The following letter of invitation to the Symposium was
sent by Ronald H. Brown, the Secretary of Commerce of
the United States of America, to trade ministers around the
world:



    "On behalf of President Clinton and the American
people, I invite you to the United States of America for the
United Nations International Symposium on Trade
Efficiency.  We are pleased to host this unprecedented
event, which brings together trade ministers and senior
officials from the United Nations Conference on Trade and
Development's (UNCTAD) member states to discuss the
uses of information technology to create and stimulate
streamlining and greater trade efficiency.

    Building global information highways for trade will
accomplish two universal goals:

    Small- and medium-sized enterprises will be able to
    compete both in broader domestic markets and in the
    growing global marketplace.  These enterprises are
    the 'lifeblood' of all our economies, employing
    millions of citizens and providing a significant share
    of our economic growth.

    Trade costs can be lowered, creating new economic
    opportunities.  Using telecommunications and
    improved systems, we can save billions in costs,
    expand and open trade and build toward world-wide
    prosperity.

I look forward to welcoming you to Columbus, Ohio on
October 19, 1994.

                            Ronald H. Brown"