The Doha Round of trade negotiations, energy security, improving conditions for international investment and fostering innovation topped the list of issues raised by ICC Secretary General Guy Sebban at meetings with Finnish business leaders and politicians yesterday.

During a visit hosted by ICC Finland, Mr Sebban met with Finnish Foreign Affairs Minister Erkki Tuomioja and Foreign Trade and Development Minister Paula Lehtomäki. Their discussions focused on Finland's crucial role in advancing these important issues when it takes over the EU presidency in July.

Following their meetings, Mr Sebban and the ministers addressed a gathering of Finnish business leaders on the EU's role in the global economy. Mr Sebban emphasized the need for the World Trade Organization's trade talks to come to a successful conclusion by the end of this year and warned of the risks of failure - among them, losing the already hard-won commitments essential to global economic progress.

"A positive outcome to the Doha Round is vital to raising global living standards, creating jobs, and boosting world economic growth," said Mr. Sebban. "An agreement will go a long way in reinforcing the rules-based multilateral trading system, keeping in check protectionist instincts and safeguarding non-discriminatory trade."

The group also discussed some of the major topics to be addressed at the G8 Summit in Russia this July, including the role of business in helping to secure energy resources for the future, market-driven energy provision and investment. Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen will represent the EU at the G8 Summit this year.

During a visit to Nokia House, the company's headquarters in the city of Espoo, Mr Sebban outlined ICC's key priorities, describing how the Business Action to Stop Counterfeiting and Piracy (BASCAP) project is addressing intellectual property right protection. He also explained how the Business Action to Support Information Society (BASIS) project is working to ensure continued business involvement in Internet governance and in advancing the role of new technologies in development.

"As an open, market-driven economy whose success is based on foreign trade, Finland is a strong supporter of ICC and its trade and investment goals," said ICC Finland's Secretary General Timo Vuori. "Yet even here we face opposition to globalization. Business must speak up locally and globally to make the benefits of economic integration and trade liberalization known."

For more information:
Elizabeth Thomas-Raynaud
Communications Officer
Tel: +33 1 49 53 28 22
Fax: +33 1 49 53 29 24