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Published on December 7, 2007

The companies will distribute and market Schoeffel pearl jewellery in the region via business ventures, expanding the brand using Schoeffel's global network and experience.

Poh Kong executive chairman Datuk Eddie Choon Yee Seiong said it planned to open Schoeffel boutiques in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei and Vietnam.

"We are studying (the prospects) in other countries. Investment in each outlet will cost about US$1 million [Bt34 million]," he told reporters after Poh Kong and Schoeffel formally inked an exclusive distribution and marketing agreement yesterday.

Under the agreement, the German pearl-trading company gave Poh Kong the exclusive rights to be the sole carrier for Schoeffel products in Malaysia and expansion of the brand in Southeast Asia.

Schoeffel will also provide training and exchange technical knowledge for Poh Kong staff.

"We carry and use the brand Schoeffel for Poh Kong in Malaysia. In other Southeast Asian countries, we will represent Schoeffel under its own brand," Choon added.

In October, Poh Kong opened its first Schoeffel flagship boutique in Kuala Lumpur.

Poh Kong non-executive director Fazrin Azwar Md Nor said that in Malaysia, it was studying the prospects of opening either stand-alone boutiques or using its existing network to determine viable locations for Schoeffel.

"For overseas, we are collaborating with Schoeffel to study the potential in each country given to us," he said, adding that this would determine the number of boutiques to open in the region.

Choon said Poh Kong also considered adding between five and 10 outlets in Malaysia next year to its existing 89 outlets.

"We will open in Butterworth and Kuantan, while studying other locations. Each outlet will cost between 2 million and 3 million ringgit [Bt20 million-Bt30 million]," he added.

The Star

Asia News Network

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA