Emerging Markets Expert Joins APCO's International Advisory Council

Washington, D.C. (December 15, 2008) – Devinda R. Subasinghe, former Sri Lankan ambassador to the United States and Mexico, joins APCO Worldwide’s International Advisory Council (IAC), President and CEO Margery Kraus announced today. He will focus his efforts on building support for APCO’s operations in India.

“Ambassador Subasinghe has been involved in U.S.-Asia relations for more than 30 years and is an expert on emerging markets and foreign policy,” said Kraus. “His deep knowledge of economic reform, private-sector development and foreign investment will be a valuable resource to APCO’s clients.”

Subasinghe, a former development economist and investment banker, worked closely with the United States on a broad range of issues during his term as ambassador, from coordinating emergency assistance for tsunami recovery to generating support for the Sri Lankan peace process. He also deepened bilateral security cooperation to deter terrorist and weapons proliferation threats and broadened the U.S.-Sri Lanka trade partnership.

A former permanent observer to the Organization of the American States, Subasinghe has advised public and private corporations, U.S. government officials and former Sri Lankan presidents and prime ministers on issues related to international economic development. He also served as an advisor at the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. As the founder and former CEO of Asia Insight 21, Subasinghe consulted governments and corporations on trade and investment matters.

“I am excited to join this distinguished team, and I very much look forward to working with APCO colleagues and clients around the world on compelling emerging-market issues,” said Subasinghe.

Subasinghe joins a dynamic group of experts on the IAC, including Lalit Mansingh, former Indian ambassador to the United States and the United Arab Emirates and former Indian high commissioner to the UK and Nigeria; Eugene Lawson, former president and founder of the U.S.-Russia Business Council; Steve Solarz, former U.S. congressman from New York who served on the U.S. House of Representatives International Affairs Committee for 18 years; and Gao Weijie, former chairman of China Ocean Shipping Company America and chairman of the China operation of Lloyd’s Register Asia.

Subasinghe is the president of Bridging Nations, an organization dedicated to the relationship between the United States, India and China. He is an active member of the Marshall Legacy Institute, a mine-clearing organization, and serves on the board of One Laptop Per Child, Sri Lanka, which works to introduce affordable information technology to rural schools.

About APCO Worldwide

Founded in 1984, APCO Worldwide is an award-winning, independently owned global communication consultancy with offices in major cities throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., APCO clients include corporations and governments; industry associations and nonprofit organizations; and seven of the top 10 companies on Fortune’s Global 500. APCO offers services related to business and finance; media, public opinion and society; and government and public policy. The firm is a majority women-owned business. For more information, please visit www.apcoworldwide.com.

About the International Advisory Council

APCO’s International Advisory Council is a dynamic group of former senior members of government, the media, the diplomatic corps, academia, the business community and nonprofit organizations who work hand-in-hand with APCO’s professionals to counsel clients on a broad range of issues.

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Contacts:
Elizabeth Wolf
+202.778.1470
ewolf@apcoworldwide.com

Diana Chow
+852.2866.2313
dchow@apcoworldwide.com