Alibaba.com announced two major initiatives to bring more benefits to buyers and suppliers in its global import/export marketplace. VeriSign will provide authentication and verification services to verify the identity of suppliers displayed on the Alibaba.com website in addition to its existing authentication and verification process through its Quality Supplier Program. Alibaba.com is also enforcing stricter policies on intellectual property protection and ensuring a safer online trading environment by banning members that have a history of violating the rules and policies of its marketplace.

In addition, the Gold Supplier Starter Pack is a new entry-level product that will extend Alibaba.com's premium storefront service to a broader group of export suppliers in core customer markets in mainland China, as well as new markets such as Hong Kong and Taiwan.

"While the global financial crisis will bring challenges to the real economy, we view the current environment as the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to quality and accessible service for our buyer and supplier community," said David Wei, chief executive officer of Alibaba.com.

The company said that, despite the current economic challenges, the number of buyer inquiries sent to suppliers on Alibaba.com has been consistently increasing compared to prior periods, as more small businesses turn to cost-effective online channels to do business.

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