DIRECTORY LINK: Unicom Yellow Pages, the telephone directory business of China Unicom, is targeting 100 per cent revenue growth after forming a partnership with Pacific Century CyberWorks about 14 months ago.
Huang Dun, senior vice-president and chief operating officer of Unicom Yellow Pages, said: 'Our partnership with PCCW should be considered a relative success. We can work together to develop products and research.'
In November 2000, CyberWorks paid US$25 million for a 37.65 per cent stake in Unicom Yellow Pages, becoming the largest single shareholder. Unicom has a 31 per cent stake and RH Donnelley of the United States has 18 per cent.
Mr Dun said the company recorded turnover of 30 million yuan (about HK$28.64 million) last year, twice the previous year's. It aimed to double revenue again this year and break even.
The main growth drive this year would be from Shanghai, where Unicom Yellow Pages would roll out a similar business model with the official launch of telephone directories.
The company, whose income is 90 per cent from advertising, owned two million verified listings in China, and published more than 600,000 directories. Since Unicom offered free directories in cities like Shenzhen and Guangzhou, many of its competitors such as China Telecom had begun to distribute free directories, Mr Dun said.