​Alibaba signs strategic alliance with NZ Govt to strengthen China trade deals

John Key (top left, Prime Minister of New Zealand) and Jack Ma (top right, Founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group) witnessed the signing ceremony between NZTE and Alibaba Group represented by Peter Chrisp (bottom left, Chief Executive of NZTE) and Maggie Zhou (bottom right, Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand for Alibaba Group), respectively.

Alibaba Group and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to formalise discussions for strengthening trade between China and New Zealand and support the growth of New Zealand brands in China.

Discussions between the world’s largest online and mobile marketplace, and the New Zealand Government’s international business development agency were finalised last week, with plans in place to leverage Alibaba’s Ecosystem and NZTE’s resources to support New Zealand companies entering China.

The signing ceremony of the MOU was witnessed by New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Key, and Alibaba Group’s Founder and Executive Chairman, Jack Ma, soon after their keynote speeches at an event held by the China Entrepreneur Club, the premier business leader platform in China.

The MOU aims to broaden Alibaba’s existing partnership with NZTE and has been regarded as a “significant step” in establishing a closer cooperation to promote trade and online commerce between China and New Zealand.

Under the MOU, the parties will explore different collaboration opportunities, including Alibaba providing support for New Zealand companies to enter the Chinese consumer market through its various e-commerce channels, while NZTE will assist local companies to understand and optimise the opportunities Alibaba’s ecosystem offers in terms of business growth in China.

“We are excited to extend our cooperation with the New Zealand Government by collaborating with NZTE to support local businesses to enter China through Alibaba’s platforms,” says Maggie Zhou, the newly appointed Managing Director for Australia and New Zealand, who also represented Alibaba at the MOU signing ceremony.

“With our strong networks in China and expertise in e-commerce, we will enable Chinese consumers to benefit from the premium products and fresh foods that New Zealand businesses can offer.”

Zhou says Alibaba and its wider ecosystem will offer New Zealand businesses a wide range of services to help cultivate opportunities in China via its major e-commerce platforms.

These key services will enable merchants to sell into China through retail (B2C) or wholesale (B2B) platforms, cross-promote tourism between China and New Zealand, and provide payment solutions to both consumers and merchants.

“New Zealand businesses are already using Alibaba’s channels to sell a wide range of products including dairy, meat, seafood, fruit, wine, beverage, cereal, skincare and health supplements,” adds Peter Chrisp, CEO, NZTE.

“By providing dedicated services for New Zealand products, this new arrangement offers significant opportunities for New Zealand businesses to reach more consumers as well as advocating New Zealand’s reputation as a place of open spaces, open hearts and open minds.”

To better support the New Zealand market, Zhou will be leading a team with the addition of a New Zealander, John O’Loghlen as Director, leading business development for the two regions, including Australia.