[LETTERHEAD OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN] Exhibit 16.1 April 2, 2001 Office of the Chief Accountant Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20549 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have read the section entitled "Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure" included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of SMTC Corporation (Formerly HTM Holdings, Inc.) to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and are in agreement with the statements contained therein. Very truly yours, /s/ Arthur Anderson LLP