The alliance will bring innovative digital solutions to companies expanding globally and help China-based businesses enter new markets abroad

KPMG International and Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, today announced plans to form a global alliance to provide digital transformation to businesses of all sizes and across multiple industries initially in Asia-Pacific and Europe. The alliance was announced here at Alibaba's largest global customer and partner event, the Computing Conference 2018.

The alliance will focus on digital transformation, "new retail", IT strategy consulting and cloud-based digital solutions. Alibaba's strong cloud computing and artificial intelligence capabilities, together with KPMG's global network, global enterprise solutions, business acumen and knowledge of global industries with many Fortune 1000 companies will complement each other in helping customers to expand into new markets. The aim is to build a strong global ecosystem with cloud services and infrastructure, particularly serving organizations with multi-cloud strategies including small to medium-sized enterprises.

Moreover, the alliance will provide an avenue for KPMG clients in APAC and Europe seeking access to the China market to establish local cloud services from Alibaba Cloud.

As one of the world's leading global infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) providers, and China's largest provider of public cloud services, Alibaba Cloud will be the latest global cloud provider to join KPMG's alliance community, allowing KPMG member firms to offer businesses with multi-cloud strategies a single, independent advisor for cloud- and platform-based digital services and solutions.

Said Honson To, Chairman, KPMG China and Asia-Pacific region: "We're very pleased to form an alliance with Alibaba Cloud as this relationship will further our commitment to help clients address key transformation priorities in the areas of growth, innovation and operational efficiency. As businesses continue to embark on their cloud transformation strategies to address these challenges, they can feel confident that KPMG and Alibaba Cloud teams around the world together can address their specific needs for global, scalable, cloud-based digital solutions."

Simon Hu, President of Alibaba Cloud said, "Alibaba Cloud is excited to drive innovations across different industries and businesses together with KPMG and to address the ever-growing needs of high performance and secure cloud infrastructure. Through our alliance, we will help empower KPMG clients with cutting edge cloud technologies and experience to advance digital transformation in various verticals."

As part of the alliance, KPMG and Alibaba Cloud will form a joint strategy teams comprised of KPMG and Alibaba Cloud software and systems architects and engineers to develop cloud infrastructure solutions for clients expanding into new markets, with a focus on data security, regulatory compliance and seamless integration. KPMG specialists will receive training and certification in Alibaba Cloud enterprise internet architecture, cloud computing and security, big data, and robotic process automation (RPA).

About KPMG

KPMG China operates in 19 cities across China, with around 12,000 partners and staff in Beijing, Beijing Zhongguancun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xi'an, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. With a single management structure across all these offices, KPMG China can deploy experienced professionals efficiently, wherever our client is located.

KPMG is a global network of professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. We operate in 154 countries and territories and have 200,000 people working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.

In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in mainland China. KPMG China was also the first among the Big Four in mainland China to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership, as of 1 August 2012. Additionally, the Hong Kong office can trace its origins to 1945. This early commitment to the China market, together with an unwavering focus on quality, has been the foundation for accumulated industry experience, and is reflected in the Chinese member firm's appointment by some of China's most prestigious companies.

About Alibaba Group

Established in 2009, Alibaba Cloud (www.alibabacloud.com), the cloud computing arm of Alibaba Group, is among the world's top three IaaS providers according to Gartner, and the largest provider of public cloud services in China, according to IDC. Alibaba Cloud provides a comprehensive suite of cloud computing services to businesses worldwide, including merchants doing business on Alibaba Group marketplaces, start-ups, corporations and government organizations. Alibaba Cloud is the official Cloud Services Partner of the International Olympic Committee.