Alibaba is in “advanced stage negotiations” to form a joint venture ecommerce company with Russian partners, as China’s vision of a “digital silk road” across Eurasia takes shape.
Russian officials and other people involved in the deal said Alibaba was close to agreeing a partnership with Russian internet company, Mail.ru, and the Russian Direct Investment Fund, the sovereign wealth fund. The involvement of RDIF indicates the level of official backing for the planned venture.
