GOVERNOR ERNIE FLETCHER ANNOUNCES KENTUCKY TO HOST INTERNATIONAL STAINLESS STEEL FORUM IN 2006

Forum will bring 150 of the world's major stainless steel enterprise executives

Frankfort, Ky. - Governor Ernie Fletcher is pleased to announce the Board of Directors of the International Stainless Steel Forum (ISSF) has unanimously decided to celebrate its 10^th Annual Conference in Kentucky in May of 2006.  This decision will be confirmed next May, 2005, at the ISSF General Meeting in Helsinki, Finland.

Governor Fletcher extended the invitation to Victoriano Muņoz, Chairman and CEO of Acerinox and Chairman of the International Stainless Steel Forum to host the 2006 Forum in Kentucky while on an economic development trip to Europe this past September.

"I am thrilled that Senor Muņoz and the Board of International Stainless Steel Forum have decided to bring the conference to the Bluegrass," said Governor Ernie Fletcher.  "Not only will this conference be a tremendous opportunity for international economic development, it will also put Kentucky in the global spotlight.  This exciting announcement reinforces my efforts to create jobs and opportunities for every Kentuckian."

The Annual Conference of the International Stainless Steel Forum, held each year in May, brings together the heads of the world's major stainless steelmaking enterprises and national or regional associations.  ISSF now comprises 56 company and affiliated members in 21 countries representing about 75% of the world's stainless steel production.

"I believe the ISSF Conference presents a unique opportunity for Kentucky to be shown to 150 world leaders of the stainless steel industry, as well as the industry and economic press," stated Victoriano Muņoz, Chairman of the International Stainless Steel Forum.

Previous conferences were held in: Seoul, Korea (1997); Madrid, Spain (1998); Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (1999); Yokohama, Japan (2000); Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2001); Sun City, South Africa (2002); Berlin, Germany (2003); and Seoul, Korea (2004).

The mission of ISSF is to enable stainless steel producers to meet and discuss common issues, to promote the rapid development of the use of stainless steel worldwide, to increase shareholder value and to give the industry a common proactive international voice.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2003 totaled more than $1.56 billion with the creation of just over 13,800 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/.