Alibaba launches ‘Project Sprout Up’ to aid Bangladeshi SMEs become global

Alibaba.com, a leading platform for global business-to-business (B2B) trade, launched a landmark initiative ‘Project Sprout Up’ to help Bangladesh businesses go online and go global.

The roll out of the project will help existing and potential Alibaba.com users in Bangladesh with better access to B2B trade opportunities available in the massive global market.

Alibaba.com disclosed it through a press release on August 18.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will be among the first recipients outside Greater China of this program, which is part of the broader 2020 Spring Thunder initiative by Alibaba Group to help SMEs survive and thrive via digitization. Bangladeshi SMEs will get assistance in three main areas –

-Faster onboarding onto the Alibaba.com platform for establishing a global reach

-Access to solutions designed to accelerate business growth

-Tailor-made training programs to help SMEs deepen their online capabilities

The platform hosts more than 20 million active buyers from over 190 countries and regions, with an average of 300,000 queries made daily for goods ranging from raw materials to finished products in more than 30 major categories.

Over 90,000 products from Singapore-based businesses are currently listed on the platform, including items in top key local industries like food & beverage, machinery and home & garden.

As part of Project Sprout Up, Alibaba.com is also offering an array of AI-backed digital tools for sellers to unlock global business opportunities.

For freshly registered users, the platform will allow more marketing and promotional resources to help increase exposure. Supplier members at all stages of growth can further target and advertise to new customers using Alibaba.com’s smart keyword advertising tool.

Furthermore, the platform will use AI algorithms to accurately match suppliers with inquiries to help businesses rapidly expand their customer base.

To assist merchants, stay prepared for shifting trends in global trade, Alibaba.com is working with its local channel partners to provide free seller support across different international markets.

These comprise hands-on assistance to help business owners set up their accounts and product listings; webinars to facilitate knowledge-sharing among the local seller community; as well as expert talks on online buyer behavior, business negotiations and marketing.