Jakarta (ANTARA) - Domestic cosmetics are not inferior in quality to foreign products; moreover, local products are more suitable for the climate and the people, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki has opined.

“Our cosmetics are amazing. Maybe it's true that Indonesians are more suited to using local cosmetics because they are suited to our climate more," he said at the launch of the first iCantix&co outlet at Plaza Indonesia, here on Thursday.

Masduki lauded Plaza Indonesia for providing a space, such as the iCantix&co outlet, for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to showcase and sell their products.

He said he believes that the decision to offer a space for cosmetics MSMEs in malls like PI is the right one, considering that local cosmetics sales are at a high.

In 2020, global cosmetics sales reached US$145.3 billion, and they are expected to continue to grow by 3.6 percent per year during the 2020–2027 period.

Most Indonesian skincare products were exported to Southeast Asian nations, such as Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore, the main export destinations for the products. In 2020, the cumulative share of the three countries in Indonesia’s skincare exports reached 63.2 percent.

“I have heard the explanation that here there are 120 local brands, some already have 15 products, some have only 2 products. This really offers an opportunity for MSMEs. As long as the products are good, they can sell here," Masduki said.

Outlets such as iCantix&co are a solution for MSMEs, who still have limited average production capacity, he added.

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"I appreciate iCantix for providing a business concept that is very suitable for MSMEs so MSMEs can continue to develop their products," he remarked.

Meanwhile, CEO of iCantix&co, Haryani Simin, said that her team has helped more than 100 domestic beauty brands to meet the demand for skincare products, ranging from hair care, skincare, body care, to perfumes.

iCantix&co kicked off online in 2021, sharing beauty and personal care tips. In 2022, the team is using the online and offline marketing concept.

"Many (citizens) are able to offer choices to meet the demands of the domestic cosmetics market. I hope the national beauty industry continues to grow in domestic and international scope, and we promote #CantikAlaIndonesia together," she added.

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Translator: M Baqir I A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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