CEOs and World Notables Convene in Kuala Lumpur to Discuss Global Business and Policy Environments

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Malaysia's growing economy and increasingly competitive IT services infrastructure will provide the vantage point for discussions as Kuala Lumpur plays host to a retreat for chief executives and thought leaders from some twenty countries from June 16 - 18, convened by the Global Business Policy Council of A.T. Kearney, the global management consulting firm.

Asia's rising economic and geopolitical importance will be among the topics discussed during the two-day gathering, facilitated by a distinguished faculty of executives, authors, scientists, journalists and other thought leaders. The Honorable Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, will serve as the meeting's official host and will address participants.

Topics for this CEO retreat in Kuala Lumpur will include: * How business and political leaders can seize strategic opportunity from a turbulent global operating environment, with aftershocks from bursting bubbles, security challenges, war and health threats like SARS and avian flu. * The vulnerability of infrastructure chokepoints and sea lanes to security risks, and the continuing "new great game" of competition for oil, gas and other key natural resources. * The economic affects of the reconstruction in Southeast Asia following the December 2004 Tsunamis. * Moderate Islam's quest to find a viable way between tradition and modernity. * The opening of India's consumer and services markets to the world. * China's growth paradox and the need to drive efficient growth and taper off the cycle of aggressive lending-driven capacity expansion. * Japan and Korea's successful reinvention as global hubs for design, consumer brands and creative industries.

"We are delighted to bring this important gathering to Malaysia for the first time," said Paul Laudicina, A.T. Kearney vice president and managing director of the Global Business Policy Council. "Under The Honorable Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's leadership, Malaysia has committed to becoming a major player in the Knowledge Economy. His vision of an economically competitive, democratic, diverse yet harmonious Malaysia is uniquely forward-looking, while respecting and maintaining the various traditions and religions in this country."

A.T. Kearney's Global Business Policy Council brings together heads of state, CEOs, policy-makers and world-renowned thought leaders twice yearly, from over two dozen countries in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

The Kuala Lumpur CEO retreat is the nineteenth such gathering since A.T. Kearney established the Global Business Policy Council nearly 15 years ago. Past retreats have been held in world capitals such as London, Berlin, Lisbon and Mexico City. Heads of state who have hosted Global Business Policy Council gatherings include German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, Mexican President Vicente Fox and Portuguese Prime Minister Jose Manuel Barroso, current president of the European Commission.

A.T. Kearney Research Shows Malaysia Moving Ahead

Malaysia's rankings as a preferred destination for foreign direct investment, including IT and business process offshoring, and its increasing integration with the global economy, are reflected in the most recent findings of several annual studies conducted by the Global Business Policy Council.

It ranks among the world's top 15 most desirable foreign direct investment destinations, according to the A.T. Kearney FDI Confidence Index. Malaysia placed third in A.T. Kearney's Offshore Location Attractiveness Index in 2004. In addition, it is one of only two Asian nations to appear among the top 20 in the 2005 A.T. Kearney/Foreign Policy Magazine Globalization Index, along with its Southeast Asian neighbor, Singapore.

"Malaysia's advance is particularly impressive given the recent challenges posed by market crises, wars, and international terrorism," said John Meinhold, A.T. Kearney vice president and head of the firm's Kuala Lumpur office. "Improving education and infrastructure, scientific innovation and the country's well-educated, capable workforce are helping to drive Malaysia's growing economy."

About the Global Business Policy Council

The Global Business Policy Council of A.T. Kearney assists chief executives in monitoring and capitalizing on macroeconomic, geopolitical, socio-demographic and technological change worldwide. Council membership is limited to a select group of corporate leaders and their companies. The Council's core program includes periodic retreats in strategically important parts of the world, tailored analytical products, regular member briefings, regional events and other services.

About A.T. Kearney

A.T. Kearney (http://www.atkearney.com/ ) is one of the world's largest management consulting firms. With global presence spanning major and emerging markets, A.T. Kearney provides strategic, operational, and organizational and technology consulting and executive search services to the world's leading companies. A.T. Kearney is management consulting subsidiary of leading global technology services company EDS .

For more information, please contact: Helen Kensick A.T. Kearney Tel: +1-312-223-7266 helen.kensick@atkearney.com Caroline Joseph Raj AV ASIA COMMUNICATIONS SDN BHD Tel: 03-2711 9128 Fax: 03- 2711 9130 Email: caroline@avec.com.my