Alibaba reaches partnership agreement with Brazil's postal service

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is cultivating its overseas customer base, reaching a partnership with Brazil's state postal service company Correios ahead of its highly anticipated initial public offering in the United States later this year.

The memorandum of understanding is aimed at boosting bilateral trade by allowing Alibaba to leverage Correios' local delivery network, warehouse, and customs clearance capabilities to bring buyers and vendors closer.

Alibaba aims to help Brazilian small businesses sell their products to Chinese buyers through its B2B business site and its online payment system.

The partnership is also an attempt to raise the awareness of Alibaba's export service among overseas businesses.

Logistics is the backbone of the booming e-commerce business in the country, and e-commerce companies are diversifying their delivery service to attract buyers.

Earlier this year, Alibaba Group and China Post announced they were planning a joint smart logistics network in small cities and rural areas.

In May, Alibaba announced a US$249 million investment for a 10.4 percent stake in Singapore Post, and the two companies aim to leverage each other's strengths to serve the growing number of vendors and shoppers on Alibaba's platform.