Businesses Must Play Role in Trumping Global Phobia; In Keynote Speech to National Forum on Trade Policy, UPS International President to Say Exporting is Key to U.S. Economy

RALEIGH, N.C.--Dec. 9, 2004--American business's ability to strengthen its exporting skills will play a key role in the country's economic future, UPS International President David Abney will say in a keynote address tonight at the National Forum on Trade Policy hosted by Duke University, the University of North Carolina and the state of North Carolina.

As he speaks to an audience of 200 national leaders in economic development, public policy and academia, Abney will point out that the tension the United States faces today in a global economy is not unlike that faced by 19th century America. Then, innovative technologies like the railroad and telegraph transformed the United States from a local to a national economy.

"The result of visionary policies by President Lincoln and the Congress of 1860 became the catalyst for America's 20th century economic expansion," Abney will say.

"Policy makers today have a similar opportunity," he will add, "by embracing, rather than fearing global trade. Instead of an 'us vs. them' mindset, we need an 'us and them' mindset."

Abney also will say that education initiatives would be the catalyst for innovating in a global economy and would require a collaboration of corporate America, educators, economic development professionals and lawmakers.

"We've got to come together to inspire a new generation of global-savvy, digital age leaders, much like Sputnik inspired a generation of engineers to lead the race to space," Abney will remark.

Abney will state that finding creative ways to help workers dislocated by global economy volatility would also be critical. And he will challenge conference attendees to develop new ways to help U.S.-based businesses export.

He will detail a three-level approach UPS is taking to help exporters through its 3,600 locations of The UPS Store, its Global Advisor Web site and by integrating exporters' business systems with UPS's synchronized supply chain systems.

Abney's remarks are part of a conference sponsored by Duke University that focuses on proactive solutions to challenges arising around issues of international trade.

For the full text of Abney's speech, and to find out ways that UPS is helping grow jobs and exporting activity in the United States and around the globe, log on to www.pressroom.ups.com.

UPS is the world's largest package delivery company and a global leader in supply chain services, offering an extensive range of options for synchronizing the movement of goods, information, and funds. Headquartered in Atlanta, UPS serves more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. UPS stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (UPS) and the company can be found on the Web at UPS.com.