World Bank Group's Investment Information Service Now Features Industry Sector-based News Service From NewsReal

Business Wire, Oct 5, 1998

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 1998--The Investment Promotion Network (IPAnet), the World Bank Group's on-line information clearinghouse for companies engaged in cross-border investment, will now feature IndustryWatch(SM), an industry-sector based news and company information service provided by NewsReal, Inc., under the terms of an agreement announced today at the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings.

About IndustryWatch

NewsReal's IndustryWatch, a business-oriented news and information service covering 20 industry sectors, provides business users with free access to filtered daily news and company background information drawn from hundreds of sources. The IndustryWatch news service includes on-line "Executive Summaries", which help users quickly screen news items for information important to them, as well as "multi-links" to detailed intelligence on the companies featured, such as financial and company overviews, competitors and more. NewsReal's Internet business information products are powered by leading artificial intelligence, natural language summarization and other advanced technologies operating "behind the scenes" to filter and integrate key news and business information for users.

About the Investment Promotion Network (IPAnet)

Developed and operated by the World Bank Group's Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), IPAnet has become a focal point on the World Wide Web for the international investment community, with users from more than 180 countries. Through IPAnet, which is a free service although registration is required, users can access a wealth of country and sector-specific resources, news and events, investment project profiles as well as an on-line directory of international investment organizations and professionals. Now in its third year of operation, IPAnet's databases catalog over 8000 information resources drawn from over 450 investment-related organizations -- providing a growing pool of information on investment conditions, legal and regulatory issues -- as well as over 1600 foreign direct investment opportunities in emerging markets worldwide. Internet Address: http://www.ipanet.net

Commenting on this new service, Karin Millett, General Manager of MIGA's Investment Marketing Services Department, said, "IndustryWatch brings a new and exciting dimension to IPAnet, providing our worldwide audience with the ability to quickly access relevant industry news and company data within the information explosion on the Internet. NewsReal is an ideal complement to IPAnet's extensive databases of country analysis and legal information, furnishing current news and sector-based information through a well-designed user interface."

Peter McKee, Senior Vice President for Business Development at NewsReal, notes, "We are pleased to be able to furnish IPAnet users with the targeted news and business information resources available within IndustryWatch. Through this new partnership with NewsReal, IPAnet is now able to offer the international investment community a more robust package of information services, structured to meet their need for comprehensive country information as well as timely competitive intelligence."

NewsReal is a privately owned company based in Alexandria, VA. Major shareholders include Soros Fund Management and Infoseek. IndustryWatch is also featured on CNNfn, ZDNet, Netscape's NetCenter, AT&T Business Dial Services as well as other major business and consumer Web sites. Further information about NewsReal is available at http://www.newsreal.com

The Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency is a member of the World Bank Group, established to encourage the flow of foreign direct investment to its developing member countries for economic development. MIGA's primary means of facilitating investment are through: (1) the provision of political risk insurance covering the risks of currency transfer, expropriation, and war and civil disturbance, and (2) the provision of programs, dissemination of information on investment opportunities, and technical assistance that enhances national investment promotion capabilities in an increasingly competitive environment. Further information is available at http://www.miga.org/