All sub-sectors of the construction industry including small and medium contractors will benefit further from Phase 2 of SMILE-SMC web-site. The upgraded one-stop resource website will help construction organisations to improve their business opportunities, competitiveness and performance levels, and also provide more information and wider networks in the Mainland and overseas.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), which launched the website in 2006, has signed an innovative University-Industry Partnership Agreement with China Trend Building Press Ltd. (China Trend) for a 2nd phase development and operation of this SMILE-SMC web-site. Aiming at spreading and multiplying the SMILE-SMC benefits to a wider community, China Trend will launch the revamped website within four months. It will also be responsible for the continuous up-dating, upgrading, maintenance and further promotion of the website.

Initially funded by the HKSAR Trade and Industry Department to set up the SMILE-SMC website, the HKU team led by the Department of Civil Engineering, first identified critical industry needs in 2004-05 before developing well-received solutions for the website's operation in February 2006.

The web-site is designed to help all sub-sectors in the construction industry. Although initially intended to help Small & Medium Contractors in particular, it has been found to be useful to all Contractors in improving their competitiveness and performance levels. SMILE-SMC can also help Clients and Consultants e.g. in their search for specialist knowledge, as well as special sub-contractors, specialist contractors, supplies etc.

The agreement signing on June 20, 2007 signified the boosting of SMILE-SMC into a significant 2nd phase. Signatories are Professor Paul Tam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, HKU; Mr. Peter Lee, Head of the Department of Civil Engineering, HKU and Mr. Felix Leung, Publisher, China Trend Building Press Ltd.

About "China Trend Building Press Ltd": It is a Hong Kong-based company specialising in trade publications, particularly in the areas of building design and construction, real estate, interior decoration and related fields. The longest-running China Trend title is the English-language Building Journal, which has been in continuous publication every month since March 1973. The company is a forerunner in online publishing as well, with their own www.building.hk web site having been launched in 1996.

Attending the HKU-China Trend agreement signing ceremony are (from left): (from Department of Civil Engineering, HKU): Dr. Thomas Ng, Professor Mohan Kumaraswamy and Mr. Peter Lee, Head of Department; and (from China Trend Building Press Ltd.): Mr. Felix Leung, Publisher and Mr. Simon Tam, Publishing Director.