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[October 2000]
Boost For West Midlands E-Conomy
Businesses and other organisations across the West Midlands region (UK) will be able to reap the benefits of the e-Commerce revolution when an innovative new electronic partnership is launched next month.
'2WestMidlands' is an Internet-based project designed to help regional companies conduct business on-line more easily, share best practice more readily and save money.
It is the brainchild of Advantage West Midlands - the development agency for the region - BT and Coventry University Enterprise Ltd, and is believed to be the first interactive site of its kind in the country.
It brings together the latest in information and communications technology (ICT) to benefit companies and communities throughout the counties of the West Midlands.
The project - which will be launched by the Government's e-Envoy, Alex Allan - is being developed through a web-based system known as an 'e-portal'.
This effectively provides an electronic gateway to a central source of information, specially tailored to meet the needs of small and medium- sized businesses (SMEs) across the region.
The creation of a purpose-built e-portal will mean that for the first time everything companies need to know about e-commerce will be brought together under one electronic roof, in a comprehensive, easy-to- use site, designed to take the agony out of doing business on-line.
This will include useful information about trading on-line, as well as direct links to local business support agencies, environmental agencies and training centres.
Advantage West Midlands will have a strong presence on the e-portal, giving the latest information about economic policy and strategy, as well as giving inward investment services a new opportunity to promote and market regional aims at a national and international level.
The system will also provide a database of all on-going ICT projects and services which might be of interest to SMEs in the region.
Initially, 2WestMidlands will focus on the eight priority business sectors identified in the West Midlands Economic Strategy - engineering, creative industries, medical technologies, engineering design, ceramics, automotive, food and drink, and tourism and leisure.
Within each sector, the e-portal will develop 'virtual' communities, made up of organisations with common interests. Members of these groups will in turn be able to access 'chat forums',' job boards', 'trade and tender' rooms, as well as the latest news and events tailored specifically to their area of work.
For more information go to: www.2westmidlands.com
ENDS