Interview: Lebanese organic soap maker plans to open flagship boutique in China's capital

Source: Xinhua| 2020-10-28 18:11:31|Editor: huaxia

by Dana Halawi

BEIRUT, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- Badr Hassoun, owner of Khan El Saboun, a 600-year-old Lebanese family business trading in organic soaps, is planning to open a flagship boutique in Beijing, China's capital, by next year.

"We were planning to open this shop earlier, but the outbreak of COVID-19 worldwide postponed our project till next year hopefully," Hassoun told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday during a small celebration that took place at Badr Hassoun's Eco Village in Koura, north of Lebanon, on the occasion of launching his new products.

Khan El Saboun is specialized in soap making in various forms from aromatic and therapeutic soaps to essential oils, creams, and skin care products, all made naturally.

"We work on our own agriculture and grow our plants and seeds and use them in our products to preserve our identity," the owner said.

The Lebanese soap maker has been exporting to Chinese mainland for the past five years.

"The value of our exports to China has been increasing gradually as Chinese appreciate products that are made naturally and they can notice the difference that such products create for their skin, hair and whole body," Hassoun said.

He estimates that the yearly exports to China stand at over 1 million U.S. dollars, while retail sales inside China amount to at least 8 million dollars.

Hassoun believes that China is one of the most important markets for his products given the big number of population and the appreciation by the population for natural products.

"We have agents, subagents, freelancers and affiliation programs in China which help in promoting our products," he told Xinhua.

Khan El Saboun plans to participate in the China International Import Expo (CIIE) by introducing its new products. The CIIE is a yearly event that allows countries and regions all over the world to strengthen economic cooperation and trade and its third edition will take place in November. Enditem

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