Alibaba to play key role in planned global e-commerce platform

B20, which groups major businesses from around the globe, is proposing to create a world e-commerce platform that will bring together small and medium enterprises across the world, with Jack Ma's Alibaba playing a key role, according to B20 member Pierre Nanterme, who is CEO of Accenture.

Nanterme said a working group within B20 was putting together a final proposal which will be made to the G20, which groups the world's major economies and central bankers. China is the current G20 chairman.

The final plan will formally be launched in China in September when more details will be announced.

"I am a strong believer that indeed e-commerce and e-trade will become the key enabler of global economy growth as well for the SMEs to access international trade. that's why in the SME sector, we're proposing to create a platform called the E World Trade Platform,'' said Nanterme.

"That will bring together the SMEs across the world, reducing massively the cost of operation and transaction," he said, adding that it will give the opportunity to all SMEs around the world to participate.

"At this stage, it should be a private-led multi-stakeholder kind of approach. Public, private, also with members potentially who could contribute, like an organization, for example the OECD (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)".

Nanterme said he believes China will play an important role in this platform and he was impressed by working with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba's founder and CEO Jack Ma.

The working group believes that by creating this global trade platform, more business and jobs opportunities for SMEs will be created, he explained, "it's very important because the SME at the end of the day are the organization creating jobs. So the more they contribute to the world trade, the more they grow, the better it is for the employment market."

"I was very impressed with the delegation of the Chinese business community. Currently it's been a great pleasure to work with those Chinese colleagues, such as Alibaba's Jack Ma," the CEO said, "Ma is a great leader. He is leading a fabulous company, and it's a privilege opportunity to work side by side with him".

To contact the reporter: tuoyannan@chinadaily.com.cn