Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma is upbeat on China-Malaysia relationship, especially in the e-commerce infrastructure sphere following the opening of its first electronic world trade platform (eWTP) hub in Malaysia.
Ma believes the Malaysian government will continue the policy to open foreign investments in the country, to help with the creation of business value and job opportunities for locals.
“I am very confident with the relationship between China and Malaysia. I am also confident of China’s business community coming to Malaysia to invest,” he told reporters after launching Alibaba Group’s national office here today.
Ma said Alibaba’s ultimate goal in any countries is to digitalise its local partners and support small business as well as young people.
“We want to empower small business and young people to go global. We (Alibaba) come here to serve the small business and its future.
“It is our opportunity and responsibility. We know it is not easy, but when you solve the issue, that is the opportunity,” he added.
Ma said Alibaba would want to enable more Malaysian partners here thus creating more jobs.
“Alibaba has created 36 million jobs in China. We come here to look for partners. We want to enable our partners and want them to be the local king,” he said.
Ma pointed out that the conglomerate would keen to work with young Malaysians, citing that the country has many talented work force.
“We know, only when partners succeed, we (Alibaba) can be successful. Malaysia is so unique with so many young people. We would do anything to empower and help them. I think Alibaba needs Malaysian people,” he assured.
Ma said Malaysia has inspired him on Alibaba, referring to the establishment of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).
“This morning (yesterday) I thanked the prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his great inspiration for MSC. We shared a lot of similarities. We believe internet, technology and young people.
“We are both interested on how we can use technology to empower the rural farmers and create job as well as to make them more productive,” he said.
https://www.nst.com.my/business/2018/06/381220/alibaba-chief-upbeat-china-malaysia-relations-long-term