Global Sources - eBay B2B link-up throws down the gauntlet to Alibaba

One of the more unexpected announcements of the week has come from Hong Kong-based and NASDAQ-listed Global Sources who are linking up with eBay in China. They say that their new service Global Sources Direct is designed to serve eBay PowerSellers in China.

Perhaps no coincidence that Global Sources' arch rivals in China, alibaba.com has been pouring much of the $80 million it raised last year on financial markets to fund its taobao.com which is giving eBay a run for its money in the consumer auctions market. Alibaba hasn't yet geared Taobao up for B2B activity and, with this announcement, both eBay and Global Sources seem to be taking a step up above it. If it works, it will be one of the few times they have outflanked Alibaba's Jack Ma as the companies vie for supremacy.