2 Forward-Looking Statements Statements in this presentation that are not reported financial results or other historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. They include, for example, statements about our current liquidity situation and proposed financing plans to address it, industry conditions and trends, our planned reduction of newsprint and commercial printing papers capacity, the closures of certain of our paper and sawmills, our ability to realize synergies from the combination of Abitibi-Consolidated Inc. and Bowater Incorporated, the anticipated timing of and the progress of integration efforts related to the combination, our ability to meet our $1 billion debt reduction target (including the success of our program to sell non-core assets, consolidate operations and the success of other actions aimed at reducing our debt), the continued growth of our international newsprint position, our competitive position, our ability to maintain and improve customer service levels, our financial performance, and our business outlook, strategies and assessment of market conditions. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as the words “will”, “could”, “may,” “intend,” “expect ”, “believe ”, “anticipate ”, and other terms with similar meaning indicating possible future events or actions or potential impact on the business or security holders of AbitibiBowater. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance. They are based on management's assumptions, beliefs and expectations, all of which involve a number of business risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, our ability to complete a series of financing transactions that are contingent upon one another, the current state of the credit markets, an in ability to reduce newsprint and commercial printing capacity as quickly as anticipated, an inability to obtain timely contributions to our cost-reduction initiatives from our unionized and salaried employees, the continued strength of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, worsening industry conditions and further growth in alternative media, actions of competitors, the demand for higher margin coated and uncoated mechanical paper, our ability to realize announced price increases, and the costs of raw materials such as fiber, energy, and chemicals. In addition, with respect to forward-looking statements relating to the combination of Abitibi-Consolidated and Bowater, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or that the anticipated improved financial performance, product quality and product development will not be achieved; the risk that other combinations within the industry or other factors may limit our ability to improve our competitive position; the risk that the cost savings and other expected synergies from the transaction may not be fully realized, or may take longer to realize than expected and may not benefit Abitibi and Bowater to the same or similar extent; and disruption from the transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers. Additional factors are listed from time to time in AbitibiBowater’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, including those factors contained in the company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2007 and the company’s registration statement on Form S-3 filed on October 29, 2007, under the caption “Risk Factors.” All forward-looking statements in this news release are expressly qualified by information contained in the company’ s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. AbitibiBowater undertakes no any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Any information about industry or general economic conditions contained in this news release is derived from third-party sources that the company believes are widely accepted and accurate; however, the company has not independently verified this information and cannot assure its accuracy. |