PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release                                                                     ...............................Contact: John Goyer April 20, 2005                                                                       .................................. .............(202) 289-7460 x22 CSI Urges Prompt Confirmation of Portman as Next USTR (Washington, DC)  The Coalition of Service Industries (CSI) today called for the prompt confirmation of Robert Portman as United States Trade Representative. CSI noted that a full slate of urgent and challenging trade issues await the incoming USTR, particularly the Doha Round of multilateral trade talks, and the services negotiations taking place within those talks. "Mr. Portman's prompt nomination will demonstrate to our trading partners that the US will continue its leadership in the WTO," said Norman Sorensen, Chairman of CSI and President & CEO of Principal International, Inc.  "And the challenges that the Doha Round faces - particularly on negotiations to liberalize trade and investment in services - require immediate leadership and engagement."  Sorensen pointed out that while progress is being made in the agriculture and industrial goods "pillars" of the Doha Round, services are lagging badly. "In the absence of a renewed and vigorous effort on services at the highest levels, it is very likely that we will face a situation in which, having agreed to tariff reductions and modalities on agriculture and industrial goods, there simply will not be time to negotiate services adequately before the end of the Round."  Sorensen said. Most observers expect that WTO members will try to conclude the Round by the end of 2006. Services account for the overwhelming share of employment and economic output in the United States.  About 80% of US private sector GDP is generated by services, and the sector accounts for roughly the same proportion of US employment.  US crossborder exports of services last year reached $338 billion, and the US enjoys a $50 billion surplus in services trade. A Dear Colleague letter circulated last month by Congressmen Jim Kolbe (R-AZ) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), points out that the Doha Round "presents a rare opportunity for the multilateral liberalization of services across the spectrum of services industries." "Mr. Portman will provide the leadership that is needed for the job, and he is needed now." Said Sorensen.  "We look forward to his prompt confirmation by the Senate." # # # # #