The Paul Penders e-Newsletter: September 2007

In This Issue:
Japanese QVC Crew Films in Langkawi
International Delegates Learn About Natural Skin Care
LADA Chief Describes Vision for Langkawi Geopark
Meet the New Faces at Paul Penders!

Japanese QVC Crew Films in Langkawi

In August 2007, a television crew from Japanese QVC arrived in Langkawi to profile Paul Penders products. The one-hour show, which will air in October throughout Japan, Germany and the U.K., focuses on Paul Penders Intensive Clarifying Therapy (ICT) and Time Release Shampoo. Paul Penders products have long been popular in Asia and the new shampoo has been particularly well received in Japan.

The segment was filmed on-site at Paul Penders Langkawi headquarters, as well as on location in the Langkawi rainforest and the beautiful Rebak Island Resort Spa. It included descriptions of the products’ unique herbal ingredients, discussion of the Paul Penders cold processing technique and demonstrations of the products in Rebak Island Resort Spa’s Tropical Spa Therapy suite.

Now sold in department stores across Japan, Paul Penders Time Release Shampoo took over two years to develop and is currently the only time release shampoo available in the world. It is designed to first cleanse the scalp, ensuring a healthy foundation for beautiful, shiny hair; then form a thick lather to cleanse the hair itself. These unique capabilities have made it one of the best selling products through the Paul Penders Internet store, with a loyal following of customers throughout the U.K., Korea and other countries.

ICT is a deep cleansing treatment that detoxifies the skin to remove harmful impurities. Prior to application, it is activated by combining its liquid and powder components to create a fresh, highly potent paste that leaves the skin silky soft and clear.

For more information about the time release shampoo, please click here. For details about ICT, please click here.

International Delegates Learn the Benefits of Natural Skin Care

In August 2007, Paul Penders introduced the wives of 50 world leaders to natural organic skin and hair care products. The ladies had accompanied their husbands to Langkawi for The Eighth Langkawi International Dialogue, a meeting hosted by Malaysian officials to promote the country’s “prosper thy neighbor” and “win-win” smart partnership objectives.

As part of the women’s program, the Paul Penders product line was demonstrated and the unique benefits of herbal ingredients were explained. Many of the participants had not been aware of the many differences between natural and synthetic skin care products.

About 500 participants took part in the Dialogue, including 42 Heads of State and Government from six ASEAN member states, seven Asian countries and twenty-one African nations. Other top government officials, academicians, business executives, social activists, economists and youth leaders also participated. This Dialogue explored possible solutions to human capital development, capacity building and poverty, with a theme of Poverty Eradication through Human Capital Development and Capacity Building.

Malaysia hosted the LIDs in 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2004. The objectives over the years had been to foster the principles of partnership among government, business and social sectors. Those meetings had succeeded in promoting trade between Malaysia and several African countries as well as in establishing networking between Malaysian businesses and companies overseas.

GM Describes Vision for Langkawi Geopark

At a luncheon hosted at Kilim Geoforest Park in late August by natural cosmetics manufacturer Paul Penders, Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) General Manager Dato’ Kamarulzaman Abdul Ghani (left) described his vision for the island following its designation earlier this year as a UNESCO Geopark.

“Langkawi was the first Geopark in Southeast Asia,” he said. “We want to lead the way for the region to develop more Geoparks.”

Derived from the word, “geology”, or study of the earth, the term Geopark refers to an area that has significant rock formations as well as unique landscapes. In 2000, the United Nations Education, Social and Culture Organization (UNESCO) established the concept as a means to encourage appreciation and protection of the environment. Since then, more than 60 Geoparks have been designated around the world. Eighteen of these are in China. In mid 2007, UNESCO updated its requirements so that each country can now have only two Geoparks.

Designation as a Geopark could provide an important boost for tourism, as a way to publicize an area’s natural beauty.

General Manager Kamarulzaman said that Langkawi is being advertised heavily. The emphasis, he said, is on the island’s tourist value, rather than its interest for geologists.

He hopes to retain Langkawi’s natural beauty while expanding its tourist infrastructure. “We envision Langkawi as a friendly, educational, relaxing destination. We don’t want to compete with Phuket,” said Kamarulzaman.

Phuket is one of Thailand’s most popular tourist destinations but is also known for its busy nightlife and city-like feel.

Over the past 16 years, the Federal Government of Malaysia has invested more than RM2 billion developing the 99 islands of Langkawi. Going forward, said general manager Ghani, development will continue on Tuba Island with a new road and observation deck to be built at Wang Buluh cave, a coastal road and a motorcycle crossway at Tuba-Selat Bagan Nyior. Other projects include walkways and an observation deck at KilimGeoparkForest, boardwalks at Dayang Bunting Lake and new signs at all Langkawi tourist attractions.

The timing of the development coincides with the prediction made by an old island legend. According to the tale, Langkawi was cursed by a woman who was falsely accused by her mother-in-law of having an affair. The lady vowed that if she were innocent, her blood would flow white after she was put to death, and Langkawi would languish for seven generations. Her blood did reportedly turn white and after many years of relative obscurity, Langkawi is now starting to enjoy a growing tourist trade.

Meet the New Faces at Paul Penders!

Paul Penders is growing! This summer, three new people joined the company: Aini (far left), Radha (center right), and Hong (far right).

Aini is an account executive in charge of the accounting department, and began her career at Paul Penders in June 2007. For the prior 14 years, she worked as an administrative assistant at a property management company in Langkawi.

Previously a manager at the Rebak Island Resort Spa in Langkawi, Radha joined Paul Penders in July 2007 and handles administration and operations management for the company. She particularly enjoys organizing events, and is adept at coordinating the activities of the many visitors that travel to Langkawi to meet with the company.

Hong also joined Paul Penders in July, having previously worked in administration for award-winning Malaysia Airlines for the past 14 years. Hong is an operations assistant in charge of purchasing and shipping.

Included in the photo is Azizah (center left), who has handled quality control for Paul Penders for the past two years.