Alibaba urged to partner with government

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Finance (DOF) has invited the Alibaba Group to partner with the Duterte administration and the private sector for the establishment of an inclusive financial system in the Philippines that would drive growth in rural communities and empower small businesses.

During a meeting with Alibaba officials earlier this month, Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez had urged the financial services group to pursue opportunities in the Philippines in the area of digital finance and electronic commerce.

The finance chief said a closer relationship between the Philippine government and Alibaba would help further cement bilateral ties between the Philippines and China.

Dominguez, together with other finance and central bank officials, went to Hangzhou, China, from January 31 to February 2 for a meeting with Alibaba founder Jack Ma and a three-day workshop organized by the Alibaba Business School.

According to Dominguez, the visit was in line with President Duterte’s instructions to discuss with the Chinese tycoon possible areas that Alibaba and the Philippine government could pursue together.

“I will report to the President that there are many elements here that we could use in the Philippines, including in the area of security management,” Dominguez said during the meeting.

Dominguez said technology is a tool that can help not only in reducing poverty, but also in maintaining law and order.

Ma, for his part, said the Philippines has a “huge potential” to embrace the digital revolution, especially because he believes e-commerce was designed for developing countries.

“This delegation coming here made a very brave and inspiring step forward to embrace and understand the technology revolution. Someday, I think the Alibaba people would be very happy to go to the Philippines to learn from you,” Ma said.

“The Filipinos are a great and kind people and I have a lot of people working together who come from the Philippines. I think they are intelligent, hardworking and professional,” he said.

The New Economy Workshop for Philippine officials is the first overseas government training program organized by the Alibaba Business School.

The workshop included topics on e-commerce development in China, inclusive finance through digital technologies, rural e-commerce development, and smart logistics in the digital economy.