Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 25, 1999
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Seattle to host World Trade Organization Ministerial meeting

SEATTLE - Gov. Gary Locke today announced that Seattle will host the 1999 World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial meeting in late November. It will be the largest trade event ever held in the United States, according to U. S. Trade representative Charlene Barshefsky.

Locke relayed the news to the Seattle Community Development Roundtable at their luncheon in Seattle, after he spoke with the White House.

The WTO event is expected to draw more than 5,000 delegates and trade ministers from 133 countries to Seattle, Nov. 30 through Dec. 3. Past host locations have included Singapore and Geneva, Switzerland.

"This is quite an honor for our state," Locke said. "It shows once again that Washington is on the cutting edge of world trade. When the trade ministers visit our state in November, we will learn a lot from them, and we will be eager to show off our state's vibrant economy."

Vice President Al Gore called the governor this afternoon to congratulate him and the citizens of the state of Washington on the selection of Seattle. The meeting will mark the first time the WTO has held its biannual meeting in North America.

Locke lauded the efforts of Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Seattle) for his efforts in attracting the World Trade Organization ministers to Seattle. The other finalist was San Diego, Calif.

Initially, more than 40 U.S. cities expressed an interest in hosting the Ministerial meeting. Officials said Seattle was chosen for many reasons, including the ability to host up to 5,000 delegates and press, security arrangements, proximity of the convention facility to hotels and an international airport, local transportation, logistics, and offers of help from the host city, the state and the private sector.

Locke said it is fitting for Washington to host such an event. Washington is the most trade-dependent state in the nation, with one in every four jobs related to international trade. Washington also ranks first in the nation in terms of per capita exports. Total two-way trade through Washington ports in 1997 accounted for more than $100 billion.

The WTO meeting will focus on reducing trade barriers in agriculture and services and other areas to enhance U.S. access to markets abroad. Trade Representative Barshefsky said the WTO also must address the technological revolution in areas such as electronic commerce, and must work to ease the development and commercialization of beneficial scientific advances.

The WTO is an international body that oversees a set of historic agreements among the United States and 132 other members. The group works to reduce unnecessary barriers to trade. The WTO agreements provide rules for governments to follow in trade policy.

Seattle also hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in 1993 and the WTO Quadrilateral Trade Ministerial Meetings in 1996.

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