Press Release

For Immediate Release June 8, 2006

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

ABCDoha Welcomes Confirmation of Ambassador Susan Schwab as United States Trade Representative

Washington, D.C. - The American Business Coalition for Doha (ABCDoha) expressed strong support for today's confirmation of Susan Schwab as United States Trade Representative (USTR). Schwab was confirmed by the U.S. Senate by a (unanimous?) vote.

"Ambassador Schwab has the experience and commitment to do an excellent job as United States Trade Representative," said Scott Miller, Director for National Government Relations for Procter & Gamble. "This caliber of this Cabinet on trade is exceptionally strong across all key positions and is now elevated even further with the addition of Schwab. The American business community is very enthusiastic about her appointment, and is pleased by the strong bipartisan showing of support in the U.S. Senate."

Ambassador Schwab takes the helm at USTR at a critical stage in the Doha Round negotiations. ABCDoha, the voice of U.S. business in advocating an ambitious outcome to the Doha Round, reiterated its call for all negotiating parties to get to work on reaching agreement in key areas before time effectively runs out for a deal this year.

"Ambassador Schwab is well known and highly regarded among her peers in the international community. She is undoubtedly the right person for the job. Her extensive experience and stature as a successful trade negotiator will serve the country well as the Doha negotiations enter a very critical stage," Miller concluded.

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