The "eMicro" network of credit products leverages DHgate.com's transactional data to evaluate a business's order opportunities, rather than relying on traditional credit criteria. The new scheme not only lowers the entry barrier for SMEs and provides incentives to improve their quality and service for the international market, it also gives international buyers a wider variety of product options.

"We are very pleased to partner with China Construction Bank to provide microloans, which are essential to online business growth. For the majority of DHgate.com's SME suppliers, this will undoubtedly help drive business innovation, benefitting our larger international community. This microloan program has a very real social impact," said DHgate.com's CEO Diane Wang.

Opening Opportunities through Online Microloans

SMEs across the world often fail to meet conditions that banks traditionally require for successful loan applications. As their champion, DHgate.com is continually developing services which support their progression, both in China and around the world.

In this initial phase, registered suppliers on DHgate.com will be eligible to apply for the "eMicro" finance products; products which use more practical criteria to assess credit worthiness and control risk. DHgate.com will be able to facilitate the loans by accumulating application submissions to CCB, analyzing sellers' transactional data and credit records, and working with CCB's online credit check systems.

The traditional fixed costs of processing loans of any size and term is considerable. The "eMicro" network of products will match international export-oriented SMEs with faster access to financing. Under this pioneering line of microloan products, transactions will take place completely online. Resources needed to process loans will be minimized and funds will be credited into sellers' accounts in real-time.

"Internet banking is the foundation through which we provide customers full access off our online financial services operation platform. This breakthrough reduces the risk of bank credit for SMEs, and staff concerns about higher transaction costs," said CCB's Wholesale Business Director Gu Jing Pu.

Beyond China to the Global Marketplace

"We were the first online marketplace to facilitate cross-border transactions between China and the rest of the world and we continue to lead through innovation with this series of financial products. We see a world without limits and offering these microloans in China is just the first step. Once we have proven the model's effectiveness, there is no reason why this program can't be rolled out to offer the same opportunities to our international small business users," said Diane Wang.

As China's fastest growing B2B ecommerce platform, DHgate.com helped global SMEs complete over USD$300 million in trade in 2009. According to industry estimates, the online export market is expected to reach USD$10.2 billion in the next three years. To help SMEs benefit from the trend, in addition to the microloan initiative DHgate.com will launch a range of services and products aimed at empowering small businesses. Their supplier training program, which educates Chinese suppliers in best practices and services etiquette, was launched this year and will roll out to international trade businesses in the near future. Additionally, DHgate.com is planning to launch a network of Trade Assistance Centers across China and in major locations throughout the world.