A local e-commerce association is launching a series of campaigns to promote the city's online business, as the outbreak of SARS has actually boosted online trade volume and officials hope to maintain the momentum when the epidemic wanes in the city.
Shanghai Electronic Commerce Association yesterday introduced the first patch of 50 Websites which people can access to enjoy shopping, gaming and education online. It also promotes five e-commerce Websites - auction site eachnet.com; travel service provider ctrip.com; online chemical market sccn.com.cn; iron and steel exchange bsteel.com and machinery trading center shmec.com.cn.
"Each of these Websites has a profitable business model and is reporting huge revenue. We hope more companies can learn from their experiences and develop Shanghai's e-commerce more efficiently," said Zhang Shiyong, president of the association.
The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome has fueled the business of local e-commerce. Between April 21 and 25, bsteel.com reported an online trading volume of 5,000 tons, compared with February's volume of 700 tons.
Last year, more than 100 local e-commerce firms earned combined revenues of 25.39 billion yuan (US$3.06 billion), a soaring 80.2 percent gain from more than a year ago.
(Shanghai Daily June 3, 2003)
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