[18th January, 2001 - Hong Kong] iSteelAsia.com Limited ("iSteelAsia.com", HKSE: 8080), the world's leading steel exchange vertical portal, was recognized recently by The Harvard Business School ("HBS") for its effective use of IT and change management, which in turn has helped to transform its business and the industries in which it operates.

The case study was presented during a five-day education program, sponsored by a strategic alliance between The Harvard Business School and Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management. Titled "Managing in the Internet Age," the program was designed for senior executives from companies that make, or are about to make, substantial investments in information technology.

The case developed by The Harvard Business School stated that, iSteelAsia.com is operating a business model that could help improve the efficiency of the Asian steel industry. The vertical portal has led many traditional steel buyers and sellers online.

To commemorate iSteelAsia.com's achievement, Mr. Andrew Yao, Chairman and CEO of iSteelAsia.com, was invited as a guest speaker.

"We feel extremely encouraged for the affirmative valuation of our vertical portal by HBS, a recognized authority in e-Commerce strategy. These studies provide a promising vote of confidence in our business model, and help to reassure our investors and shareholders that we are really moving on the right track to e-Commerce success," Yao said.

Over 100 attendees participated the event, of which many are top management of emerging e-Commerce companies and traditional enterprises expanding their e-Commerce arms. iSteelAsia.com was the only B2B vertical portal quoted by HBS, as successful example in the programme. Other speakers came from Alibaba.com, Drugstore.com, Cisco Systems, China Netcom, etc.

Corporate Information
Launched in December 1999, iSteelAsia.com Limited ("iSteelAsia.com") was Asia's first online exchange for trading in steel and steel products. It is the first of its kind to be listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange's GEM board in April 2000. Focused on the Asian steel community, iSteelAsia.com aims to offer an open and neutral marketplace for steel trading. Trading competitiveness and efficiency are optimized on iSteelAsia.com as players can access a full spectrum of buyers and sellers and timely market knowledge. iSteelAsia.com serves as a single point of contact offering financing, insurance, surveying, shipping and logistics services, providing members with a one-stop end-to-end steel trading.

To date, iSteelAsia.com has approximately 3,000 registered members who regularly use its online trading services and access into its online Reuters and Asian Information Resources Limited. For details, please visit: www.isteelasia.com

Issued by OCCASIONS Corporate & Financial Communications Limited for and on behalf of iSteelAsia.com Limited. For further information, please contact:

iSteelAsia.com Limited
Ms. Betty Jane Leon
Senior Marketing Manager
c/o OCCASIONS Corporate & Financial Communications Limited Tel: 2801-5333 Fax: 2801-5323

OCCASIONS Corporate & Financial Communications Limited Mr. Allen Tong / Ms. Vijo Lee
Tel: 2801-5333 Fax: 2801-5323
E-mail: allen@occasions.com.hk / vijo.lee@occasions.com.hk

This press release can be downloaded from the website of OCCASIONS: www.occasions.com.hk