The Department of Trade and Industry through the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) will lead this year’s first participation to Cosmobeauté Vietnam on April 22-24, 2010 at Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center, Ho Chi Minh City in a bid to provide significant boost to the Philippine’s health and wellness industry. 

“The Philippine participation in Vietnam is an offshoot of the outbound business mission conducted by a Philippine contingent composed of local manufacturers last June 2009. The manufacturers met with potential distributors of Philippine-made products in Vietnam. The participation is also a part of the international promotion of BIO-Search, the health and wellness component of Manila F.A.M.E. International,” said CITEM Deputy Executive Director Thelma Dumpit-Murillo.  

The Philippines is one of Asia’s fastest growing markets for cosmetics and personal care products. About 78% of the market for cosmetics and toiletries in the Philippines are locally produced while 22% are imported. Out of the 78% locally produced cosmetics and toiletries, 10% of it is exported (Source: Department of Trade and Industry).  Countries where Philippine products are distributed include: US, United Kingdom, Australia, Korea, countries in the Middle East, and even as far as Egypt and Algeria. In addition to cosmetics and personal care products, the country is also promoted as an ideal health and wellness destination as highlighted by the accolades won by local spas, among which is at the Asia Spa Awards in Hong Kong for The Farm at San Benito. 

Manila F.A.M.E. International, the Philippines’ premier trade platform for home and fashion lifestyle, features the Philippine health and wellness industry every edition. It is scheduled on April 22-25 this year at the World Trade Center Manila.  

“We have three reasons for joining Cosmobeauté,” said Peping De Villa, proprietor of GIGA Ventures. “First is to explore the possibility of directly exporting to Vietnam, second is to look for a possible distributor and third is to know if there are products in the market similar to ours.” GIGA Ventures manufactures personal care products using VCO and is among the delegates to Cosmobeauté this year. “We really hope to be able to land our products in Vietnam,” De Villa adds. 

Long before virgin coconut oil (VCO) generated buzz globally, the Philippines was among the first countries to brand it for export, developing it into new products that appeal to the mainstream market— coconut butter/cream, scented coconut massage oils, shampoos, hydrating body lotions, and balms. Beeswax, which improves the appearance and consistency of creams and is far more superior than petroleum-based products, is likewise used for the manufacture of soaps, massage gels, vapor rubs, sun blocks, and insect repellants. Other natural ingredients used for personal care products in the Philippines are gugo, a plant whose extract is used for hair tonics, as well as lemon grass, ylang-ylang, pandan, and other aromatic plants for essential oils. 

Constant research and development has yielded new natural raw materials for personal care products. Pili oil, oil derived from a local nut, is now being used for skin care products that will soon be introduced internationally. 

Cosmobeauté Vietnam is the biggest beauty trade event in Vietnam. This trade fair, also held in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, links exhibitors with up and coming markets in Southeast Asia for cosmetics, beauty and spa products, and wellness equipment.  

Visit the Philippine pavilion at Hall A1, Ground floor of Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center. 

For more information, contact, CITEM’s Health and Wellness Division at tel. no.  (632) 8312483/ 8312201 loc. 228 and 214 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it