The objective of this project was to develop and maintain a European online portal, serving as a knowledge exchange on business-to-business electronic marketplaces. The portal contains neutral and reliable information, which guide SMEs in selecting the most appropriate and trustworthy e-marketplaces and business partners. This contributed to making e-commerce an even more important tool for European SMEs. The portal provides interactive services and structure information surrounding electronic marketplaces, business partners and e-commerce in general. The portal is available in a number of relevant languages of the EU member states, the acceding countries, the candidate countries and the EEA EFTA states. The consortium made use of existing expertise and the established eMarket Services portal, to create a comprehensive European service, addressing the opportunities and obstacles for European SMEs and the business advisors assisting them regarding e-marketplaces. Efficient promotion of the service through trusted channels can make European SMEs aware of different Internet trading platforms and potential business partners, and enable them to evaluate, use, and take maximum advantage from participation in e-marketplaces, when appropriate. The increased use of e-marketplaces aimed at increasing the competitiveness of European SMEs in a global perspective and making trade within the European union and with other parts of the world more dynamic.

Project activities included the design and implementation of the European portal on B2B electronic marketplaces; the improvement and update a database of e-marketplaces; the production of an handbook on e-marketplaces; a set of customised services to provide personalised guidance and assistance to SMEs concerning B2B e-marketplaces; independent rating and Codes of conduct; list of events/conferences on B2B e-marketplaces; promotion of the service; meetings, reports and plan for the continuation of the project. Direct beneficiaries are managing directors, marketing-, sales- and purchasing managers in small and medium sized companies in Europe.

Type of service

National Contact Points (NCPs) recruitment in Eastern European Countries not covered by the services.

Co-ordination of the National Contact Points recruited with regard to the promotional activities.

Support to the NCPs as to their “question and answer” service about e-business and e-marketplaces issues.

Implementation of case studies about companies already trading on line thanks to B2B e-markets.

Implementation of industry reports and researches about the situation of e-commerce in the Eastern European Countries or the influence of e-marketplaces in particular economic sectors.

Analysis of 280 e-marketplaces listed in the eMarket Services database, evaluating their trustworthiness, trading functions, privacy policy and terms of use.

List of events/conferences on B2B e-marketplaces.

Contribution to the ongoing discussion about Codes of Conduct for e-markets and Indipendent rating variables.