iSTEELASIA.COM ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF NEW
PLATFORM BASED ON Intel® Architecture
TO SUPPORT BUSINESS EXPANSION

Hong Kong - September 21, 2000 - iSteelAsia.com (iSteelAsia, HKSE:8080), one of the world's leading steel exchange vertical portals (vortal), today announced the launch of a leading-edge technology platform supported by Intel® architecture as the foundation for its continued business expansion.

As the first steel trading exchange in Asia with cutting-edge e-commerce technology and strong management, iSteelAsia has established itself as an industry leader in Asia. In line with its "Global vision, Asian focus" business strategy, iSteelAsia has committed various business projects which will enhance its membership base and increase online transactions. To support the business growth and the provision of a growing range of value-added i-fulfillment services including trading finance, insurance, shipping and surveying, a next-phase platform expansion is required.

To meet the increasing demands of its business expansion iSteelAsia.com has undergone a second-phase enhancement of its server and technology platform based on Intel Corporation's Intel® architecture. An enhanced and robust server platform has been developed utilizing high-performance Intel Pentium® III Xeon™ dual processor-based Dell 4450 servers and Apache open-source applications*.

By working with Scient, the leading eBusiness Systems Innovator, the new platform is at the forefront of technology and complexity. iSteelAsia's newly enhanced trading platform is one of the first exchanges built on an open source operating platform.

"We are delighted to be working with Intel, a leader in the Internet infrastructure and services industry and with Scient, the world-renowned e-enabler, combining their leading-edge technology expertise to develop the platform for the dominant online steel trading network in Asia," said Mr Andrew Yao, Chairman and CEO of iSteelAsia.com.

"With the gearing up of membership and transaction volume, and the upcoming i-Fulfillment services to be launched in early October, we have now reached a critical next-phase in our business development, requiring a scaleable, robust and cost-effective architecture to embrace more user-friendly functionalities and which can integrate effectively with various value-added services platforms.

"We have once again turned to Intel architecture-based applications and solutions to meet our needs and we are very glad that Scient is providing its innovative e-business solutions. iSteelAsia.com has a world-class secured platform and services for the entire steel trade ecosystem," he said.

"In today's world, the speed, scale and scope of the Internet are synonymous with innovation itself. Nothing is faster than Intel architecture-based servers and nothing provides greater economies-of-scale or scope of expertise than the horizontal industry. By providing technology building blocks for the Internet economy with servers, network infrastructure, solutions and services Intel is empowering customers with Internet e-business opportunities,." said John Davies, vice president and director of Intel Architecture Solutions Channels Group.

"We are delighted that iSteelAsia.com has looked to integrate the latest leading-edge Intel products with their existing service offerings to create an even stronger e-Business platform for their growing business needs."

Said Mr Ed Nazarko, vice president, Asia, Scient: "We are pleased to have helped the launch of iSteelAsia's newly enhanced platform. iSteelAsia's eBusiness is truly at the forefront of technological complexity and innovation, and we are proud to have built the new system and helped iSteelAsia evolve their business. While most exchanges handle two to three variables in the negotiation process, the system Scient built for iSteelAsia handles over twenty. The open platform system which is supported by its multilingual and multi-currency functions is also one of the first launched worldwide."

About iSteelAsia.com Limited
Launched in December 1999, iSteelAsia.com (iSteelAsia) 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 aims to offer an open and neutral marketplace for steel trading. Trading competitiveness and efficiency are optimised on iSteelAsia as players can access a full spectrum of buyers and sellers and timely market knowledge. iSteelAsia 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 has over 2,600 registered members who regularly use its online trading services and access into its online Reuters and Asia Information Resources News.

About Intel
Intel Semiconductor Ltd, Intel's Asia Pacific headquarters in Hong Kong, sells and markets microprocessors, platforms and communications products in Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, People's Republic of China (including Hong Kong, SAR), Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

The company has world-class test and assembly plants in Penang and Kulim, Malaysia, Makati and Cavite, Philippines, and Shanghai, PRC; a chip design centre in Penang, Malaysia; a Research Centre and a Wireless Competence Centre in Beijing, PRC; a software development lab in Shanghai, PRC; and a Technology Centre in Bangalore, India, to provide technology tools and support to the growing software/IT industry.

Intel, the world's largest chip maker, is also a leading manufacturer of personal computer, networking, and communications products. Additional information is available at http://www.intel.com.

About Scient: The eBusiness Systems Innovator™

Scient is the premier firm in systems innovation. Scient delivers electronic businesses to create unassailable market positions for clients. Scient provides:

• eBusiness strategy.
• eBusinesses that are rapidly architected, engineered, and delivered.
• Just-in-time innovations that enhance and extend eBusinesses.

Headquartered in San Francisco with offices in New York, Dallas, Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Jersey, Silicon Valley, London, Munich, Paris and Singapore. Scient can be reached at www.scient.com or 65/331-0730.

* (Third party marks and brands are property of their respective holders.)