Computerland predicts 70% of steel e-trade for Stalportal

Computerland, owner of a 57% stake in Internet steel exchange Stalportal, is planning that 70% of e-commerce transactions in the steel sector will be conducted via the portal by the year 2003. Already Computerland, which is one of Poland's leading software companies, has signed letters of intent with several dozen steel companies, on providing a full range of the steel products used in Poland. Apart from Computerland, other shareholders in the portal include Poland Alloys, Eurostal, and Delata Trans Logistik. However, the company expected to be Computerland's key partner in the venture, Stalexport, has still not signed up to any agreement, although Computerland spokesman Michal Michalski says that talks with the steel giant are still being held. Stalportal was launched at a cost of zl.3 million, and turnover is predicted to be zl.50 million by the end of the year. However, it faces competition from another platform, set up by software leader Prokom and Impexmetal, initially for trading non-ferrous metals via the Internet, but which has now expanded to the steel sector. (Puls Biznesu, p. 5) M.T.