Hong Kong-based trading firm ATA Trade.biz will seek a Nasdaq listing to strengthen its branding and expand its mainland and global operations. Wholly owned by Tagalder, the company provides a trading portal for one-stop sourcing, merchandising, quality control and logistic services. Tagalder chief executive Peter Chun said Nasdaq status for ATA was the first step in becoming a leading player in its industry. 'We want to be like Alibaba[.com] in China,' he said. Alibaba.com is a Hangzhou-based business-to-business marketplace for small and medium-sized enterprises in China. Mr Chun said ATA was hoping not only to provide a trading platform but to buy into client companies. As a shareholder, ATA could represent its clients in price negotiations and even offer financing and loans if necessary. About 70 per cent of its clients are mainland manufacturers. 'We can better control the sources by becoming shareholders in the companies,' Mr Chun said, adding such a move could double the company's profit margin to about 20 per cent.
