In Washington, D.C.:
Rebecca Ong
Phone: (202) 458-0434
E-mail: rong@worldbank.org


WASHINGTON, D.C., October 16, 2008—Media representatives are invited to attend the virtual launch of the Doing Business 2009 report.

For the second time, the World Bank and IFC will launch the Doing Business 2009 report to the global digital community in Second Life. Dahlia Khalifa, spokesperson for the report, will present findings and take questions from participants during the event. The virtual launch will take place over three days in Second Life.

The World Bank and IFC hope to use Second Life to reach business owners, investors, aid donors, and other people interested in promoting reform. The event will be an open forum where the public and policymakers from around the world can ask questions, challenge the findings, and contribute to a global business dialogue aimed at stimulating business regulatory reforms that give business more business more opportunity to grow and create jobs.

Press Briefing in Second Life
DATE:    Tuesday, October 28, 2008
PLACE:  Second Life, This Second Island
TIME:     3pm EST (12am PST/ Second Life Time)

Pre-launch Networking and Live Musical Event in Second Life
DATE:    Wednesday, October 29, 2008
PLACE:  Second Life, This Second Island
TIME:     4pm EST (1pm PST/ Second Life Time)

Virtual Launch in Second Life
DATE:   Thursday, October 30, 2008
PLACE: Second Life, This Second Island
TIME:    5pm EST (2pm PST/ Second Life Time) 11am EST (8am PST/ Second Life Time)
              2pm EST (11am PST/ Second Life Time)


INFORMATION: Rebecca Ong
AND RSVP          (202) 458-0434
                                (202) 651-1390

About Doing Business
Doing Business ranks economies based on 10 indicators of business regulation that record the time and cost to meet government requirements in starting and operating a business, trading across borders, paying taxes, and closing a business. Visit www.doingbusiness.org for more information.

About Second Life
Second Life® is a 3-D virtual world created by its users, also known as residents. Since opening to the public in 2003, it has grown tremendously and today is inhabited by millions of residents from around the globe. It offers a platform for communication, business, and education. Besides residents from North America and Europe, more than 1 in 5 residents logs on to the virtual site from Latin America, Asia, or Africa.

The virtual world marketing, design, staffing, and technical elements for these events are provided by This Second Marketing LLC. For more information about the October 30 virtual launch, the October 29 musical performance, and the October 28 press day, visit www.doingbusiness.org.