We are launching a one-window cyber marketplace called hkenterprise.com, bringing together all of TDC's online marketing and partnering services. Located on our portal platform tdctrade.com, hkenterprise.com is a direct marketing tool for companies to promote their products and services to global audiences, as well as to find new business partners online. Under its umbrella will come the following features:

• Sourcing Guide - complete online sourcing for products, services and brands from 100,000 Hong Kong companies
  
• Business Contacts - online access to TDC's unique database of 500,000 overseas and mainland companies
  
• Trade Fairs - an instant gateway to information and special customer services regarding TDC's international fairs
  
• Business Matching - an Internet-based matching service for finding and meeting business partners in cyberspace

After trials in 2001/02, we are ready to launch new approaches to TDC's traditional matchmaking role. Upgraded business matching will provide in-depth information and customised assistance to bring Hong Kong companies together with potential partners overseas and in the mainland. With an emphasis on adding value, this service goes beyond providing leads for simple buy-sell trade transactions, which can now be done effectively and efficiently online through hkenterprise.com. It will focus on more complex interactions, such as joint ventures, agency deals and distributorships, and licensing and partnerships.

TDC's Branch Offices will add value by targeting and short- listing overseas and mainland companies of possible interest, then making the initial contact. At the further end of the matching spectrum, where actual investment deals are brokered, we have in a place a seamless, user-friendly mechanism to refer potential partners to Government's investment promotion agency, Invest Hong Kong and other relevant parties.

Early in 2002 we are opening an SME Business Development Centre. Located near our SME Training Centre in the CEC, it is geared to provide concentrated TDC support to local start-ups establishing themselves in international trade. For a period of up to 12 months and a modest monthly rental of HK$2,300, start-ups will have a convenient, modern place to operate with a desk, telephone and fax machine. They will also have ready access to all TDC services, plus our network of internal and external business advisors. Through this SME incubation project, we will be able to test the effectiveness and relevance of our services at different stages in an SME's development. To be offered initially as a limited pilot programme, the SME Business Development Centre initiative has already stirred interest as an innovative process for creating more local businesses and, thus, future sources of employment. The first seven participants have been identified in consultation with industry associations. They will begin moving into the centre from May 2002.

Among the promotional highlights of the incoming year will be TDC's first annual Style Hong Kong exposition of high-end Hong Kong products in Beijing. This will be a flagship event for raising awareness in the mainland of the distinctive quality and creativity of Hong Kong products. In addition to promoting an upmarket image of the SAR, Style Hong Kong will help local SMEs penetrate national distribution channels.

In January 2003 we will introduce World Boutique, Hong Kong, a new annual event to promote fashion and design. Held concurrently with Hong Kong Fashion Week, it will bring together promotion of fashion brands and fashion lifestyle products, such as fashion accessories and costume jewellery. It will also offer a promotional window onto related services, such as styling, fashion photography, fashion publishing, modelling agencies and image promotion.