Top buyer markets sending these inquiries include Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, the UK and the US, according to the global e-commerce platform
by S BIRRUNTHA / TMRpic
ALIBABA.COM recorded a year-on-year (YoY) jump of 39% in buyer inquiries for halal products from 2020 to 2021, of which 21% were sent to Malaysian suppliers.
Top buyer markets sending these inquiries include Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, the UK and the US, according to the global e-commerce platform.
“As the only business-to-business (B2B) marketplace in Malaysia offering an end-to-end digital trade experience, Alibaba.com provides Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) exporters with a comprehensive suite of services covering online store management, translation support, digital marketing and sourcing, online transaction, logistics, customs clearance, foreign exchange and platform analytics,” it said in a statement.
Alibaba.com also announced the launch of its online Halal Pavilion yesterday, which is aimed to help Malaysian SMEs strengthen their foothold in the international halal market as halal product buyers are increasingly turning to e-commerce.
Held in conjunction with the 18th Malaysia International Halal Showcase in Kuala Lumpur, the launch ceremony of Alibaba.com’s online Halal Pavilion was officiated by Malaysia External Trade Development Corp CEO Datuk Mohd Mustafa Abdul Aziz.
At its initial stage, the dedicated Halal Pavilion will shine the spotlight on certified Malaysian halal suppliers, making it easier for them to grasp demand from buyers in more than 190 countries on Alibaba.com, ahead of sellers from all other markets.
It will feature multiple product categories with a stronger emphasis on food and beverages.
Alibaba.com Asia Pacific head of marketing and business development Nianci Phang (left) said with a shift of B2B buyers towards e-commerce as a legacy of the global pandemic, the platform had seen an uptrend in global inquiries for halal products on Alibaba.com.
“Our introduction of a dedicated pavilion for halal products is not only an important step towards making our marketplace more inclusive for global buyers with special sourcing needs, but it is also part of our commitment to enhancing the visibility of Malaysian suppliers in the international market, especially in an area in which they have an advantage,” she added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Mustafa noted that the 12th Malaysia Plan has identified the halal industry as a strategic source of economic growth with RM56 billion in export revenue by 2025.
He said consequently, given the exponential growth of B2B e-commerce in recent years, Malaysian micro SMEs (MSMEs) should join the bandwagon and enlist their products and services on platforms such as Alibaba.com online Halal Pavilion.
He added that this is to enhance their brands’ visibility and capture bigger export access to the current global B2B e-commerce market valued at US$7.9 trillion (RM35.52 trillion).
To address the special needs of SMEs in Malaysia, Alibaba.com is also working with local partners to offer additional market-specific support such as knowledge-sharing webinars and expert insights.
These channel partners include Exabytes, Innovative Hub, Newpages and Trinity42.
Malaysian suppliers on Alibaba.com can also benefit from the platform’s Trade Confidence service, an order protection service that covers buyers in the event of payment, shipping and product quality-related disputes, to help create trust between buyers and suppliers.
The Halal Pavilion is open to all Malaysian suppliers on Alibaba.com with a valid certificate from the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia.