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>