CHICAGO, Dec. 16, 2011 -- Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney today welcomed the World Trade Organization’s Ministerial Conference decision to invite Russia to join the WTO, with membership expected to be finalized by June of next year.

“Russia is one of the world’s major economies—and the largest that’s not yet part of the WTO—so this is welcome news for the global economy, and especially for citizens of the United States and Russia. Russia is an important trading partner for Boeing and other U.S. exporters, and we’re excited about the prospects for increased trade and jobs, and enhanced global cooperation,” said McNerney.  “Russian airlines have become valued customers of Boeing products, purchasing 147 commercial airplanes from us in the past 10 years. The Boeing Design Center in Moscow and our titanium parts production joint venture with Russian Technologies, Ural Boeing Manufacturing, are powerful examples of U.S. and Russia economic partnership. We see Russia’s membership in the WTO as a win-win for both of our countries,” he said.

Contact: John Dern, 312 544 2002