Bowater Announces New CEO

    Bowater Inc.

Bowater Incorporated (NYSE: BOW) announced today that David J. Paterson has been
appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company effective May 1,
2006. He succeeds Arnold M. Nemirow, who is retiring as Chief Executive Officer
but will remain as non-executive Chairman until later this year.

Since 2003, Mr. Paterson, 51, has been Executive Vice President of
Georgia-Pacific Corporation, in charge of its Building Products Division. He
joined Georgia-Pacific in 1987, and in recent years has been responsible for its
Pulp and Paperboard Division, its Paper and Bleached Board Division and its
Communication Papers Division. Mr. Paterson holds a Bachelor of Science Degree
from the School of Industrial and Labor Relations, Cornell University, and a
Masters in Business Administration from the University of Michigan.

"David brings a vast amount of business experience as well as a successful
record of accomplishments to Bowater. I am confident that he will provide the
strong leadership necessary to further our Company's financial recovery," said
Nemirow.

In January 2006, Mr. Nemirow, 63, announced his intention to retire this year
pending completion of a search for his successor. He joined Bowater in 1994 as
President and Chief Operating Officer, becoming Chief Executive Officer in March
1995, and Chairman in 1996. Prior to joining Bowater, Mr. Nemirow served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Wausau Paper Mills Company after
spending sixteen years with Great Northern Nekoosa Corporation. He began his
career in 1969 with a Wall Street law firm.

Bowater Incorporated, headquartered in Greenville, SC, is a leading producer of
newsprint, coated mechanical, and specialty papers. In addition, the company
makes bleached kraft pulp and lumber products. The company has 12 pulp and paper
mills in the United States, Canada and South Korea and 11 North American
sawmills that produce softwood lumber. Bowater also operates two facilities that
convert a mechanical base sheet to coated products. Bowater's operations are
supported by approximately 1.4 million acres of timberlands owned or leased in
the United States and Canada and 29 million acres of timber cutting rights in
Canada. Bowater is one of the world's largest consumers of recycled newspapers
and magazines. Bowater common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and
the Pacific Exchange. A special class of stock exchangeable into Bowater common
stock is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: BWX).

    CONTACT: Bowater Incorporated
             Media Contact:
             Gordon R. Manuel, 864-282-9448
             or
             Analyst Contact:
             Duane A. Owens, 864-282-9488