Alibaba said it has signed up over 1,600 companies to its new Export-to-China program designed to help small and medium businesses sell direct to China.

The program was introduced to the Alibaba site in June and provides international suppliers with a Chinese-language online storefront on Alibaba.com's China marketplace, which has an active community of over 25 million buyers and suppliers. Members also have access to Alibaba.com's professional translation services and promotion at more than 40 major trade shows in China every year.

The company said China's growing demand for imported goods is being fueled by a booming economy, an emerging middle class, the rising Chinese Yuan and favorable government measures promoting imports.

Alibaba.com CEO David Wei said "Chinese buyers are not just looking for luxury goods, natural resources and high end machinery, they are also interested in more basic items such as food and beverages, home supplies and health and beauty products. Alibaba.com can help equalize the trade imbalance by connecting domestic buyers with international suppliers and promoting imports into China."

Alibaba.com estimates that about 64% of its international suppliers are interested in selling into China and 52% of its Chinese members require imported goods.

The service, launched in beta last week, will be offered for free trial to all qualified Alibaba.com paid members for a limited period.

http://www.alibaba.com/activities/export_to_china/home.html