Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday inaugurated Samuel Lifecare & Cosmetics Private Limited, established by Dr Lalrokhawma and his family at Lengpui Vengthar.
The company, which has undertaken three years of research and development, has begun manufacturing and marketing 46 varieties of cosmetics, nine home-care products and two food supplements.
Speaking at the inauguration, Lalduhoma said the establishment of Samuel Lifecare & Cosmetics was significant not only for Mizoram but could also mark an important milestone for the Northeast.
He noted that all the products manufactured by the company had been developed from formulations derived through its own research and development. In the field of cosmetics, he said, the company appeared to be among the first of its kind in the Northeast, describing the initiative as “planting a new seed for Mizoram and the Northeast”.
The Chief Minister said Mizoram spends substantial amounts every year on consumer goods, including cosmetics, most of which are brought in from outside the state and the country. As a result, much of the money earned by people in Mizoram flows out of the state, he said, making domestic production important for strengthening the state’s economy.
Lalduhoma said the government had been promoting entrepreneurship through various initiatives since assuming office. He highlighted the Handholding Scheme, or Bana Kaih, as a flagship initiative aimed at supporting people with the ability and skills to establish and develop enterprises.
He also referred to the Innovation Centre and Incubation Centre, which support new ideas and innovations, as well as the Bana Kaih Venture Capital Fund, which helps entrepreneurs turn their innovations into viable enterprises.
Acknowledging that the company was still at an early stage and had taken substantial loans to expand its operations, the Chief Minister assured Samuel Lifecare of the government’s continued support as it pursued sustainable growth.
He appealed to people in Mizoram to use the company’s products and urged shopkeepers to stock and promote them. He also encouraged e-commerce businesses to market the products beyond Mizoram and across India.
The Chief Minister further urged government offices to purchase and use products manufactured by the company, saying the government was committed to maximising the use of locally manufactured goods. He said the Mizoram Preferential Store Purchase Rules had been strengthened to give due importance to products made by entrepreneurs in the state.
Dr Lalrokhawma, founder of Skinfyx, said the company began its work three years ago and had focused on developing its products through research and formulation, with an emphasis on quality.
He said the company had developed its own formulations and was now capable of significantly scaling up production. With the support and patronage of consumers, he expressed confidence that the company could meet the entire demand for cosmetics and related products in Mizoram within six months.
Dr Lalrokhawma also said many existing customers had appreciated the products and continued to return for repeat purchases, which he said reflected their confidence in the products.
Most of the company’s products have been designed with refill options, he said, reducing the need to discard empty containers and promoting more sustainable consumption.