Alibaba Group has launched a global business-to-business supply platform that aims to accelerate medical supplies directly to areas of China affected by the Coronavirus.
The so-called ” Alibaba Global Direct Supply Platform ” will serve as an information bridge, linking medical supply vendors and their products with the needs of the affected hospitals and local authorities.
Alibaba will establish the specifications of the supplies being sought, including the types, models and quantities of products, and will begin the procurement process once the vendors and their products are verified as matching.
The articles obtained through the platform will go to the hospitals according to the level of urgency and priority. Transportation will be carried out through the Alibaba logistics unit, Cainiao Smart Logistics Network, to speed up shipping, handling, customs clearance and delivery.
For purchases, Alibaba will use a fund of $ 142.8 million that was established on January 25, two days after the city of Wuhan, the epicenter of the outbreak, was quarantined.
Along with the launch of the platform, Alibaba published an open letter to suppliers around the world, stating that “ the battle against the virus is at a crucial stage. Our goal is to connect the global supply chain with those who need supplies more quickly and efficiently. With your trust and effort, together, we will overcome this crisis . ”
Alibaba promised that the information on the supply platform would be accurate and transparent and that it would connect quickly and efficiently with the providers that use the platform.
” This is our promise: no matter where your products are, we will deliver them to the medical staff in the fastest and safest way,” Alibaba said in the letter.
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