To, The International Trade Institute of Southern Africa Rivonia, 2128 P.O.Box No.

2475, South Africa Sub: Future plans of IATTO Dear IATTO Members, As a new chairman I would like to take this opportunity to give you some insights into my vision for IATTO. I am enclosing a small brochure on ITRSA. Although IATTO has small membership base, it consists of members with an enviable reputation. IATTO members have a reputation of providing ongoing support not only to the business communities of their own country but also to other countries in their international trade endeavors. Members of IATTO in developing countries have improved domestic economies by enhancing trade competencies amongst the business practitioners they serve. Some of the steps taken to improve the international competitiveness and trading prowess are innovative banks, energetic trade promotion organizations etc. With such a strong foundation, I believe it is time for IATTO to play a much more prominent role in enhancing the trade potential and capability of world at large. The organization describes itself as the world business organization. Its aim is to promote an open international trade, investment system and market economy worldwide. Also to make rules those govern the conduct of business across borders, that provide essential services and support international business endeavors. ICC has consultative status at the highest level with the UN and its specialized agencies. It is also consulted by both international and regional organizations whenever decisions have to be made on global issues of importance of business. During its 80 years of existence, the ICC has concerned itself with the establishment of standards in a wide variety of business fields, such as, financial services, information technologies, telecommunications, marketing, environment, transportation etc. ICC currently has thousands of member companies in over 130 countries where it represents national committees.ICC is the originator and/or facilitator of international standards covering methods of payment for international transactions, terms of delivery, customs procedure, contracts of sale, agency distributorship and franchising, electronic commerce to name a few. Despite this, historically ICC has not concerned itself with international trade education, but currently it is in the process of developing CD Rom based documentary for training credit practitioners. This presents an opportunity for IATTO, whose members are focused on conveying the recommendations of ICC, through trade courses to trade practitioners. However, a certain amount of organizational restructuring has to be done for IATTO to work alongside ICC and which the IATTO Board will be addressing in the forthcoming months. The approval of the membership body is a must for any change to be implemented and hence, sufficient time has been has been set-aside at the next conference to provide you with all the details and to enable a thorough discussion. It is also our intention that ICC representatives will also be there to cover the ICC perspective on the possible future collaboration with IATTO. Members, majority of which are located in or near Europe, chose Finland as the venue of the conference to ensure maximum

participation. Having the experience of organizing conferences, it is necessary for the conference organizers to have ample lead time in order to stage an effective conference. Thus, I appeal to all the members interested in hosting a conference within the next three years to contact me. I hope to keep you informed on various IATTO issues. In addition if you have not already dispatched two sets of your organizations publicity and promotional material to me. For any further information please contact the undersigned. Kind regards,

IATTO Chairperson itrisa@icon.co.za