Alibaba eyes bigger growth in imports

Firm setting up platforms around globe to secure more trade volume

E-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd has set a target of 1 trillion yuan ($158 billion) for its transaction volume on imported goods over the next three years, as China gears up to host its first import expo in November.

Alibaba executives said on Wednesday that the firm also aims to serve as many as 200 million-middle-income-earners cosumers with its cross-border platforms, and help 100 companies around the globe to get listed by 2020.