Ma's commitment to Fujian

Jack Ma, executive chairman of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd, has underlined his commitment to a strategic agreement signed between the company and officials in Fujian province.

Attending the China International Fair for Investment & Trade on Tuesday, he said: "The past 20 years of globalization has benefited giant multinational companies.

"Globalization in the future, however, is all about creating more opportunities in developing countries, so small businesses can buy and sell throughout the world."

The strategic agreement with Fujian, signed in May, specifies that Alibaba considers the province a key development zone.

The group has said it is going to use its big data and cloud computing expertise to help develop e-commerce for products made in Fujian, as well as helping the provincial government with its procurement activities, administrative approvals and credit systems.

"Big data is going to transform traditional industry.

"Manufacturers will grasp the specific needs of their customers using big data, which will reduce the cost of production and increase efficiency significantly," said Ma.

Su Shulin, governor of Fujian, told the forum his province "has a lot of advantages when it comes to economic growth" as it enjoys "a lot of favorable policies" from central government.

"It is one of the country's newly established pilot free trade zones, and is a central area of the 21st Century Silk Road.

"We have a sound infrastructure system and by the end of 2015, every county in the province will have highways," said Su.

"We also enjoy a good natural environment, with nearly 66 percent of the province covered by forests - the highest forestation rate in China."

Fujian remains an important manufacturing base in China, particularly for textiles and garment-making, shoes, electronic products and toys.

Ma said that apart from globalization, one of Alibaba's top priorities remains helping to modernize rural China.

"Entrepreneurs need to have social responsibility, which is in itself offers opportunities.

"Where there are difficulties and complaints, there are business opportunities," said Ma.

"Thanks to the Internet, many rural areas where transportation is difficult are able to enjoy door-to-door delivery of daily necessities.

"Moreover, through the Internet, many villages are able to sell their agricultural products to more places. The urbanization of rural areas is going to offer a lot of business opportunities for Alibaba."

During an earlier meeting with You Quan, Party chief of Fujian, Ma said he pledged to turn Alibaba into one of the province's top three corporate taxpayers.

The Alibaba CEO previously criticized companies in Putian, an important shoe manufacturing base, for producing fake brands.

Since April, however, 17 sports shoe brands from the city have started selling via Alibaba's e-commerce platforms.

yangziman@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/09/2015 page16)