Alibaba.com and Melbourne IT cater to growing global demand for goods and services produced by Australian SMBs

Melbourne, July 29, 2009 – More and more Australian small businesses are shrugging off the effects of the economic downturn by going global and offering their goods in places like Alibaba.com, the world's largest B2B online marketplace.

The surge in interest in Australian products is occurring just as Alibaba.com and Melbourne IT – Alibaba.com's key Australian reseller – are launching a new, higher level service for export-oriented Australian small businesses. The Gold Supplier International Edition allows Australian suppliers to market to Alibaba.com's eight million registered users globally.

According to trade data recorded by Alibaba.com, as of the end of the first quarter of 2009, demand for Australian goods and services grew nearly 220 percent year on year as buyers from overseas have logged a significant increase in inquiries to Australian small businesses listed on Alibaba.com's international platform.

Trade data from Alibaba.com also suggests that the number one source of inquiries is from Chinese companies, which are accounting for 30 percent of all inquiries to local suppliers on Alibaba.com, a 50 percent increase year over year, followed by India and the US, which are accounting for respectively 11 percent and 8 percent of all trade inquiries. Chinese purchase inquires to Australian SMBs increased more than 360 percent over the last 12 months on the B2B platform, with demand strongest in the food and beverage category.

Members of the Gold Supplier International Edition enjoy enhanced features, including first-level priority listings with a Gold Supplier logo and unlimited online product showcases.

Melbourne IT CEO&Managing Director, Theo Hnarakis, said small and medium-size businesses (SMBs) from Australia can join Alibaba.com as Gold Supplier members via Melbourne IT from July 2009, to maximize their exposure to overseas buyers, receiving local support as they develop opportunities in their international market.

"Melbourne IT continues to help businesses grow and build sales in the most effective ways possible. In partnership with Alibaba.com we are helping Australian SMBs find buyers from around the globe. The improved service will provide real time data on buyer trends, helping Australian businesses to identify where the opportunities for growth lie," Mr Hnarakis said.

"Australia has a wealth of products that are in high demand, especially in economies like China and India. This Gold Supplier membership to Alibaba.com offers stronger opportunities for Australian companies to seek export sales with minimum investment. Any Australian small business can now open a virtual office in every major export destination rather than be restricted just to traditional markets like the US and the UK," said David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com.

Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com helps small businesses grow by connecting them with potential customers and trusted suppliers from around the world for every imaginable good, from laptops to wedding dresses to auto engine parts. As of March 31, 2009, it has more than 8.6 million registered users on its global trade marketplace, including around 200,000 from Australia.

About Alibaba.com
Alibaba.com Limited (HKSE:1688) (HK.1688) is the global leader in business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce and the flagship company of Alibaba Group. Founded in 1999, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers around the world to do business online through three marketplaces: a global trade marketplace (www.alibaba.com) for importers and exporters, a Chinese marketplace (www.alibaba.com.cn) for domestic trade in China, and, through an associated company, a Japanese marketplace (www.alibaba.co.jp) facilitating trade to and from Japan. Together, its marketplaces form a community of more than 40 million registered users from over 240 countries and regions. Originated from Hangzhou in eastern China, Alibaba.com has offices in more than 40 cities across Greater China as well as in Europe and the United States.

About Melbourne IT
Melbourne IT Limited (ASX:MLB) is a world leader in the supply of innovative and scalable online solutions, including digital brand management, critical hosting, messaging and collaboration and domain name management services to organisations of all sizes, from small businesses to major international enterprise globally. Melbourne IT was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in 1999 and has a network of 18 offices in 10 countries around the world. Website: www.melbourneit.com

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