Press Release

For Immediate Release October 25, 2005

Contact: Eric Thomas The Fratelli Group (202) 822-9491

ABCDoha Kicks-Off Business Push for Success at Hong Kong Ministerial
USTR Portman Endorses Business Initiative at Launch Event

Washington, D.C. - The American Business Coalition for Doha (ABCDoha) formally launched today at a press briefing attended by U.S. Trade Representative Rob Portman and leaders of the U.S. business community. ABCDoha represents a broad cross-section of major U.S. trade associations, large and small businesses, and agriculture groups all dedicated to achieving an ambitious, balanced, and comprehensive outcome to the Doha Round in 2006.

"The formation today of ABCDoha further exemplifies the extraordinarily strong support across the American business community for a successful WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong and an ambitious and comprehensive outcome of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations," said Harold McGraw III, Chairman, President and CEO of The McGraw-Hill Companies. "With the full participation of WTO members and bold steps forward, these negotiations have the unique potential to spur major gains in economic growth, creating new opportunities and a higher standard of living. The American business community will work vigorously in furtherance of a commercially meaningful outcome of these negotiations."

"U.S. leadership under Ambassador Portman has been instrumental in breaking the Doha deadlock on agricultural negotiations," stated Cargill, Incorporated CEO, Warren Staley. "All nations must be ready to make the tough decisions on market access necessary to move the Doha Round negotiations ahead. Opening markets to increased trade and investment is a necessary step for economic development. We applaud all countries that are focused on reducing market access barriers, as this will stimulate longer-term growth across the globe."

ABCDoha announced its plans to work with the U.S. Administration and Congress, the WTO leadership, officials and colleagues in other WTO member countries, and other NGOs to push for a successful Hong Kong Ministerial in December, and a successful conclusion of the Doha Round by the end of 2006.

"As the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. has a vital interest in the expansion of the international flow of goods, agricultural products, retail services and financial capital. So I commend the U.S. government for taking an ambitious approach to lowering trade barriers through the WTO talks. Today's launch of the ABC Doha Coalition reflects the American business community's support of that endeavor," stated Lee Scott, CEO, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

Negotiations under the Doha Round are reaching a critical juncture as they enter their final phase prior to the Hong Kong Ministerial. The World Bank estimates that elimination of global trade barriers would enhance global economic welfare by $290 billion by 2015. ABCDoha believes the Doha Round represents a critical opportunity to bring the trading system into the 21st century and secure future economic growth of the U.S. and global economy.

"Our trade negotiators should push for an ambitious trade agreement - one that eliminates both tariffs and nontariff barriers on all information technology products - so that people all over the world can have unfettered access to them," said Antonio M. Perez, Chief Executive Officer and President, Eastman Kodak Company. "This new business coalition will work to promote an agreement that will do the most good for the most people."

"Today we are renewing our collective commitment to achieve the best result possible from this historic and once-in-a-generation opportunity presented by the Doha Round. We must ensure it lives up to its full potential, as America and indeed all countries gain from an open, transparent and rules-based worldwide trading system," concluded William C. Weldon Chairman and CEO, Johnson & Johnson.

ABCDoha Website Launched

ABCDoha also announced the launch of its new website www.ABCDoha.org - which is being designed to serve as a one-stop source of information on the Doha negotiations. The site includes issue briefs on the major negotiating areas: Agriculture, Non Agriculture Market Access, Services and Trade Facilitation, and will feature up-to-date news and information about the Doha Round, useful links, and other background information.

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The American Business Coalition for Doha (ABCDoha) is an umbrella group representing the diverse interests of service-providers, manufacturers, agribusiness, customs facilitators, and many other stakeholders all dedicated to achieving an ambitious result from the Doha Round in 2006.