France-based Kompass International has recently established a franchise in Hong Kong to set up a local suppliers directory, which will form part of its global product-sourcing database. Kompass' directories of more than 1.5 million companies in 80 countries have been sold in the SAR for years, but it did not have a directory featuring local companies, as a suitable franchisee had not been found. David Edwards, managing director of the Hong Kong franchise, which was formed in June, said the company's franchises in the mainland and Singapore had been in existence for more than 10 years. He said setting up the database involved an large amount of company interviews and data collection. An initial $5 million investment in the franchise was expected to see returns in three years. The company plans to publish its Hong Kong directory in CD-ROM and print formats in July and September next year. SAR data will be available on the company's Web site this November. It aims to recruit 10,000 companies to be listed on its Hong Kong database this year. Recently, as part of its business-to-business Web site, Cable & Wireless HKT has included an online directory in co-operation with its subsidiary Telephone Directory and US-based RWI Interactive Service. However, according to Craig Pepples of Asian Sources, only a few providers will meet the needs of today's demanding buyers. 'Naturally, one can expect many more such Web sites to be set up,' he said. 'However, as international trade has really become a buyers' market nowadays, the depth of information of your site must satisfy the needs of the buyers.' He said that, while some Internet sites boasted access to a large number of companies, some would have difficulty attracting interest from large buyers who wanted in-depth information. 'I believe that, in the future, buyers will want to have all the information they need to make purchasing decisions online, such as product specification, materials components, shipping port, factory and equipment information.' FRANCHISES
