Alibaba’s logistics arm Cainiao Smart Logistics Network has announced plans to implement global smart supply chain technologies around the Hainan Free Trade Zone to meet explosive growth in consumer demand for goods there.

With the plans, Cainiao will be able to provide strong logistics infrastructure within the Free Trade Zone and reach customers around the globe with its digitised full chain logistics systems. Hainan is one of Cainiao’s core logistics hubs and this will connect with its eHubs in Liege, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, playing a role in driving trade and e-commerce in Asia and Europe.

“This strategic plan to create a comprehensive full-chain logistics service tailored for the unique needs of Hainan demonstrates our commitment to actively participate in the development of the Hainan Free Trade Zone. Leveraging Cainiao’s global smart supply chain capabilities, we aim to provide a stable and highly efficient logistics network across the Greater Bay Area (GBA), Hainan and Southeast Asia,” said James Zhao, Cainiao’s General Manager of Global Supply Chain. “Smart logistics and supply chain will continue to play an instrumental and fundamental role in facilitating global trade and e-commerce, and the work we are doing in Hainan will evidently help us to pioneer more comprehensive services and solutions to benefit tens of millions of consumers and merchants globally.”