dic.08.2005

BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago is the official (title) sponsor of the Trinidad and Tobago Team that will be attending the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne from March 15th -26th, 2006.

As a result of the sponsorship, the sum of US $100,000 will go towards the team while an additional US $25,000 will be spent on developing sporting programmes for young athletes in the company’s operating communities of Guayaguayare, Mayaro, Tobago and Toco.

Vincent Pereira, President of BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago stated that “the company’s sponsorship of the Trinidad and Tobago team for the Commonwealth Games which is being held in the city where our headquarters are located - Melbourne, Australia is a wonderful show of support for games with a long and respected tradition. Additionally, our decision to sponsor the Trinidad and Tobago 2006 Commonwealth Games Team, is a tremendous decision which will both assist the team and future athletes from the communities in which we operate in Trinidad and Tobago”.

Larry Romany, President of the Olympic Committee, commented, “We are delighted that BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago has decided to be the major sponsor for our team going to the Commonwealth Games in Australia next year. We are also excited about the sport development programmes which, through this sponsorship, will be implemented in BHP Billiton’s targeted communities of Mayaro/Guayaguayare, Toco and Tobago. This is a tremendous opportunity for our team and our country”.

BHP Billiton Trinidad and Tobago is pleased to be associated with the Trinidad and Tobago 2006 Commonwealth Games Team and remains committed to education, entrepreneurship and environmental programmes that benefit the communities in which we operate.

This follows the December 5 2005 announcement by BHP Billiton that the company will offer support to ten Commonwealth countries as part of a sponsorship programme being initiated in conjunction with the Commonwealth Games Federation and as announced by the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games organizing committee.