To coincide with World MSME Day, Alibaba.com, a prominent global business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce platform, has launched the Verified Supplier membership program in Pakistan. This initiative aims to assist eligible Pakistani exporters in gaining the trust of international buyers during online trade transactions.
By introducing this feature, online retail demonstrates its ongoing commitment to supporting small businesses in Pakistan, which comprise nearly 90% of the country’s private enterprises.
In partnership with SGS in Pakistan, Alibaba.com offers the Verified Supplier program as its premier membership tier. This program provides suppliers with on-site verification services conducted by a globally renowned independent certification institution.
Through this program, buyers can conveniently discover a network of meticulously screened suppliers who have undergone a thorough verification process. This process includes various measures such as background checks, on-site inspections, evaluations of management quality, and assessments of production and service capabilities.
The resulting comprehensive assessment report is made available to all buyers through the participating suppliers’ Alibaba.com storefronts, serving as evidence of their reliability and capabilities. Verified Suppliers on Alibaba.com are identifiable by a “Verified Supplier” tag visible to buyers in the platform’s search results, product detail pages, and the suppliers’ company profiles.
Additionally, Verified Suppliers have access to an exclusive online pavilion on Alibaba.com, where they can showcase their products and enjoy greater exposure to potential buyers. The features benefit eligible Pakistani companies looking to enter the global market by helping them establish themselves as credible businesses and stand out from the competition.
In celebration of World SME Day, Alibaba.com also co-hosted a webinar with the International Trade Centre (ITC), providing valuable insights into the latest digital trends and tools available to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide.
During the webinar titled “The Future of B2B E-commerce,” ITC emphasized that small businesses can reap significant benefits from e-commerce if they transform their organizational structure, invest in digital skills and establish a strong online presence. It also advised businesses to prioritize B2B e-commerce and select appropriate sales channels to engage in international e-commerce successfully.
Alibaba.com concurred on the value of digital transformation for MSMEs during the webinar, shedding light on its benefits of reducing business risks, expanding customer reach, improving productivity and cost management, and boosting company profits.
During the webinar, Alibaba.com emphasized the increasing prominence of B2B live streaming as an effective digital marketing tool for MSMEs. This marketing method has gained significant traction on the Alibaba.com platform, attracting over 13 million viewers by 2022. This impressive figure represents a remarkable year-on-year increase of 198%.
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Andrew Zheng, Head of the Global Supplier Business at Alibaba.com, said, “We are proud to celebrate World MSME Day 2023 and the important role of MSMEs in the global economy with ITC. Alibaba.com is committed to helping MSMEs succeed by providing them with the tools and resources needed to thrive in the digital age. We believe that with our support, MSMEs can break barriers and build bridges towards a more prosperous future.”
Annabel Sykes, E-commerce and SME Digital Transformation Adviser at the International Trade Centre, “MSMEs are the backbone of most economies worldwide, and Alibaba.com’s efforts to help them connect and trade globally are significant. The digitalization of trade is a game-changer and can help MSMEs tap into new markets and grow their businesses. Alibaba.com is a strong partner in this journey.”