Bolero.net, the online trade finance network, has launched a channel partner programme in a bid to extend its marketing effort beyond established financial centres. Middle East-based Eastern Networks and Dimension Data in South Africa are the first to sign up and will act as official bolero.net sales agents in their respective regions.
The launch of the programme opens up a multi-billion dollar market for bolero.net services and products to accredited vendors around the world, says the company.
According to Peter Scott, bolero.net’s commercial director, the company's strategy was to set up offices in countries and regions that it considered to be primary targets in the first year of operation following its launch in September 1999. "The British and German offices serve the major Western European countries, our regional headquarters in New York covers the United States, and the establishment of a presence in Hong Kong and Tokyo recognised the important part that large Asian corporations have been playing in the roll out of bolero.net."
Scott estimates that the market for bolero.net 'enabled' products and 'qualified' services could be as high as $5 billion worldwide. Over 40 technology partners, including Sun Microsystems, Mercator, AMS and China Systems have been accredited to develop interfaces and software that works with the Bolero System.