Since the Chamber launched its Web site (www.chamber.org.hk) three years ago, it has undergone a number of improvements. Let me now summarize the current features, and don't be surprised if you find new ones when you log on, since we are continually making improvements to the site.

Today, the Chamber Web site has become a business portal, with users being able to pass through to Growasia, Busytrade, Rebound, and TDC for B2B transactions. We also frame selected SAR Government information and tender notices which may be useful for our members.

Starting in December, we launched our online payment service for members to register and pay for Chamber events on our Web site using the latest encryption technology. We often offer a discount for events booked online, and this service is used increasingly by members.

To give new Chamber members more exposure, as well as an Internet presence, we now list all new members almost instantly in the Directory section. We also can host members' Web sites on our site. E1 Media has developed for the Chamber a software program to allow members to update their listing on our online directory as often as they wish. We have also reached an agreement with E1 Media which allows members to create e-catalogs to promote their products or services on our Web site.

Another new addition is an online version of "Chamber in Action," which keeps members up-to-date on what events are taking place in the Chamber. These can range from viewing a stand-alone photo story or transcript of VIP visitors to listening -- using Streaming Audio technology and Real Audio Player -- to speakers of past Chamber events, such as those at the China Business Conference 2000. Now if you miss a Chamber event, you can just click and listen to the proceedings.

A new initiative we plan to launch in mid-May is online education, or e-learning. We have so far joined forces with Learn-on.Net and Pearson Education North Asia to offer members and their staff online education courses, which initially will focus on improving language skills and will expand to other subjects. Now your employees can improve and learn skills from their office.