Patricia Hewitt (pictured left), Minister for E-Commerce and Small Business, will be visiting the USA next week to exchange ideas on driving forward global e-commerce and responding to the challenges of the developing technologies.

Ms Hewitt said: "The impact of e-commerce and modern technologies on business is global. If the UK is to play a leading role in the knowledge driven economy, we have to be able to co-operate as well as compete.

"The UK is a world leader in mobile telephony and digital television, and we have an estimated two year lead over the USA in these areas. But the USA has traditionally led the way in e-commerce and the use of the internet. Therefore it is crucial that we work together and learn from each other.

"If we are to maintain our lead in the e-revolution, we must continue to look forward and harness new and developing technologies. Things that think and e-science are the next big leap forward. The UK and the USA must both be ready to embrace this exciting future."

During the visit, Ms Hewitt will also meet key players in the USA's small business sector and the Small Business Administration (SBA). David Irwin, the new Chief Executive of the Small Business Service (SBS) will accompany her.

"Small businesses are the lifeblood of the UK economy. Next month sees the launch of the Small Business Service (SBS). The first class support services the SBS will provide will play a major role in building an enterprise society in which all firms can thrive and fulfil their potential. I hope David and I can learn some important lessons when we meet our US counterparts in the SBA," said Ms Hewitt.

Visit some of the places Patricia Hewitt will be seeing:

Center for Innovative Technology in Virginia www.cit.org
Boston Empowerment Center www.cityofboston.com/business
Computer Science and Media Laboratories at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology www.media.mit.edu

Richard Byatt