Alibaba is actively looking at opportunities to expand its business in New Zealand.

Alibaba Australia New Zealand MD Maggie Zhou told the New Zealand China Business Forum last week that the e-commerce giant wants to sign up more New Zealand vendors to its marketplaces as well as launch its Alipay digital payment system in local retailers.

Zhou told the forum that New Zealand’s reputation for being clean and green allowed for significant opportunities to market foods, skincare products and vitamins.

“We want to help more New Zealand businesses come in with high quality products. For the Alibaba ecosystem now, it’s very powerful access for New Zealand businesses to the China market.

“There are also more markets, including Southeast Asia and India as well.”

Alibaba says it has about 400 New Zealand companies currently selling on its platforms, giving those companies exposure to a customer base of some 2 billion people across Asia.

Meanwhile, launching Alipay in New Zealand would make it easier for Chinese tourists to shop when travelling, because just 13 per cent of those visiting New Zealand currently have credit cards.