Alibaba.com and KITA join hands to promote Korean exports

HANGZHOU, September 15, 2009 – Alibaba.com, the global leader in business-to-business e-commerce, and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) have launched an innovative joint program called “Export to China, Export to the World”. The initiative, which will run for 12 months, is designed to build the export capabilities of 1,000 small and medium-enterprises (SMEs) in Korea and open up new trading markets for them in China and worldwide. 

In 2008, Korea’s export volume reached US$421 billion, yet only 31 percent of this was contributed by SMEs.[1]According to Korea Customs Service, 55 percent of Korean exporters sell their goods and services to only one country and are therefore exposed to the potential risks of unexpected market changes in their one-and-only export market. These companies are especially vulnerable in today’s tough economic climate. 

“Small companies in Korea need to step up their export capabilities and China represents the single largest export opportunity for domestic businesses,” said Arthur Chang, Vice President of Global Sales for Alibaba.com. “Together with KITA we have pioneered a new program that will make it easy for Korean SMEs to enter China and other international markets, thereby diversifying their customer base and increasing their competitiveness.”   

“This joint project between KITA and Alibaba.com will overcome the limitations of offline marketing activities which have traditionally been one-off events, fixed in time and location,” said Wayne Yee, Senior Executive Director, KITA. “By working with the world’s largest e-trade marketplace, we expect the merging of online marketing and offline activities, such as our mega sourcing event in November, will provide the best results for Korean companies and have tangible export-building results for the country.” 

KITA’s member companies will receive free admission to online and offline buyer events under the “Export to China, Export to the World” program and be given premium storefronts on Alibaba.com’s English-language marketplace for importers and exporters, which has 9.5 million registered users from 240-plus countries, and its Chinese-language marketplace for domestic trade with more than 33 million users. As part of the program, Alibaba.com has set up a Korean channel featuring quality products and suppliers from Korea. This is the third specialty country channel launched by Alibaba.com after China and India. 

Participating member companies are eligible for a grant of KRW 4 million to be used for subscribing to value-added services provided by KITA in connection with Alibaba.com, such as Korean-English and Korean-Chinese translation services, inquiry handling services and e-catalogue production services, and can take part in a series of e-commerce and online marketplace educational courses. 

An “Export to China, Export to the World” mega sourcing event will be held in November 2009, bringing 100 Chinese and international big buyers such as Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, P&G, Auchan, Boots, Next and Lotus to Korea to meet directly with local suppliers. 

Founded in China 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 solar panels to auto engine parts. It has more than 90,000 registered users from Korea and has seen its local membership base grow by 64 percent over the last 12 months.[2]

About Alibaba.com

Alibaba.com (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 (alibaba.com) for importers and exporters, a Chinese marketplace (alibaba.com.cn) for domestic trade in China, and, through an associated company, a Japanese marketplace (alibaba.co.jp) facilitating trade to and from Japan. Together, its marketplaces form a community of more than 42 million registered users from more than 240 countries and regions. Alibaba.com also offers business management software solutions targeting small businesses across China under the “Alisoft” brand. Founded in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba.com has offices in more than 50 cities across Greater China, Japan, Korea, Europe and the United States.

------------------------------------------------------
[1] According to the Ministry of Knowledge&Economy, Korea Customs Service
[2] Based on Alibaba.com data as of June 30, 2009

For more information, please contact:

Christina Splinder
Alibaba.com
Tel: +852 2215 5130
csplinder@hk.alibaba-inc.com