(Yicai) Nov. 22 -- Alibaba Group Holding has combined all of its e-commerce operations into a single unit to streamline the structure, reduce internal inefficiencies, and strengthen its competitive edge in global markets. The internet giant also named veteran executive Jiang Fan as the new group’s chief executive officer.

The new unit, officially called Alibaba E-commerce Business Group, brings together the Chinese company’s domestic and international operations, including Taobao, Tmall, AliExpress, Alibaba.com, Lazada, Trendyol, 1688, and Idle Fish, Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu said in a letter to employees yesterday.

Jiang, who headed Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group, will report directly to Wu.

It marks the first time that Alibaba’s e-commerce operations are under one roof and a single leader, reflecting the growing overlap in the supply chains between the businesses, the need to reduce ‘internal friction’ among its various business units, enhance organizational synergy, and improve operational efficiency, it said.

The move follows the Hangzhou-based company splitting itself into six independently operated business units early last year in the biggest organizational shakeup of its 24-year history.

"Alibaba needs to integrate all its e-commerce resources to better serve domestic and global consumers while helping more small and medium-sized enterprises expand simultaneously in domestic and international markets,” Wu said.

“Global supply chain, fulfillment, and consumer service capabilities will determine future market competition," according to Wu.

Editors: Tang Shihua, Martin Kadiev