AUSTRALIA PC IT '98 -- USA VIDEO/CATALOG SHOWCASE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, MARCH 3-6, 1998 The U.S. Department of Commerce is inviting U.S. firms to participate in Australia's PC IT 98, the country's largest computer trade show, taking place in Sydney from March 3 -- 6, 1998. Over 20 U.S. computer hardware, software, and networking companies are expected to participate in the USA Video/Catalog Showcase, with several more exhibiting in the USA Pavilion. The USA Video/Catalog Showcase is a low-cost way for a company to introduce its products to potential agents, distributors, dealers, joint-venture partners and buyers. Department of Commerce industry specialists will be at the show in Sydney to represent companies, hand out product literature, and gather a list of customized trade leads for participants. U.S. companies interested in personally participating in Australia PC 98 may reserve individual booth space as exhibitors in the USA Pavilion and take advantage of the significant publicity and attention this official U.S. Government event will generate. The show organizer, AustralianExhibition Services, expects over 50,000 visitors from all over Australia, and exhibitors representing more than 45 countries. The bulk of the attendees are from the government, education, and small- to medium-sized enterprises engaged in computer trade, manufacturing, banking, finance, and insurance. Australia's location in Asia, the fastest growing economic region in the world, makes it an important market for U.S. computer equipment and software firms. Currently, the market is valued US$7.3 billion and is expected to grow 33 percent, reaching US$9.7 billion by the year 2000. Australia's Internet boom has created excellent sales prospects for U.S. firms offering network system and management solutions for customers in niche markets. Additionally, the demand for sophisticated firewalls and encryption techniques should grow as security becomes a greater issue. These are merely a few examples of the business opportunities awaiting U.S. firms in the Australian computer market. Australia PC 98 is an excellent way for U.S. companies to gain substantial market exposure and obtain valuable trade leads that will generate future business. For more information, contact Tim Miles or Vera A. Swann at the Commerce Department in Washington, D.C. Interested companies should request a participation kit as soon as possible. tel: (202) 482-2990 Tim Miles (202) 482-0396 Vera A. Swann fax: (202) 482-0952 e-mail: timothy_miles@ita.doc.gov vera_swann@ita.doc.gov WEB: Trade Events, http://infoserv2.ita.doc.gov/ocbe/ocbehome.nsf. E-MAIL: Australia PC '98 USA Video/Catalog Showcase, timothy_miles@ita.doc.gov, vera_swann@ita.doc.gov.

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0445 19971126\SP-0008.MSC)