美国营销作业写作-Avon welcomes deal to scrap China direct sales ban

美国营销作业写作Factiva Dow Jones Avonwelcomes deal to scrap China direct sales ban.

(c) 1999 Reuters Limited
NEW YORK, April 16 (Reuters) - Avon Products Inc. , the world's largest direct seller of beauty products, on Friday said it welcomed last week's agreement between China and the U.S. to scrap all market access restrictions on direct selling.
China's ban on direct sales, announced last April, threatened hundreds of millions of dollars of investments by Avon and other companies including Amway Corp, Sara Lee Corp and Mary Kay Cosmetics.
Avon said the current agreement, which would remove the bans by 2003, is contingent on the development of direct selling regulations as well as certain World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations between the U.S. and China. The two nations are currently hashing out a market access deal that could lead to U.S. support of China's entry into the 134-member WTO.
As a result of the direct selling ban, Avon has been operating on a smaller scale as a wholesale and retail business in China since being relicensed last June.
"We are delighted with China's decision to allow the resumption of direct selling operations," said Charles Perrin, Avon's chief executive officer, in a statement.
"As the first direct selling company to enter the Chinese market, Avon remains thoroughly committed to the opportunities this promising region offers for growing our business and providing meaningful earnings opportunities to thousands of Chinese citizens."
((New York Newsdesk (212) 859-1700)).
(C) Reuters Limited 1999.