U.S. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY TRADE MISSION TO LATIN AMERICA, OCTOBER 18 -- 31, 1998. The U.S. Department of Commerce invites you and your company to join the U.S. Information Technology Trade Mission to Latin America, October 18 -- 31, 1998. The trade mission will visit the rapidly growing Information Technology (IT) markets of Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Caracas, Venezuela. Don't miss your chance to be part of the first U.S. Department of Commerce trade mission to Latin America that is entirely focused on IT and tailored for American IT business people. The Latin American market is expected to continue to be the most rapidly expanding information technology market in the world throughout 1998. The IT markets of Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela alone reached more than $14.1 billion in 1997. This total is expected to reach $25 billion by 2001. Brazil's computer hardware, software and services market is the largest in Latin America, accounting for over 45 percent of the regional market in 1997. Argentina and Venezuela both have vibrant markets, with Argentina's IT market valued at $2.4 billion in 1997 and Venezuela's reaching over $950 million. Additionally, Latin America is braced for rapid expansion of the Internet as users are expected to increase from approximately seven million in 1997 to an anticipated 34 million users within the next two years. Opportunities abound for U.S. information technology companies seeking to position themselves to take advantage of the continuing expansion of the Latin American market. The trade mission will include 2-full days of business activities at each of the stops, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Caracas. The participation fee for all four cities is only $4,300 and allows for one to two company representatives to participate. Options to go to fewer cities are available. Airfare, lodging, meals and interpreters in some of the cities are not included in the participation fee. However, if needed, we will provide you with assistance in making your flight, hotel, and visa arrangements. The trade mission is designed to bring you together with key decision-makers in the computer markets of Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Caracas. In each of the cities you will have prearranged individualized business meetings with appropriate local contacts. The entire mission is tailored to meet your business goals. Trade missions offer you an effective and efficient way to enter a new foreign market. They can also help expand your presence in a market you are already in. Participation in a mission allows you to hit the ground running. There is no calling or soliciting of partners on your part. The preparation and scheduling are done prior to your arrival. All you have to do is register to participate and we do the rest. Participants of past computer missions are unanimous in saying that missions are a success, well worth the time and investment they put into them. Trade missions afford participants access to high-level decision makers who are often difficult to otherwise reach. For more information and an application package, contact Daniel Valverde at 202-482-0573 (phone), 202-482-0952 (fax), or daniel_valverde@ ita.doc.gov (E-mail). The deadline to apply is August 14, 1998. WEB: Click here to view information on this trade mission, http://infoserv2.ita.doc.gov/ocbe/ocbehome.nsf. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Project Manager, daniel_valverde@ita.doc.gov.

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