The website, www.gidabyte.com , features market overviews, interviews with market leaders, upcoming events, and government and industry contacts. GidaByte’s bi-monthly newsletter can be subscribed to via the site as well.

Of interest to market watchers in Hong Kong, the site’s Asia-Pacific focus section (www.gidabyte.com/focus ) currently features seven in-depth interviews with leaders of the Hong Kong telecom industry, including Mr. Y. Ha of OFTA and Mr. Charles Henshaw, CEO of China Mobile Peoples Resources Telephone. In the year to come, look for similar features on the telecom sectors in India, Mainland China, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

GidaByte’s founder, Andrey Gidaspov, explained his vision for the site: “We’re looking to provide a niche service that’s not out there yet: both to help newcomers navigate these complex markets, and to help experienced market players access key information to better position themselves.”

Mr. Gidaspov worked for ten years for the U.S. Department of Commerce as a telecom consultant in Russia and the CIS, and has been working based out of Hong Kong as an independent consultant for the past three years.

“Both the Asian and the Russian markets can be vastly lucrative for foreign firms looking to export, import, or invest, but from experience I can say, outside companies need a good guide. I enjoy helping companies to succeed, and that’s my larger mission.”

The website launch coincides with the kick-off of the Year of China in Russia. Gidaspov, who studied in China as a Soviet student, said he hopes services like Gidabyte will help to bring countries together. “We’re about linking individuals on both sides of the border to help them help each other. After all, it’s mutual understanding and cooperation that enable business to flourish, and business ties are a cornerstone of strong national relations.”

For more information, visit www.gidabyte.com, or contact Andrey Gidaspov directly at info @ gidabyte.com or by mobile at 981-144-235.