Business Wire, Central News Agency Extend Cooperation to Provide Taiwanese Listed Companies with a Proven Platform to Reach International Investors and Global Consumer Markets

TAIPEI & SAN FRANCISCO--July 12, 2006--Taiwan's globalization efforts have taken a major leap forward with the expansion of a news distribution relationship between Business Wire and the island-nation's official Central News Agency. The exclusive agreement provides the Taiwan Stock Exchange's 1,200 listed companies with access to Business Wire's worldwide communications platform to reach international investors and consumer markets.

The June 29 contract signing was a major highlight of ceremonies marking the CNA's 10th anniversary as Taiwan's national news agency, and its 82nd founding anniversary. Government, corporate, and media dignitaries attended the gala event, including Examination Yuan President Yao Chia-Wen, Vice President Annette Lu, Vice Premier Tsair Ingwen, CNA Chairman Su Tzen-ping, and representatives from the world's leading news agencies.

Hector Botero, chief executive officer of International Media Services, which licenses the Business Wire name in the Greater China region, negotiated the long-term commercial agreement on Business Wire's behalf.

The agreement offers TSE-listed companies increased visibility in the world financial markets, providing seamless access to the mainstream financial information channels that serve as the lifeblood of the international investment community.

TSE officials have signaled their enthusiastic support for the corporate outreach initiative, anxious to provide member companies with a credible conduit to broader audiences.

Under the terms of the arrangement, CNA will help traded companies meet their domestic disclosure obligations, while Business Wire will serve as the gateway to international financial markets.

"Business Wire has long been one of our key partners and this agreement will surely bring us closer together," said CNA Chairman Su Tzen-ping. "This groundbreaking collaboration is expected to greatly increase the popularity of local listed and OTC companies, while ensuring the transparency of related information."

"We appreciate the opportunity to strengthen our relationship with the Central News Agency, and to provide Taiwanese companies with much improved access to today's global marketplace," said Cathy Baron Tamraz, Business Wire's president and chief executive officer, in making the announcement.

Business Wire and CNA have enjoyed an exclusive relationship since February 2005. More than 100 newspapers subscribe to the CNA daily news report, which also serves Chinese expatriates worldwide. CNA is a leading news source to Internet service providers, including yahoo.com.tw, and cnabc.com, and to mobile phone operators.

About The Central News Agency:

Founded in Guangzhou (Canton), southern China on April 1, 1924, The Central News Agency (CNA) has been in operation longer than any other media outlet in the country and is Taiwan's largest national news agency. Headquartered in Taiwan since 1949, CNA provides about 1,500 items of fair, fast and comprehensive local and international news in Chinese, English and Spanish every day to the media, helping to promote an open information society as well as effectively preserving the multifaceted and balanced media environment in Taiwan.

CNA's coverage spans the globe, with correspondents in every city and county in Taiwan and in 35 cities overseas. CNA correspondents file an average of 500 news items every day, covering politics, economics, defense, diplomacy, military affairs, justice, and international and cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, making it the largest news provider in Taiwan.

In addition to articles, CNA offers radio, television, in-flight services and mobile phone operators with news content and images from around the world.

About Business Wire:

Business Wire, a Berkshire Hathaway company, was founded in 1961 by chairman Lorry I. Lokey, veteran journalist and public relations executive.

The company's multi-channel delivery network, with access to some 60 international and national news agencies, financial information providers and Web-based news services throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, provides real-time, simultaneous access to key audiences -- the news media, trade publications, institutional and individual investors, business-to-business decision-makers and consumers.

Business Wire electronically disseminates some 1,000 full-text news releases daily to the media, the Internet, online services and databases, and the global investment community in 150 countries in 45 languages. Business Wire has 24 U.S. offices, Paris, Frankfurt, London, Brussels, Tokyo and Sydney offices, and reciprocal offices throughout the world.