``Egypt: Open for Business'' Conference; Egypt's Minister of Investment, Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, to discuss recent government and business reforms and investment opportunities; Key Spokespersons Available to Comment.

General Authority for Investment & Free Zones (GAFI):

WHO
---
H.E. Dr. Mahmoud Mohieldin, Minister of Investment, Egypt
Dr. Ziad Bahaa-Eldin, Chairman, General Authority for Investment
  & Free Zones (GAFI), Egypt

WHAT
----
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt, Citibank, and the Bank of
New York conference will feature U.S. and Egyptian business
executives discussing emerging business and investment opportunities
in the Egyptian market as the government of Egypt continues an
aggressive program of economic liberalization and privatization
designed to open the market to foreign investors.

These economic reforms are designed to enable international and
Egyptian investors to tap the comparative advantages the country
offers, including. In less than two years, the reforms are already
having positive effects:

    --  GDP growth rose to 5% last year and is on track to reach 6%
        this year.
    --  Inflation spiked at 12% in 2004, receded to 3.1% by late 2005.
    --  Egypt's current accounts posted a surplus of 3.3% of GDP last
        year, climbing from a 1.2% deficit five years earlier.
    --  Market capitalization doubled in 2005, and the total value of
        stocks traded on the Cairo Alexandria Stock Exchange increased
        four-fold last year.

WHEN:   Thursday, March 16, 2006, 8:00am - 4:15pm ET

WHERE:  The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Astor Salon, 301 Park Avenue at
        49th Street, New York, NY 10022

INTERVIEWS/BRIEFINGS:
---------------------
For more information or to arrange for an interview/briefing with the
above-mentioned key spokespersons please contact:

Sheila Rose, 212-453-2492, [e-mail]
Sean Healy, 212-453-2438, [e-mail]
Krystyna Hall, 212-453-2423, [e-mail]