Alibaba Hosts Sourcing Event in Mumbai

June 19, 2011

Business-to-business e-commerce platform, Alibaba.com, held an offline sourcing event in Mumbai earlier this month. The event was held June 1-2 and reportedly attracted more than 200 Indian suppliers registered on the company’s online sourcing website.

The two-day event consisted of a seminar on the first day featuring panel discussions, networking and Q&A sessions. On day two, one-on-one business matching sessions were organised for a pre-selected group of approximately 20 suppliers from the gifts, stationery, home supplies, auto parts and apparel industries in India. They were matched with buyers from major retailers.

This is a significant development as Alibaba continues to experiment with events in China – and now in India. In cooperation with Alibaba Group subsidiary, Taobao, Alibaba.com will host several events this year in Xiamen, Hangzhou, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

After the event in Mumbai, Brian Wong, vice president of Global Sales and Service, Alibaba.com, said, “The sourcing event in Mumbai this time signifies a shift in Alibaba.com’s approach to developing our marketplace ... the growing sophistication of Indian SMEs and increasing Internet penetration in India, makes it the right time for us to focus more on developing overseas suppliers especially in India to meet buyer needs. We are here to offer quality Indian suppliers a gateway to reaching out to world-class buyers.”

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MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.    Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.    Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.   The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.    MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.     MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.