INTERNET company Mondus, which is aiming for a 750m stock market flotation later this year, has called on the Government to do more to encourage electronic commerce, writes Maggie Hartford.

Mondus, based at the Oxford Centre for Innovation in Mill Street, Osney, commissioned a Mori survey into the online trading habits of small businesses. Chief executive Rouzbeh Pirouz said: "The survey shows that Government influence is not being felt.

"Nearly half of buyers and suppliers believe the Government is not doing enough to encourage businesses to buy and sell on the Internet."

He said despite the Budget tax breaks announced to help small businesses get on to the Internet, one in four businesses identified lack of Government support as a major bar to online trading.

Mondus links business buyers and sellers over the Internet.

The survey showed that most small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) saw the Internet as a great opportunity to gain and retain customers, with time and cost savings. Mr Pirouz said: "The main driving force in SMEs using the Internet is to help company growth.

"The main benefits outlined in the survey are cost, promoting company awareness and access to serious, reputable buyers and suppliers - all key factors that were taken into consideration when developing mondus.co.uk."

Mondus was set up last April by Oxford University post-graduate students Mr Pirouz, 28, and Alexander Straub, 27, to allow companies to request a service or product, such as office supplies or computer equipment.

Suppliers quote a price via the Internet. Mondus takes a percentage of the transaction value.

Story date: Wednesday 12 April

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