every day at Microsoft.

In particular, Gates is critical of a visa program for college-educated, non-immigrant workers. He says the number of visas granted under the H-1-B program run out quicker every year. Gates says the ability to recruit much-needed talent is damaged, as result.

On a positive note, Gates said US universities are still regarded as the best in the world. He says the opportunity for innovation in the computer and health fields is much greater than most people realize.

Posted 11:31am by Bryce Mursch

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