WEB BRIEFINGS: Global trading portal set for SAR, China

<p>Cutting edge business-to-business Internet trading is becoming a </p><p>reality for the mainland, sparked by the partnership of i-Cable </p><p>Communications Limited with six Hong Kong-based conglomerates and US </p><p>firm Commerce One. The resulting alliance is set to spawn a B2B portal </p><p>for exchanging goods and services among global businesses, spurred on by </p><p>Commerce One's ecommerce solution provider status alongside its </p><p>ownership of Global Trading Web, the world's largest trading community. </p><p>When built, the portal will anchor Global Trading Web's SAR and China </p><p>hub, providing B2B trading opportunities for many industries ranging </p><p>from aviation, automotive supply chain, computer and components, to </p><p>fixed and wireless telecommunications and retail. The JV partners - </p><p>which include i-Cable subsidiary i-Cable Ventures, Beijing Enterprises, </p><p>Jardine Internet, New World China Enterprises Projects, SUNeVision, </p><p>Swire Net Ventures and W1 Harper Group - aim to build domain-specific </p><p>vertical trade hubs which link current suppliers and buyers. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Aside from pouring an initial investment of US$40 million into </p><p>portal development, the site is set for a July 2000 launch. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>

Cutting edge business-to-business Internet trading is becoming a

reality for the mainland, sparked by the partnership of i-Cable

Communications Limited with six Hong Kong-based conglomerates and US

firm Commerce One. The resulting alliance is set to spawn a B2B portal

for exchanging goods and services among global businesses, spurred on by

Commerce One's ecommerce solution provider status alongside its

ownership of Global Trading Web, the world's largest trading community.

When built, the portal will anchor Global Trading Web's SAR and China

hub, providing B2B trading opportunities for many industries ranging

from aviation, automotive supply chain, computer and components, to

fixed and wireless telecommunications and retail. The JV partners -

which include i-Cable subsidiary i-Cable Ventures, Beijing Enterprises,

Jardine Internet, New World China Enterprises Projects, SUNeVision,

Swire Net Ventures and W1 Harper Group - aim to build domain-specific

vertical trade hubs which link current suppliers and buyers.



Aside from pouring an initial investment of US$40 million into

portal development, the site is set for a July 2000 launch.