BvDEP's new Asia-Pacific company database, ORIANA, sails into view.

M2 PRESSWIRE-23 May 2005-BUREAU VAN DIJK: BvDEP's new Asia-Pacific company database, ORIANA, sails into view(C)1994-2005 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD

RDATE:23052005

Bureau van Dijk Electronic Publishing (BvDEP), the leading electronic publisher of business information, will launch its keenly anticipated Asia-Pacific database at the beginning of June. Named ORIANA, which is evocative of eastern travel and experience, it contains both public and private company information, and is similar in concept to BvDEP's market-leading, pan-European AMADEUS.

At launch, ORIANA will contain information for 85,000 companies in seventeen countries from Pakistan to New Zealand, and include reports for companies in countries where private company information is notoriously elusive, such as China. As with AMADEUS the data is sourced from local, expert, information providers, and more are currently being researched.

A standardised report format comprising twenty three balance sheet items, twenty five profit and loss items and twenty six standard ratios will facilitate cross-border searching and analysis. An identical format is already applied on AMADEUS, so users will have the facility to compare companies' performances across continents.

"We're very proud of the coverage we've achieved on ORIANA," said Angus Davidson, international sales manager at BvDEP, "We know from experience how much users crave good quality information on private companies, and we've found suppliers, with indigenous experience, that can deliver. The data on ORIANA will also be available on our global database, ORBIS, so any user with a BvDEP credit account can have immediate access to this valuable dataset."

ORIANA will initially be launched on CD-ROM, which BvDEP feels best caters for the technological environment in Asia, where many of its early users will be based. A full internet version will follow shortly. Free trials can be arranged via bvdep.com, london@bvdep.com or 020 7549 5000.

Photographs and screenshots can be supplied on request.

ORIANA: Additional information

At launch ORIANA will contain information from companies in the following countries:

Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. As part of its philosophy of continual enhancement, BvDEP is continuing to source and verify new information providers to increase the depth and scope of ORIANA.

About BvDEP

BvDEP has 280 employees working in a total of 19 offices around the world. BvDEP is best known for its range of company information databases which combine high quality data sources with easy to use, sophisticated software to help users manipulate the data for research, analysis and business development. The product range includes the renowned AMADEUS, BANKSCOPE, OSIRIS (listed companies worldwide), FAME and its M&A database ZEPHYR. Its global database ORBIS contains information on approaching 13 million companies. BvDEP recently launched MINT UK, business intelligence for end users and wider business community. www.bvdep.com.

CONTACT: Louise Green, Marketing Communications, Bureau van Dijk Electronic PublishingTel: +44 (0)20 7549 5012e-mail: louise.green@bvdep.comAngus Davidson, International Sales Manager, Bureau van Dijk Electronic PublishingTel: +44 (0)20 7549 5013e-mail: Angus.davidson@bvdep.com

((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided within M2 PressWIRE. Data prepared by named party/parties. Further information on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).