Malaysia: Beauty and health entrepreneurs told take advantage of halal cosmetics demand

By NOR AIN MOHAMED RADHI – NEW STRAITS TIMES

KUALA LUMPUR: Halal cosmetics demand is on the rise, giving opportunities for local beauty and health entrepreneurs to compete in the market, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He said as halal cosmetics in the country had grown steadily since 1980s, with 10 and 20 per cent from the total local cosmetics market share, entrepreneurs must strive to capitalise the halal segment for cosmetics.

“Previously, halal product is mainly concentrated on food alone, but now it is increasingly expanding to other products including beauty-based.

“Furthermore, cosmetics are no longer exclusive for women as men are also willing to spend for the appearance.

“Therefore, local beauty and health entrepreneurs should take the opportunity to venture into the market as well as to expand their product internationally,” he said in his speech.

His speech was read out by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor during a hi-tea session with local beauty and health entrepreneurs today.

Najib said cosmetics were among the five main exports for lifestyle industry with value of RM1.25 billion last year.

“The export value for cosmetics between 2011 and 2016 stood at RM12billion,” he said.

Earlier, Nouvelle Beauty Centre Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Erni Dekritawati Yuliana Buhari in her speech requested for a dialogue session to held between the Prime Minister and the local beauty and health entrepreneurs.

“Maybe a dialogue session like National Transformation 2050 (TN50) perhaps, so that we can discuss about the future of local cosmetic products,” she said.