Some hundreds of companies have resorted to the Weather Information Service (WIS)of the National Meteorological center,since it started charged services last October,according to Zhao Luqiang,director of the center.

He said the booming business has beaten his expectation and most of their customers are heavyweights,such as the cashmere product maker Erdos Group and leading home appliance manufacturers Haier Group and Gree Group.

In Zhao's opinion,the growing business is mainly due to the fact that many local companies have come to realize the impacts of weather on their business.

He said some home appliance makers had made a right decision to cut production of air-conditioners after consulting the WIS.

"That's because according to our forecast,it would be a warm winter last year and demand for air-conditioners would drop,"Zhao said.

"Our service proved correct and their strategy decision turned out appropriate,"he added.

Referring to practices of the weather services in other countries,Zhao said he is optimistic about the fledging market here.

"In Japan,the sector brings in 30billion Japanese yen (US$231million)each year,"he said.Also banking on huge potential here,some overseas weather service providers have launched mainland offices and are tapping into the local market,Zhao noted.

(China Youth Daily March 19, 2002)