The cosmetics, toiletries and fragrance (CT&F) exports industry of Brazil recorded an accumulated growth of 165 percent, totaling SR1.975 billion from 2005 to 2007, according to ABIHPEC (Brazilian Toiletry, Perfumery and Cosmetic Association). In 2006, the appreciation of the real in relation to the dollar drove CT&F imports up 26.8 percent in comparison with the previous year, to total SR1.372 billion. Despite the unfavorable exchange rate, the trade balance continues positive at SR602.7 million. In its fifth consecutive participation in the Beautyworld Middle East, to be held on May 18-20 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Center, the Brazilian beauty industry will be presenting products that combine technological innovation and sustainable practices. Investing heavily and steadily in research and development, ABIHPEC said 30 percent of gross sales of the CT&F industry in Brazil were generated by products exported in the last two years. “Although ABIHPEC export project is relatively recent (it began in 2001), it already targets 135 countries worldwide, including many Middle Eastern, such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Syrian, Qatar, Yemen and Turkey”, said Eckhard Pruy, CEO of Epoc Messe Frankfurt. “About 70 thousand new cosmetics are launched every year on the Brazilian market, companies use the special properties of active ingredients found in the country's rich flora, especially from the Amazon region, as a source of inspiration and of raw materials to make cosmetics,” said Andrea Werner, senior show manager of Beautyworld Middle East. Cupuassu, for example, has a moisturizing power 240 percent greater than lanolin and also helps protect the hair fiber. Brazil nut, on the other hand, is rich in oleic acid, vitamins and proteins, and goes into making products ideal for guarding against aging. Assai has energetic active principles and its high concentration of anthocyanins (a pigment that prevents against cell degeneration) acts as a skin moisturizer and a softener. “Brazilian cosmetics have an important commitment to the tripod of sustainability. Our industry is engaged in being ecologically correct, economically feasible and socially fair. The positive response of the international market is proof that we are heading in the right direction,” said Joao Carlos Basilio da Silva, president of ABIHPEC. Brazil will be represented by many companies, among them, Betulla, Bonyplus, Force News, GUF Cosmeticos, Kanechom, L'acqua di Fiori, Nazca, Never, Nunnat Cosmetics, Phytophilo, Quasar Esthétique, Sther Cosméticos, Amazônia Natural, and many more, in coordination with ABIHPEC and support of Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. __
