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December 4, 2008
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Direct Selling News
Global Landscape

Stories in this section:
Mannatech to Explore Uganda Biodiversity
Royal BodyCare Announces Korean Expansion

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Making Headlines
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Mannatech to Explore Uganda Biodiversity

Mannatech Incorporated, a global wellness solutions provider and leader in proprietary glyconutritional supplements, is training three Ugandan chemists in the rigorous process of collecting plants, extracting their compounds and identifying the functional ingredients.

“Uganda is home to an estimated 30 percent of the world’s biodiversity,” said Dr. Robert Sinnott, Mannatech’s Chief Science Officer. “A number of their plants probably have substantial functional value. Although European pharmaceutical firms have offered to negotiate harvesting rights with
Uganda, none have offered the nation much in return.” Mannatech believes Uganda’s glyconutrient research will uncover sources of high-quality plant sugars that could enhance the company’s proprietary glyconutritional products. In turn, Uganda would have the opportunity to advance its national effort to promote health and create an industry around one of its most abundant natural resources.

Mannatech’s products are dietary supplements, which are classified as food. These products do not prevent or treat disease. If new glyconutritionals can be found, such products could be used to boost the immune systems both of Mannatech’s customers and others worldwide, thereby promoting health and well-being.

“The world is desperately looking for nutritional discoveries that can improve our quality of life. We’re excited to have the opportunity to assist in exploring Uganda’s rich biodiversity and to share these potentially new
glyconutritional plant sources with the world,” said Sam Caster, Mannatech CEO and Chairman of the Board.“

Traditional healers play a significant health care role in our country,” said Alfred Nyero, one of the three Ugandan chemists training at Mannatech. Uganda President Yoweri Museveni has diligently pushed the nation toward recognizing and elevating the role of traditional healing. The Ugandan parliament is working to pass the Traditional Medicine Bill, which would integrate the crafts plied by local healers into the national health-care system by creating training programs for healers and establishing working relationships with medical doctors.
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Royal BodyCare
Announces Korean Expansion

Royal BodyCare Inc. announced the formation of a wholly owned subsidiary, RBC Sciences Korea Ltd., in Seoul, South Korea. The new branch is planning to begin sales of RBC nutritional supplements in January 2006 through the company’s same direct-to-consumer sales system used in the United States and other countries.

The company announced its expansion plan after receiving approval of a credit facility from Summit Bank of Fort Worth, Texas.

Wayne Holbrook, RBC President, stated “We are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. John Shin to Chief Executive Officer of the subsidiary. He is a native Korean who holds a master’s degree from a U.S. university. I worked with John in a previous company and had the opportunity to witness his exceptional skills as a management executive.

“South Korea is one of the best markets in the world for direct sales of consumer products. After the successful acceptance of our line of nutritional supplements, as well as our business opportunity, by large numbers of Korean distributors in the United States, we feel confident that RBC Life Sciences will be well received in Korea.”

Trevor Scofield, the company’s V.P., International, who has been in charge of developing the Korean business plan said, “Our initial line of RBC products has been approved by the Korean government, and essential regulatory requirements have been met.

“RBC’s state-of-the-art software system in Irving, Texas, connects with our international offices, records sales, converts funds according to local exchange rates, and calculates commissions for distributors and their sales organizations seamlessly across national boundaries. The Korean office will operate as a branch of this advanced system.

“The new office is located in an appropriate business district of Seoul, with convenient access to public transportation. Experienced Korean personnel have been selected to support Mr. Shin and our sales associates in building the business of RBC Life Sciences, Korea.”

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