Alibaba.com has helped with the sourcing and distribution of nearly 26 million pieces of PPE to help health systems around the world tackle COVID-19.
The B2B e-commerce platform is providing customer service to help large scale commercial buyers source and make bulk purchases of personal protective equipment (PPE).
The program involves Tmall Supermarket, an online grocer and part of the Alibaba Group, which sources and verifies PPE from manufacturers who do not have the experience of dealing with international customers. Cainiao, Alibaba’s smart logistics network, is streamlining the delivery process of urgently needed PPE.
Alibaba representatives are working alongside the international buyers in areas including pre-order negotiations, transactions, product inspection and customs clearance.
Zhang Kuo, general manager of Alibaba.com, said, “We soon realized many of our buyers, especially governments and healthcare systems, needed more specialized support. With this global direct procurement and supply pilot, we are leveraging Alibaba.com’s own expertise and resources, as well as the power of the Alibaba Group ecosystem partners, to ensure international buyers can secure urgently needed PPE in a timely and transparent manner at fair market prices.”