Alibaba Group has bid US$2.3 billion to buy out shareholders of its publicly-listed subsidiary Alibaba.com (1688.HKG) and take the unit private, The Wall Street Journal reported. The group, which owns 73% of the listed company, will offer HKD13.5 (US$1.74) per share for other shareholders’ equity, about 46% above the company’s listed price on Tuesday. Trading of the firm’s stock resumed February 22 after being suspended on February 9. “Taking Alibaba.com private will allow our company to make long-term decisions that are in the best interests of our customers and that are also free from the pressures that come from having a publicly listed company,” said Jack Ma, the group’s chairman. The firm said that it will focus on improving the quality of its product platform, rather than increasing membership rolls. The deal appeared to be unrelated to ongoing negotiations with Yahoo (YHOO.NASDAQ) to buy back its 40% stake in Alibaba Group.