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Alibaba.com records 39pct increase in buyer inquiries for halal products between 2021 and 2022

KUALA LUMPUR: Alibaba.com has recorded a year-on-year (YoY) jump of 39 per cent in buyer inquiries for halal products from 2020 to 2021, of which 21 per cent were sent to Malaysian suppliers.

Alibaba.com Asia Pacific head of marketing and business development Nianci Phang said that with a shift of business-to-business (B2B) buyers toward e-commerce as a legacy of the global pandemic, the platform had seen an uptrend in international inquiries for halal products on Alibaba.com.

Phang said a key trend from the past few years, especially in the post-pandemic era, is that more and more global B2B buyers are getting comfortable with online and digital self-serve ways of product sourcing, spurred by a younger buyer demographic.

"I believe once they are given the right digital tools to build their online export capability, Malaysian exporters will be well poised to meet the demand from global halal product buyers on Alibaba.com and strengthen their foothold in the international market.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to helping Malaysian sellers export and look forward to seeing more successful local digital exporters on our new online platform," she told reporters at the Alibaba.com online halal pavilion launch today.

Held in conjunction with the 18th Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIMAS) in Kuala Lumpur, Alibaba.com has launched its first online halal pavilion.

At its initial stage, the dedicated halal pavilion will spotlight 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.

Phang said the launch of the halal pavilion is an important step toward making Alibaba.com's marketplace more inclusive for global buyers with special sourcing needs.

She said the halal pavilion is also Alibab.com's effort to highlight small and medium-sized Malaysian halal suppliers and help them better capture market opportunities.

"Taking Alibaba.com as an example, suppliers who have set up an online storefront on our platform automatically enjoy access to buyers in more than 190 countries.

"Sellers can manage and own customer relationships through online tools for customer relationship management (CRM), marketing, and analytics, which form the foundation of a successful online export business strategy.

"We also offer sellers further marketing opportunities through online sales festivals such as Super September, Alibaba.com's largest annual B2B sourcing event, attracting millions of buyers worldwide," she added.

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