Jack Ma, founder of the world’s biggest e-Commerce firm Alibaba, on Wednesday, said he was keen to invest more in India and help technology entrepreneurs here.
Mr. Ma said Alibaba — whose IPO in September ranks as the world’s biggest at $25 billion — was already working with many businesses in India.
“I myself commit that we will invest more in India, work with Indian entrepreneurs, India technologists to improve the relationship of the two nations and to improve the great lives of human beings,” Mr. Ma said at an event here.
Praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his leadership, Mr. Ma said it was the best time for both countries to work together.
“I have heard the Prime Minister’s speech, and it is very passionate and inspiring. As a businessman, I was inspired and moved by it. Both China and India can achieve a lot working together,” he added.
Terming India a nation of mobile phones, he said, this was a nation with which China could work together and it was a great opportunity for entrepreneurs of the two countries.
“There are large numbers of Indian businesses on our websites. We have over four lakh Chinese consumers buying Indian chocolates, spices and tea. I think India has more great products that can sell to China,” Mr. Ma said.
Globally, Alibaba would continue to work with small businesses, he said.
“Over the next three years, one of the key strategies for Alibaba is to globalise and to make sure that we can help more small businesses around the globe, use our services to do businesses,” he added.
Mr. Ma said that Internet was a young business for the young and India had a lot of young people.
“I was a teacher. Internet changed my life and I absolutely agree that India can be changed by Internet too. India is a great nation with so many young people. I strongly believe that Internet is a young business and a business of young people...,” he added.
Mr. Ma, the richest man in China with a fortune of $24.4 billion, founded Alibaba in 1999 in Hangzhou, capital of east China’s Zhejiang Province.
