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.