BEIJING, Nov. 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET) ("ChinaNet" or the "Company"), a leading B2B (business to business) Internet technology company providing online-to-offline (O2O) sales channel expansion services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurial management and networking services for entrepreneurs in the People's Republic of China, announced today its expanded efforts to attract new SME's in the Fujian province in conjunction with the Provincial Government's redevelopment plan promoting more service-based industries in the region.
The Fujian Provincial Government's "2014-2015 Action Plan" focuses on redevelopment and upgrading the Province's industrial economy with a modern service industry. By 2015 the government estimates the service economy's added value will reach 1 trillion RMB, accounting for more than 42 percent of GDP in the Fujian Province. Most of these new service industry brands are utilizing a franchise development model.
ChinaNet intends to capitalize on the region's redevelopment plans with a strategic increase in its local presence, including attendance at regional events. ChinaNet subsidiary Liansuo.com will participate in the Chinese Franchise Exhibition, organized by Chinese Chain Store & Franchise Association, to be held in the Fuzhou Strait International Conference & Exhibition Center, November 6th- 8th. In addition, the Company will utilize its B2B/B2C online and offline marketing model, similar to Taobao and Alibaba, to broaden investment channels and provide opportunities to franchise brands who intend to enter the Fujian coast.
COO of ChinaNet George Chu commented, "We recognized a key opportunity for our services with the Fujian Provincial Government's plan to bring more franchise and service brands to the region. The government recognizes that franchising is bringing growth throughout China, having experienced 50% to 60% growth and according to data from the Ministry of Finance. We intend to be an important player in this transition, offering our comprehensive suite of fully integrated advertising, marketing and management solutions for small to mid-size franchise businesses."
About ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc.
The Company, a parent company of ChinaNet Online Media Group Ltd., incorporated in the BVI ("ChinaNet"), is a leading digital B2B (business to business) Internet technology company focusing on providing O2O (online-to-offline) sales channel expansion service for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurial management and networking service for entrepreneurs in China. The Company, through certain contractual arrangements with operating companies in the PRC, provides Internet advertising and other services for Chinese SMEs via its portal websites, 28.com, Liansuo.com and Chuangye.com, TV commercials and program production via China-Net TV, and in-house LCD advertising on banking kiosks targeting Chinese banking patrons. Website: http://www.chinanet-online.com.
Safe Harbor
This release contains certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of ChinaNet Online Holdings, Inc., which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including business uncertainties relating to government regulation of our industry, market demand, reliance on key personnel, future capital requirements, competition in general and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those described herein as anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are or will be described in greater detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on ChinaNet's current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting ChinaNet will be those anticipated by ChinaNet. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the Company) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ChinaNet undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.