Alibaba said it has substantially improved its Alibaba.com auction website that is used for global product-sourcing. The Alibaba.com search engine now allows buyers to refine searches by export destination, supplier type and product category.

The website has also added a Safe Trading Advisors section to the homepage to promote safe trading practices and trust between members. The section includes tips on how to identify trustworthy trading partners and information on how to source securely on the Internet, such as an article titled, "Preventing fraud when sourcing from overseas."

Other improvements include an improved layout of supplier storefronts; the ability for Gold Suppliers to post an unlimited amount of products on their sites; enhanced account security and a new Buyer Directory where buyers can list the products for which they are looking.

Meanwhile, the Wall Street Journal reports that Alibaba.com Corp. is raising as much as $1.33 billion "in what is set to be the largest initial public offering by a Chinese technology operator." (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB119247302859459542.html Paid subscription required.)

http://www.alibaba.com/aboutalibaba/releases_071010.html