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SCMP Reporter

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council is aggressively promoting electronic commerce through its new Web site - TDC-Link.

 The site allows users to access databases of local and overseas companies.

 'TDC-Link on the Internet was launched to encourage more and more traders to use computers to do business,' Katherine Lo, manager of trade inquiries, was quoted as saying by Shippers Today.

 The 24-hour TDC-Link service has graphics and interactive, user-friendly capabilities. A free trial yields lists of companies that can be downloaded without charge, prior to subscription.

 'A search of the business opportunities database, for example, would give the user names of business entities that have filed product inquiries at our TDC overseas office,' Ms Lo said.

 TDC-Link has a 7,000-entry database of service providers divided into 26 sectors, including transport (air, road and sea) and shipping industries.

 To obtain an entry in the database, which is free, a service provider has only to fill in a form and submit it to the TDC.

 Ms Lo said the TDC wanted more people to use computers to search for business contacts and opportunities.

 The TDC provides databases of local and overseas companies, including those in China and Taiwan, and trade information published in its Hong Kong Enterprise Magazine.

 However, overseas users can access only Hong Kong companies.

 Besides TDC-Link, the TDC has another Web site which has been around for over a year.

 Clare Wong, TDC manager for marketing and customer service, said TDC-Link's 'electronic marketplace' comprised the largest database of business contacts in Asia.

 A powerful search engine allows subscribers to quickly browse business contacts by country, business nature and product/service category.

 'Our database also provides access to recent trade inquiries received by the council. You can contact them immediately while they are actively sourcing and ready to make purchasing decisions,' Ms Wong said.

 According to the TDC, the TDC-Link has been around since 1991 in a different form. It was introduced then as a DOS-based system and subscribers linked up to it with a data modem.

 It had about 6,000 subscribers by the time it shifted to its present Windows environment and was rolled out on the Web.

 The site, which was launched on January 8, can be found at http://tdclink. tdc.org.hk.



TDC bids to promote electronic commerce