Alibaba Eyes Pakistani, Asian Suppliers Amid U.S. Uncertainty

Alibaba.com is looking to expand its global supply network, eyeing bigger supply routes from Pakistan and other Asian markets to keep its US wholesale business thriving despite trade uncertainties, targetting a solid 30% growth.

President Kuo Zhang told Bloomberg that Alibaba.com’s wide supplier base, from China and Southeast Asia to India, Pakistan, and Europe, acts as a buffer against shifting trade policies. In other words, they’re not putting all their eggs in one basket.

Speaking to Bloomberg TV, Zhang hyped up Accio, the platform’s #AI-powered sourcing tool that makes buyer-supplier matchmaking smarter and faster. Over 100,000 sellers are already using Alibaba.com’s AI tools, and since November, more than a million buyers have tapped into its AI-driven search features.

Despite inflation concerns and China’s deflationary pressures, Alibaba is seeing skyrocketing interest with searches for the platform having jumped 118% this year. Zhang credits the surge to growing digital trade demand and tech that makes global markets more accessible for small businesses.

Meanwhile to expand its presence in the US, the company is working with tech giants like Google, and pouring resources into global supply chains to keep trade steady.