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EBT Mobile, a China-based retail chain selling mobile phones and related products and services, Wednesday announced its Chinese subsidiary, EBT International Trading (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. expects, subject to completion of final contractual arrangements, to open 7 mobile phone stores in the next few weeks within hypermarkets operated by Tesco Hymall, Tesco plc’s vehicle for expansion into ChinaThe first EBT Mobile store within Tesco Hymall has opened Wednesday in Shanghai.

As part of Tesco plc’s international expansion strategy, it has acquired 90% of the equity of Hymall from Ting Hsin, one of China’s leading consumer food and beverage producers.

The 48 existing Hymall hypermarkets in China are mainly located in the east, north and northeast regions. Tesco plc has forecast that this number will increase to 56 by February 2008, as part of its Asian expansion policy.

The agreement with Tesco Hymall is an important step and the latest move in EBT Mobile’s strategy to enhance its expansion by rolling out stores within leading Chinese hypermarket chains. EBT Mobile already has similar agreements in place with Carrefour, Metro, Lotus, RT-Mart, Wu-Mart, Auchan and Trust-Mart (35% owned by Wal-Mart).

Zhang Ge, CEO of EBT Mobile, said:”EBT Mobile is delighted to be selected by Tesco Hymall as its mobile partner. Tesco has an outstanding international reputation and I believe China will become an important market for the U.K. retailer following its success in other Asian markets. Working with Tesco Hymall is another major step in our strategy to develop key relationships with world class hypermarket groups operating in China.

“EBT Mobile can leverage its competitive advantage of products, management and capital to establish an even bigger platform, starting in our home base of Shanghai. EBT Mobile will provide Tesco Hymall’s customers with a wide choice of mobile telephone products and services, while benefiting from a cost effective roll out of stores within the Tesco Hymall stores.”

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