The world's leading B2B portal, Global Sources (Nasdaq: GSOL), will launch a new Chinese-language site called China Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com.cn) in October. The new website is designed to drive new business for companies engaged in China domestic trade and for overseas firms intent on selling into China.

 

Global Sources' Chairman and CEO, Merle A. Hinrichs, said: "Launching China Global Sources Online is the next step in our expansion into China's domestic B2B market.  Our strategy is to launch new online, print and trade show channels to serve our existing or related industry segments.

 

"This launch will complement our upcoming Shanghai China Sourcing Fairs in December.  Likewise, it will further extend our support of China's high-tech electronics sector, which we currently serve with a suite of industry-leading Chinese-language magazines, websites and events.

 

"Our aim is to leverage our brands, content, advertisers, sales, infrastructure, expertise and community to ramp this up quickly -- and to maintain the quality standards for which Global Sources is recognized," Hinrichs said.

 

Content on China Global Sources Online will be initially offered free of charge to existing export suppliers who are also engaged in domestic trade.  Products on the site will be different from those on export-focused Global Sources Online, as products in demand in the China domestic market often differ from those offered to overseas markets.

 

Hinrichs stressed the importance of supplier qualification. "The Internet today is crowded with questionable information from questionable suppliers.

 

"Buyers trust Global Sources because our suppliers have been carefully verified through personal visits from our team of professionals.  China Global Sources Online will extend this level of professionalism to China's domestic market."

 

Growing China Prosperity, Growing Consumer Demand Support Offering

 

Hinrichs said: "As China's consumers become more prosperous, and competition for their business intensifies, China-focused retailers, wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers are being driven to offer more variety and higher quality products.

 

"The suppliers in our community are experienced exporters -- well versed in meeting the quality, price and service requirements of demanding overseas markets. We expect many of our suppliers to use China Global Sources Online to help them effectively leverage their international expertise into a domestic competitive advantage."

(China.org.cn August 8, 2007)