February 11, 2005

Pakistan's very first B2B portal, the "Industrial Information Network" (IIN) is ready to be launched in the month of March. The IIN, a Rs 40 million joint project of the Ministry of Information, Technology Telecommunications and Ministry of Industries & Production, is a brainchild of UNIDO and is designed to provide a unique trading exchange where businesses from Pakistan as well as around the world can post their queries as well as offerings, to find new buyers and sellers.

In addition, IIN would offer Pakistani businesses a platform to maintain E-shops where they can develop and maintain product catalogues to be presented to the interested buyers instantly. "The project would initially focus on textile and leather sectors with more sectors to be added later," said Salman Khalid, the project director.

He further told the Daily Times that chief executive officer SMEDA, Shahab Khawaja, had inaugurated the project last year in March when the ministry of ITT allocated Rs 40 million for a period of three years to achieve the initial targets. Rooma Para, the content manager, said the project team of seven members have finalized the content of the portal and is all set to launch its first release next month.

The services to be offered by the IIN include:

B2B services, eMarketing, information on markets, trade leads, product catalogues, company directories, e-business in Pakistan, e-commerce facilities, e-banking, textile industry, leather industry, raw material sourcing, industrial machinery information, financing information, project financing information, credit information, types of business loans, procedures to get loans, loan forms, procedures of writing loan proposal and to review loan proposal.

Also included are: government rules and regulations particularly sector specific, benefits, tax holidays, trade fair information, trade fair calendar, visa details, currency conversion, hotel information, business opportunities, sector briefs, pre-feasibilities, registration procedures, imports/exports information, import/export directories and procedures, rebate details, WTO/NAFTA bound tariffs database, export zones info, list of local trade and industry, associations, banks, agencies etc., overseas trade organisations and associations, certification information, business management, general administration forms, business tips and business articles.

Source: Daily Times of Pakistan