Alibaba launches data center in Singapore

Tech in Asia reported that Alibaba introduces its new data center in Singapore. On top of that, the company also built a head office for international business in the same location, with it coming online this September.

The article mentioned that Alibaba already had an office and several staff in Singapore when it launched its Taobao marketplace in 2013.

The new center will offer various cloud computing services to Asian companies focusing on Chinese businesses and will be run by Alibaba's computing body, Aliyun. The data center will be linked to present 6 centers located in Silicon Valley, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, Qingdao, Hangzhou and Beijing as soon as it opens early next month. Aliyun is also said to have its headquarters for overseas operations in Singapore.

Alibaba is also said to have other plans to move globally with its appointment of Wan Ling Martello as one of its independent members of board of directors.

The additional center in Singapore is just one of the company's investments amounting to $1 billion. The company's investment is in line with its goal to improve its business and have an edge versus its rival, Amazon Web Services. The company also has plans to branch out to Japan, the Middle East and Europe in developing their cloud offerings.

Yu Sicheng, VP of Aliyun, stated that they found Singapore as a "natural destination" to host its headquarters for global expansion. He added that the new cloud data center is a major accomplishment in their approach to assist businesses of various sizes to innovate, regardless of their strategies and location.

Yu sees that there is a growing demand for cloud data services in Singapore because of its ability to run businesses with ease and for its faster telecommunications connections. He also views other advantages that Singapore would bring the company including its talented people and its steady geo-political conditions.