SARS impact spreading

Daily Record, The (Baltimore), Apr 25, 2003 by Patrice Dickens

With the outbreak of SARS in a number of China's provinces, Maryland-based companies that operate out of Maryland Center China in Shanghai are more cautious when it comes to traveling within the continent and abroad.

Many are thankful for small wonders like e-mail and video conferencing, which makes day-to-day business activities possible.

"We haven't slowed down a bit," said Ning Shao, managing director for Maryland Center China. "Fortunately, we have e-mail."

The center, which features 17 Maryland-based companies, including RTKL International, Patton Electronics and Ace*Comm Corp., among others, is operated by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.

"Most of our work is done through e-mail, anyway," Shao said. "But technology is making modern business much easier. Otherwise, it would be much more difficult."

SARS, which stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, is prevalent primarily on the south side of China, like the province of Guangdong, a distance away from Shanghai.

But Shao said the recent outbreak of SARS in Beijing, China's capital, made the Maryland-based companies in China more cautious.

"It's a challenge for all of us," said Shao. "We have to be a lot more careful ... really limit some of our travel."

"We don't know if any city is safe," Shao said.

Cases of SARS have been reported in Toronto, Canada, and most recently suspected in Baltimore -- including a physician who is doing his residency at Kennedy Krieger.

Between November 2002, when SARS first surfaced, and now, a total of 4,288 SARS cases have been reported in 25 countries, including the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been 251 deaths.

As of April 23, a total of 245 SARS cases were reported in the United States to CDC from 37 states, the health organization's Web site said.

The outbreak of SARS is also having an impact in Maryland.

The economic development organization had to cancel its Asia Trade Week event scheduled for April 21 through April 29.

The event enables Maryland companies interested in doing business abroad to meet with Shao as well as other Maryland's trade representatives from Japan, Taiwan and Singapore.

Despite the cancellation of the Asia Trade Week festivities, DBED officials and Shao are working on other ways to facilitate communication between Maryland-based companies who want to do business in China, but are afraid to travel.

Shao said the center and DBED are working to offer video conferencing to interested companies.