Harcourt Invests In Chinese Stock Trading Network
By Hans Lombardo
Managing Editor, asia.internet.com
[June 30, 1999--HONG KONG] Venture capital firm, Hartcourt Companies, Inc. (OTC: HRCT), has agreed to acquire 35 percent in UAC Stock Exchange On-Line Co Ltd, the pioneering operator of an online stock trading network in China.
The UAC 162 Network is run on CHINAPAC, an intranet of packet switched data networks owned by China Telecom, and is designed to be a private, secure system connecting investors to brokerage firms throughout China.
The UAC system has been operating at one office of Hua Xia Securities in Beijing with good results, according to Harcourt representatives.
Hua Xia Securities, one of the largest brokerages in China, has signed an agreement to install the UAC system in all of its 98 offices nationwide.
"With its technology and infrastructure, UAC has positioned itself to become the first and major E*Trade in China," said Dr. Alan Phan, Harcourt's chairman and CEO.
"Its potential is mind-boggling, considering China's stock market is already bigger than the Hongkong stock market," added Phan.
Shi Zhang, UAC's chairman and President of UAC, concurred,"China's stock market is growing very fast, to quickly capture the market share and better serve the investment community. We decided to team up with a foreign partner to access the latest technology and world capital markets."
"Hartcourt is our choice because they have been working on many China projects since 1979, giving them a good understanding of our system, culture and potential," added Shi Zhang.
UAC is the first CHINAPAC operating agent to be designated by China Telecom to run an online trading network and is in good position to market its UAC 162 Network to all brokerage firms in China.
According to Harcourt, there are currently 4,000 brokerage offices in China serving 40 Million investors.
Total revenue , excluding the TV set-top box users segment, is projected to exceed $40 Million by 2004 producing an annual net earning of $18 Million.
Harcourt's transaction for the stake of UAC is scheduled to close within the next 60 days.
Hartcourt has the option to increase its 35 percent if the Chinese government change its policy regarding foreign ownership of telecommucation companies in order to be admitted to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Phan confirmed that Hartcourt has signed agreements to joint venture with 2 other Internet companies in China including a national ISP.
He said,"We set our goal last year to become a major Internet company in China. With the completion of these three acquisitions, our goal is fast becoming a reality."
Earlier this year, Harcourt attempted to purchase a significant stake in Chinese portal, China Infohighway, but the move failed for unknown reasons. |
