But Pomelo co-founder Rachael Storaas says Pomelo was never going to be solely foreign-owned. She and her team had planned to set up a joint-venture in order to expand the company so it could provide more training and profits to a growing number of producers. It was always going to be a non-profit, Myanmar-focused business, she insists.
“Pomelo is not about foreigners against Myanmar nationals,” she said. “It is about working together. It is to show that Myanmar products are successful, well-made, ethically produced products. And we helped to design, develop and sell these products.”
During a messy and tumultuous February, both sides have sought legal counsel. The Myanmar Times was provided with threatening emails from a PCL adviser, in which the person suggested the recipient could face a protracted court case and deportation. Surveillance cameras at the store also showed the PCL adviser pushing Ulla Kroeber, the former lead designer, during an altercation on February 17