Laos’ first fragrance brand launched

Laos’ first fragrance brand ‘ HSMMFRAGRANCE’ has been launched offering an elegant aroma to cater to Lao and foreign perfume lovers. The brand, which offers many perfume products with different and unique smells, was launched on January 16 at the Parkson Shopping Mall in Vientiane, where the Lao perfume products are being sold. Addressing the Grand Launch , Soukthavy Chowdhury, Chairman of HSMM Fragrance described the launch of the Made-inLaos perfume brand as a milestone and a dream come true. “It has been our dream to have our own Luxury Fragrance brand after years of planning. I am proud to say that dream has finally started,” said the Chairman, who is of Indian origin but has Lao nationality through citizenship. Like the HSMM brand, which is known worldwide for using high quality agarwood oil for producing exquisite natural agarwood, the Lao fragrance products are also made from agarwood oil. Agarwood perfumes have a special appeal to people because of the oil’s deep religious and cultural significance. It is known for its mystic scent and “ambiance”. Aroma-favoured of Dok Cham Pa – the Lao national flower – is among several premium fragrance products, which Mr Soukthavy recommended perfume lovers to try their unique smells. “We have been blessed with such a beautiful national flower, “Dok Cham Pa”. It is in our culture, and tradition,” he told guests at the launch. “Our premium products, Dok Cham Pa, Sok Dee (which means good luck) and HSMM 1, our signature perfume, show the belief of HSMM FRAGRANCE and my belief also.” The launch was attended by honourable invited guests including Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savankhone Razmountry, Deputy Minister of Health Dr Phouthone Muongpak, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Sourioudong Soundala, Deputy Minister of Finance Bounleua Sinxayvolavong, President of the Khamphay Sana Group Khamphay Somsana, Indian Ambassador to Laos Dinkar Asthana, the Director General of the Economic Department of the Ministry of National Defence Khammy Larbounthan and Vice Chairman of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Thanongsinh Kanlaya. Incorporated in 2014, the company has established a perfume factory in Vientiane – the first of its kind in Laos to manufacture fragrance products that suit varied groups of customers on various occasions of use. The company will cater to the growing demand for perfumes in Laos in line with the expected growth in cosmetics and personal care industry. Perfumes have become essential today because of the heightened importance of personal appearance and grooming. The perfume industry was predicted to reach a value of about US$45.6 billion by 2018. The market is set to benefit from the growing trend towards consumer urbanisation and higher spending tendency. HSMM Fragrance Co., Ltd. will cater not only to consumers in Laos, but will also export its made-in-Laos products to the Asean, Middle East, Russia and South Africa markets. The company has so far exported its products to many countries including Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, China, Korea and Saudi Arabia and many other gulf countries. Mr Soukthavy said his products have received a positive response from both Lao and foreign clients who are eager to try made-in-Laos products. “One client called from Dubai and said they needed a sample of Dok Cham Pa. They wanted to see what Dok Cham Pa is because I told them that this is our national flower, the Lao national flower. It is smelled as it is and same FRAGRANCE you can get,” Mr Soukthavy told Lao reporters. “They say that everybody there is very interested in made-in-Laos because this is the first time in the world that has been made in Laos.” Laos’ first fragrance brand launched “We have received very good positive (responses). More than a thousand people visited our shop in the last three days,” he told Lao reporters on Wednesday. “They already shopped. They said they love the smells and the smell is quite long lasting.” The company plans to expand its perfume outlets to the world heritage town of Luang Prabang, Pakxe district in southern Champassak province, central Savannakhet province and at Lao duty-free shops so that Lao and foreign clients can easily buy the made-inLaos products, the pride of Laos. Having settled in Laos 21 years ago since 2000, the company chairman said the launch of the Lao brand perfume is a gift for the country. “HSMM wanted to give something back to Laos and HSMM wanted to present this nation, its own ‘Fragrance’” Mr Soukthavy told the launch ceremony. “We want to promote Laos globally. We want to show the entire world that we are a country driven by passion and by love.”