Jack Ma had an idea which made him a billionaire.

His idea was to set up a website where small- and medium-sized companies could list their products for other businesses to buy.

His online trading company, which he called alibaba.com, recently had the biggest share launch since Google.

He talks to Carrie Gracie about how he did it and whether China can produce enough fellow innovators to lead on the world stage.

Listen to the programme

First broadcast 18th April 2008