APD. How does RecruitAsia.com differentiate itself from the competition?

SL. We are uniquely positioned to target both employers and recruiters, because we offer them a mix of a huge re'sume' database and 'value for money' pricing. Our ability to offer better pricing is attributable to the group's offshore support operations, as the productivity and cost savings are passed on directly to our customers.

Besides online job ads and re'sume' search services, we have two other major revenue streams:

1. Offering a full online matching and placement service; and
2. Matching the best and brightest from India, Pakistan, Vietnam and China to the developed economies, including US, Europe and Asia.

In a nutshell, we offer a one-stop service, covering a full range of recruitment management solutions, to employers and recruiters alike.

APD. Currently, what are the dotcom businesses of Petrosin?

SL. Besides Recruit Asia.com, we have four other portals in various industries. HouseAsia.com concentrates on providing expatriate rental housing in Singapore and in select Asian cities. AtoZAsia.com is a Web portal offering users facilities such as Web hosting, free e-mail and useful information.

LeisureAsia.com's mission is to provide holiday seekers and travellers with any information they will need in regards to Asia. And Petrobuyer.com serves as a global procurement centre for the supply of all related machinery, equipment, materials and even plants for the needs of the oil and gas industry.

APD. Is setting up operations in low cost countries a major part of Petrosin's overall strategy?

SL. Yes. This is not different from the way multinational companies shift part of their operation to low cost countries. In fact, Internet technology has made it even easier and more productive. Our offshore staffing is in excess of 200 and still expanding.

In these low cost operation countries, where there is abundant labour, we are getting nothing short of the best and brightest to serve us. It is not uncommon for degree holders, including those with a Master's degree, to operate front line tasks for us. It really gives us the edge needed in this competitive marketplace.

APD. What are Petrosin's offshore services?

SL. We have a pool of dedicated professionals handling the following specialised functions:

1. A content division that supports all the content related activities required by each portal;
2. A design division that focuses on all design aspects demanded by each site. They also develop all related online advertising requirements for each of the dotcoms;
3. A customer support division that supports all customer relationship management issues pertaining to each portal;
4. A research division that supplies the portals with the latest trends and business issues facing their individual business models;
5. A data entry and testing division that handles all the data entry and testing requirements of each portal.
These offshore divisions service both internal and external customers.