The first group of 79 applicants were approved Wednesday as agents linking meteorology departments and users of weather services in Shanghai.
These agents will introduce various meteorology products to users and order weather services on behalf of their clients.
At present, some of the newly approved weather service agents are applying to local authorities for starting weather service agencies.
According to local regulations, a group of five or more certified weather service agents may collectively apply to start a business.
Sheng Jiarong, director of the Shanghai Municipal Meteorology Bureau, said that weather service agents would greatly help in spreading and using meteorological information and further commercializing relevant services.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2002)
