Love Potions Brewing In Singapore

Fragrances aimed at getting Singaporeans in the mood for love will soon be sold abroad, after being used by the government in a campaign aimed at boosting the city-state's declining birth rate.

His and hers "Romancing Singapore Eau de Parfum" will soon be exported to Asia, North America and Europe, said Jan Chan, marketing manager for the company that handles the scents, Cosmetical Asia Pte. Ltd.

The perfumes - a floral essence for her and a musky scent for him - were created by chemistry students from Singapore Polytechnic prep school to coincide with the island country's Romancing Singapore campaign in February.

The Romancing Singapore campaign is a government effort to boost the country's record-low birth rate by helping its citizens find love. In an effort to pair off the unmarried, the government sponsors programs ranging from first date tips for clueless males to the baking of heart-shaped pizzas - ready to share.

The perfumes are being marketed globally because of their "overwhelming popularity," Singapore Polytechnic said in a statement.

"14,000 bottles of the perfumes handed out at various Romancing Singapore events were snapped up and an additional 3,000 limited edition bottles were sold out in record time," it said, without elaborating.

The perfumes will be sold in 50-milliliter bottles at 49 Singapore dollars (US$29.70) locally beginning on Friday.