CIOL: Which are the low-carbon technologies that corporates and nations are looking up to in the recent times?

AC: According to popular searches on Alibaba.com, solar-powered energy and organic products are the fastest growing green sectors on our e-marketplace, increasing 71 per cent and 68 per cent year-on-year respectively, in the first quarter of 2009.

This trend is happening at the country level, as governments move towards clean energy, as well as individual level, as consumers are lured to the 'feel good' and cost-saving benefits of solar energy.

CIOL: From where does the highest demand for green products and services come?

AC: Demand for green products is strong in the US, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. According to U.S. President Barack Obama's stimulus bill, 10 per cent of the funding will be allocated to environmental projects. In his inauguration speech, Obama pledged that America “will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories”, which has set the tone for the West, while China is committed to generate 16 per cent of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

CIOL: How much does India contribute to your business? Are you looking for any tie-ups in India?
    
AC: India is both a large buyer and supplier of green products, especially organic products and solar energy. India is Alibaba.com’s second largest international market after the U.S. 

We have around 900,000 local members in India, accounting for 11 per cent of the eight million registered users on our international marketplace. In the fourth quarter of 2008, our Indian membership base grew 19 per cent quarter-on-quarter, compared to 14 per cent for our international marketplace as a whole, making it one of our fastest growing markets. 

Despite the tough economic climate, more and more Indian entrepreneurs and small businesses are turning to e-commerce to cut costs and gain access to new customers, especially with new restrictions on expenses and travel budgets. 

In April 2008, we announced a strategic partnership with Infomedia 18, India's largest yellow pages and special interest publishing company.  Alibaba.com and Infomedia partnership combines the power of traditional print publishing with online media and e-commerce, providing Indian SMEs with a one-stop solution for global and domestic trade.