October 13, 2016, HANGZHOU, China (GNB) – Premier Brian Gallant met with senior executives of the world’s largest e-commerce retailer, Alibaba, to promote New Brunswick businesses and products.
Gallant was accompanied by representatives from New Brunswick companies Cooke Aquaculture, Oxford Frozen Foods and Prelam Enterprises who had an opportunity to give presentations featuring their premium products.
Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. began in 1999 with a website connecting Chinese manufacturers with overseas buyers. Today, the company has 80 per cent of the e-commerce market in China.
“To grow our economy, we need to enhance trading opportunities for New Brunswick businesses,” said Gallant. “Alibaba is one of the best vehicles for us to get New Brunswick products more exposure in China.”
Earlier this fall, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Alibaba’s executive chair Jack Ma met and launched the online Canadian Pavilion, a digital hub within the e-commerce site directly connecting Canadian companies to Chinese consumers.
New Brunswick companies have already experienced increased sales through e-commerce platforms.
“It was clear that New Brunswick businesses such as Cooke Aquaculture and Prelam have impressed Alibaba,” said Gallant. “We should all be proud of these homegrown businesses which are competing on a global scale.”
Gallant is leading New Brunswick’s largest multi-sector delegation to China with more than 15 business and two universities participating in the nine-day mission.
From left: Gallant and Sun Jiong, Alibaba vice-president.
MEDIA CONTACT(S):
Julie Robichaud, press secretary, Office of the Premier, 506-238-4256.