Jia De Bao scores first with red wine with tongkat Ali

KUALA LUMPUR: Jia De Bao Group Malaysia Sdn Bhd aims to introduce its Domaine Laurent Merlot, the world's first red wine infused with tongkat Ali, to international markets by the year-end.

Jia De Bao also signed an exclusive distributorship worth RM500,000 with GIT Tours and Travel Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday for the sale of its first batch of 8,000 bottles of Domaine Laurent.

"Besides Malaysia, we aim to tap into other countries, especially Asean countries and China by the end of the year," Dr Liu Min, the founder chairman of Jia De Bao Group Malaysia, told reporters at the launch of the made-in-Malaysia red wine on Thursday.

Liu said the group had spent several million ringgit on research and development (R&D) into the high-end product, which contains 20% tongkat Ali essence.

"We hope Malaysia could have its own brand, in which tongkat Ali, the Malaysian product that is equivalent to Ginseng, can enter international markets," he said.

He revealed that in the near future, the company plans to produce some 20,000 bottles of several different types of red wine monthly.

Meanwhile, GIT Tours and Travel managing director Cindy Seow Chooi Ling said the company, as the sole distributor of Domaine Laurent, was targeting mainly overseas markets while in Malaysia it sees luxury or five-star hotels as a major market.

Only 25% to 30% of Domaine Laurent would be distributed in Malaysia, the rest will be promoted overseas, she said, adding that Singapore and China are among countries with huge market potential.

Seow said the first batch of Domaine Laurent, priced at RM2,000 per 750ml bottle, are expected to be sold out in the next nine to 12 months.

Also present was the advisor to the Group, Tan Sri Ong Tee Keat. Ong, the former transport minister and former MCA president, expressed hope more R&D could be conducted on Malaysian products, especially Malaysian-grown tongkat Ali, to showcase real Malaysian brands to the international markets. - Bernama