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Unilever sees China as No 1

(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2007-02-04 11:38

Unileverexpects sales in China to expand by double digits each year, and overtake India as its No 1 market in the Asia Pacific region in eight to 10 years.

The world's second-largestfoodand detergent company said that China is posting the fastest growth in sales among all of its markets around the globe.

"The booming consumer spending and surging economy fueled a strong sales performance in China," said Zeng Xiwen, vice president of Unilever China.

The Chinese market ranks third in the Asia Pacific, following India and Indonesia. Sales on the Chinese mainland jumped more than 20 percent to five billion yuan (US$644.7 million) last year, according to Zeng.

Unilever's brands range from Knorr soup to Dove soap, and the company has just moved its Chinese headquarters to a self-built office in westernShanghai- its third-largest office in the world.

The first phase of a 22,000-square-meter building accommodates 1,000 employees, while the 24,000-square-meter second phase, scheduled to be completed by next year, will become the company's second-largest research and development center. Total investment for the new facility is estimated at US$100 million.

"The new China headquarters will be upgraded into the regional center of the Asia Pacific, with staff and R&D people transferred here from Japan, Singapore, Australia and the United States," said Zeng.

Unilever's factory in Hefei,AnhuiProvince is also growing. An expansion will increase capacity to meet overseas demands. Ultimately, the Hefei factory will become the world's largest within the Unilever group, said Zeng.