BT, Cisco, InterForum and Oracle are some of the big names in the ICT world to have announced their participation in e-Business Week 2001.

The week will see five days of activities and events across the country focusing on the benefits of e-business.

Organised by the Information Age Partnership, supporting UK online for business, e-Business Week will run from October 8-12 throughout the UK.

There are currently more than 100 events registered nationwide with 30 taking place across the North-west over the week, including on-line seminars, workshops, networking events and announcements.

For further information on each of the events please visit www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk/ebw.

The aim of the week is to help companies of all sizes and all technological capabilities use e-business better. Jenny Searle, director for UK online for business said: "We're delighted that we have support and involvement from such high-profile companies in the UK. The chance to learn from the likes of BT, Interforum, Oracle and Cisco presents small businesses across the UK with a real opportunity to better their e-business capabilities.

"The involvement and enthusiasm of our key partners is a great endorsement of e-

Business Week and ensures its continued success."

The week was launched by Douglas Alexander, Minister for E-commerce and Competitiveness at the E-Commerce Awards on July 5.

It is part of the Government's ongoing commitment to ensure that UK businesses get to the future first.

Businesses are being encouraged to get involved with e-Business Week, whether hosting or attending an event.

For more information on the week, or on events already registered, visit www.ukonlineforbusiness.org.uk/ebw