Alibaba Opens South China Regional Headquarters

Alibaba.com Ltd. (SEHK: 1688) has put its South China regional headquarters in Guangzhou into operation, announced the Chinese business-to-business (B2B) giant on September 18, 2008

With a total investment of USD 50 million, the newly-launched headquarters will oversee and coordinate the company's branches and operations in Southern Chinese provinces like Guangdong, Fujian and Hainan, according to a memorandum of understanding reached between Alibaba and the Guangzhou office.

In addition, it will also serve as the data center, calling center and customer service center for Alibaba in South China as well as South East Asia, said David Wei, chief executive officer for the Hangzhou-based company.

As Alibaba's first regional headquarters out of Hangzhou, the new office is expected to help the company and small- and medium-sized corporate companies ride out the trough in the global economy downturn, according to Mr. Wei, adding that e-commerce will help small- and medium-sized companies lure more customers and expand businesses.