November 4, 2002 Hangzhou

Hangzhou, China, November 4, 2002 - Alibaba has invited Mr. Lars Klofver, Division Chief and Head of UNOPS Copenhagen Office, to run a private seminar in Hangzhou to introduce Alibaba members the UN procurement market and the successful strategies for doing business with the UN.

Over 200 Alibaba China Suppliers came from all over China to attend the seminar and hear Mr. Klofver presentation. Alibaba members learned about the successful strategies to market their goods and services to the UNOPS. In particular, they were introduced to the UN procurement procedures, rules and regulations.

UNOPS, the United Nations procurement expert, each year procures millions of US dollars' worth of goods, equipment and commodities for the projects it manages on behalf of its clients. Products that are being sourced by UNOPS include: Iron and steel products, Replacement equipment to eliminate ozone-depleting substances, Petroleum products, Motor Vehicles and spare parts, Electronic data processing equipment and accessories, Electrical equipment, Distribution and control, Transformers, Structural metal products, Medical and surgical equipment, Chemicals, Fertilizers, Tires and tubes.

There are great opportunities for Chinese suppliers to join the existing supplier base of the UNOPS. Mr. Klofver offered Alibaba members a step-by-step approach on how to successfully go through the screening process and key tips to become a supplier of the UNOPS.

The seminar was followed by an animated Q&A session, and face-to-face meetings between Mr. Klofver and a number of Alibaba China Suppliers.

Mr. Lars Klofver Listens to Savio Kwan, Alibaba's Chief Operation Officer

UNOPS is an arm of the United Nations that provides project-management services in every field where the UN has a mandate. UNOPS services include selecting and hiring project personnel, procuring goods, organizing training, managing financial resources and administering loans.

In the field of development, UNOPS is the largest service provider in the United Nations system, working on behalf on more than 30 UN departments and organizations. UNOPS is the procurement expert of the United Nations. Each year, on behalf of UN organizations, international financial institutions and donor and developing-country governments, UNOPS procures the services of 6,000 professionals, contracts for services and works valued at more than US$150 million and purchases goods and commodities worth nearly $200 million. The UNOPS office in Copenhagen handles about two-thirds of all large-scale procurement for the organization.

Procurement of goods, services and works accounts for the largest share of the services that UNOPS provides to its clients. No matter where the project is located, the cost of the goods and services or the complexity of the job, UNOPS can find, purchase and arrange to have them delivered on time.