Alibaba.com, Alibaba’s B2B business unit, in collaboration with trade fair organizer UBM plc, has unveiled an online to offline industry solution that seeks to link B2B online and face-to-face trading.

Under the strategic alliance, the two parties have developed a joint sourcing, service and product system and are also looking to provide more trade information for suppliers and exhibitors by combining two parties’ strength, technologies and relationships.

The alliance has begun with pilot programs introducing Alibaba.com’s online secure transactional platforms and business portals for firms participating in some of the trade fairs organized by UBM Asia.

That would also mean more convenience for exhibitors and visitors of offline trade fairs to search and contact sellers, arrange meetings and place orders online.

“We see opportunities in working together (so as) to change how online and offline trade takes place, providing improved returns and efficiencies for our customers,” according to Jime Essink, president and CEO of UBM Asia.

(Source: shanghaidaily.com  Author: Cathy Ding)