ICC Exhorts G8 to Push for Agreement in Doha Trade Round

TOKYO and NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - June 17, 2008) - Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, who will host July's G8 summit, today received the vice chairman of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Hong Kong businessman Victor Fung, according to ICC's American affiliate.

Mr. Fung, who is also the incoming chairman of ICC, handed the Japanese prime minister an appeal to G8 leaders to intensify international economic cooperation and revive global economic growth. The ICC statement (available at www.uscib.org/docs/icc_g8_statement_2008.pdf) focused on the need for a successful conclusion of the Doha Round of trade negotiations.

"We explained to Prime Minister Fukuda that the world business community is looking for strong leadership at the upcoming G8 meeting," Mr. Fung said. "Businesses all over the world want a successful completion of the Doha trade negotiations to be at the forefront of the G8 agenda."

The Paris-based ICC is the largest, most representative private-sector association in the world, with hundreds of thousands of member companies in over 130 countries. The United States Council for International Business (USCIB), based in New York, serves as ICC's American national committee.

A successful agreement in the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations is only possible if G8 leaders step up their diplomatic efforts at the highest political level, the ICC said in its annual statement on behalf of world business to the heads of state and government attending the G8 summit.

"We also talked about the critical need for the G8's backing of wide and deep international support for the UN framework on climate change," said Mr. Fung. "ICC is pleased to note the priority given to this challenge by the summit."

ICC has a long-standing working relationship with the G8 and many intergovernmental organizations, including the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. The core mission of ICC is to promote trade and investment across frontiers and help businesses meet the challenges and opportunities of globalization.

USCIB promotes an open system of global commerce on behalf of its membership of more than 300 leading U.S. companies, professional service firms and associations. As American affiliate of ICC and other leading international business and employers' organizations, USCIB provides business views to policy makers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate international trade. More at www.uscib.org.

Contact Information: Contact: Jonathan Huneke VP of Communications USCIB +1 212 703 5043