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Bertelsmann Group, Europe’s biggest media group, has announced that one of its subsidiaries has established a joint venture in China with two leading local mobile phone distributors, its first foray into the country’s booming logistics market.
Arvato Services, Bertelsmann’s subsidiary, will take a 51% stake in the the joint venture, to be based in Shenzhen, will provide logistics services to mobile phone handset distributors and retailers.
China Daily said the the joint venture is expected to distribute at least 10 million mobile phones in 2009, according to Raoul Kuetemeier, president of the new venture.
The Telling Group is a distributor of mobile communication products, as an agent for brands such as Motorola, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson.
The Sinomaster Group has 100,000 handset outlets in third- and fourth-tier cities.