¨          What is Alibaba? Founded in 1999 in Hangzhou, China, Alibaba.com makes it easy for millions of buyers and suppliers around the world to do business online mainly through three marketplaces: a global trade platform (alibaba.com) for importers and exporters; a Chinese platform (1688.com) for domestic trade in China; and a transaction-based wholesale platform on the global site (aliexpress.com) geared for smaller buyers seeking fast shipment of small quantities of goods. Tog...