California Trade Network launched

The California Trade Network: a web portal designed for companies and professionals in California with international business interests, has been launched in San Diego.

An Internet portal designed to help California companies and professionals compete in international markets has been launched in San Diego. The California Trade Network allows members to maintain a simple profile of their international business interests including the industries, countries and languages where they have special experience or expertise. These profiles are used as the basis for a directory that allows users to find members with the same or complementary interests. Eventually, it is expected that this approach will lead to the formation of "virtual interest groups" where members are able to share resources, contacts and opportunities.
    
The California Trade Network is offering a free profile record to any company or professional in California with international business interests. Advanced services, including live video and integration with Internet Telephony are planned for the near future. The portal also has the ability to process electronic trade opportunities (ETOs) and an automated trade lead matching service is being developed. An agreement was recently reached with the California Technology, Trade and Commerce Agency to allow distribution of trade opportunities identified by California's foreign trade offices; currently operating in twelve cities throughout the world.
    
The California Trade Network has been developed by a small business and is currently seeking potential partners and sponsors to help grow and develop the service. The system is now fully operational and open to companies and professionals with International business interests who are encouraged to establish a profile record at www.caltrade.com.