The website, www.ecvn.com, is considered one of the most effective Business-to-Business (B2B) websites in Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade said.

In a recent survey of 202 members, 38 said they signed 236 contracts with 185 partners through the website.

Membership has spawned relationships with 5,000 partners, with many preparing to ink contracts with their partners.

Tran Huu Linh, the ministry's vice head of the Electronic Commerce Division, said membership was increasing.

Seventy one per cent of the members had set up electronic services, such as granting certificates of origin, recruiting staff, and providing market information as well as setting up online offices.

In the near future, the website will be available in French and Chinese as well as Vietnamese and English.

New services, including transport, logistics, and export information, will be provided soon.

Gov't plan

The government's plan until the year 2010 is to get 60% of big businesses, 80% of small - and medium-sized companies and 10% of individual businesses to take part in e-commerce.

Vietnam has 200,000 companies, of which 18,000 have their own websites.

But e-commerce is very limited. To improve the situation, the government has issued laws related to the field, including the electronic transaction law, trade law and a decree on electronic commerce.

"Laws will encourage e-commerce and protect the rights of participants," Linh added.

The ministry has mapped out a plan to develop electronic transactions, including three websites in Hanoi, Dong Nai Province and Da Nang. These websites have been linked with international websites to bolster business partnerships.