It's Time to Enter the Indian Market: Cellcosmet CEO

• CEO Tancrede Amacker expressed interest in entering India, considering distribution partners like Nykaa.
• Minister Piyush Goyal recommended starting with co-packing in India, with future manufacturing options.
• Goyal's trip aims to strengthen trade ties, with meetings in key sectors and discussions with Swiss leaders.

Tancrede Amacker, CEO of Swiss cosmetics firm Cellcosmet, on Monday showed clear intent that he wishes to enter India market.

"It was a wonderful meeting...we do high-end cosmetics, we sell high-end skincare made in Switzerland, and the idea is how could we enter India", said Tancrede Amacker.

He further added, "It's a wonderful country in terms of size and the population is humongous...We have the pleasure to serve the Indian customers in Singapore, in London or in Switzerland, but not yet in India, and it's time for us to enter... So we were discussing about the possibilities when it comes to distribution".

He has explicitly formulated an intent to enter the Indian market during a meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, who is presently on a two-day visit to Switzerland.

Goyal then proposed that Cellcosmet could embark at the co-packing level in India, potentially moving later into manufacturing. Cases will be scouted so that both of these stages can be carried out locally.

"The first step would be to enter India through a partner, so Nykaa could be one, that's kind of distribution partnership where we are help take I would say the understanding and the knowledge of the market and trying to adapt a business proposition to the Indian market", Tancrede Amacker explained.

He further stated, "A lot of Swiss colleagues will come along the way and we'll find out what are the best locations for us to implement. It's a wonderful investment destination. I mean that's the size of the market, but also the appetite for luxury goods as well is extremely strong. It's a very young and dynamic population, very educated as well, so it clicks, all I would say the right boxes for manufacturing and selling high-end cosmetics".

Minister Goyal's trip to Switzerland, as part of his official tour to Switzerland and Sweden from June 9-13, 2025, will have the objective of augmenting bilateral trade and investment.

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His ministry in a statement said, "This visit underscores India's steadfast commitment to deepening strategic and economic partnerships with key European nations, advancing robust trade and investment ties, and supporting a shared vision for resilient global growth".

The Minister will also meet various Swiss industry leaders for sectoral deliberations within Pharma, Life Sciences, and Precision Engineering. Other notable engagements include interacting with ICAI Zurich Chapter, the Indian media, and a significant meeting with Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to develop closer trade and diplomatic ties.

"A significant component of the high-level visit to Switzerland will include a series of one-on-one meetings with leading Swiss companies. Indian industry representatives will also participate in these crucial engagements, fostering direct dialogue and exploring specific collaboration opportunities. The day will also feature participation in the Swissmem Industry Day and a Business Round Table with the Swiss Mechanical and Electrical (MEM) Industry, where deliberations will focus on the potential and opportunities arising from the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)", added the Commerce Ministry.