Senior Counsel Karl Ege Plays Role in Promoting Vietnam-U.S. Investment Cooperation

SEATTLE (November 19, 2008) – Senior Counsel Karl Ege of Perkins Coie's Corporate Governance & Transactions practice led a meeting in Hanoi between the Russell 20-20 Association and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung of Vietnam in an effort to strengthen trade and investment between Vietnam and the United States. Ege is Vice Chairman of Russell 20-20, a non-profit association of global institutional investors that evaluates the investment climate in major emerging and frontier market countries. In his meeting with Prime Minister Dung, Ege affirmed that the association will support the promotion of Vietnam-U.S. investment cooperation. The United States is currently the sixth-largest foreign investor in Vietnam. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about the relationship between the countries, stating that "Vietnam will create favorable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the U.S., to foster long-term efficient investment in the country." Prior to visiting with business leaders and government officials in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, members of the Russell 20-20 Association met with key political and business leaders in Thailand.