Malaysia Hosts Large, Upscale Incentive Group of 2,300 from Japan

February 11, 2013

Malaysia recently hosted a large incentive group of 2,300 from Japan’s upscale cosmetics production and distribution brand, POLA, who arrived in Kuala Lumpur Feb. 5.

The incentive programme, supported by the Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), was participated by 150 company officials and top sales staff from various parts of Japan.

“Connections were made by Minister of Tourism Malaysia, Dato Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen during her recent visit to Japan. Mr. Hiroki Yokoyama, the President of POLA was convinced by the Minister to implement its incentive programme in Malaysia, given that it is a country conducive for business events coupled with the availability of a myriad of interesting activities that is unique to the country,” said Zulkelfli Hj Sharif, CEO of MyCEB.

He added, “We have also offered our support to ensure the programme’s success. The incentive tour is estimated to generate RM 24 million in economic impact for the country.”

MyCEB, as a conduit of business events in Malaysia, provided its assistance from the beginning of the group’s arrival. Arrangements were made to assure that POLA’s visit to Malaysia begins from the airport with fast track immigration clearance and police escorts for smooth traffic.

“The Government of Malaysia has put in place several programmes to attract incentive and business groups to Malaysia as part of a bigger economic agenda to make Malaysia a developed nation. Under the Economic Transformation Programme, business tourism has been identified as one of the focus points for the Ministry of Tourism,” said Dato’ Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yen. 

During their visit to Malaysia, POLA hosted a grand scale award ceremony at the prestigious Putrajaya International Convention Centre (PICC). 

The dinner was attended by the Minister of Tourism Malaysia,Dato’ Seri Dr. Ng Yen Yenand the Director General of Tourism Malaysia, Dato’ Mirza Mohammad Taiyab.

“POLA’s incentive tour has exceeded the number of participants in similar past large incentive groups from Japan such as SUBARU, the automobile manufacturing division of Japanese transportation conglomerate Fuji Heavy Industries and HOMER ION, a Japanese cosmetics companyfeaturing its flagship brand, Moisteane, whichhad 700 top sales staff to Malaysia back in 2007,” Zulkefli said.  

POLA, headquartered in Tokyo, is one of the largest cosmetic companies in the world with annual sales of more than $1.8 billion, and is the No. 1 direct selling cosmetic company in Japan.

The company was founded in 1946 and has grown to more than 1,300 employees and 100,000 independent POLA beauty consultants across fifteen countries on four continents.

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