Health & beauty: After the opening, Associate Director General of Investment Promotion Simon Galpin gets some beauty tips from a Nu Skin consultant.

US-based Nu Skin Enterprises, one of the world's largest direct-sales companies, has opened an $8-million shopping plaza in Causeway Bay.

At the opening, Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong Simon Galpin said the investment "shows the attraction of Hong Kong as a regional centre for retail where multinational companies can grow and expand their business."

Hong Kong also commands an ideal location on the doorstep of China, the world's manufacturing centre, Mr Galpin added.

Corey Lindley, Nu Skin Enterprises' Executive Vice President and President of Greater China, said his company's investment "is a vote of confidence in the future of the local retail sector. Hong Kong provides a favourable business environment for international direct selling companies like us."

He added that Nu Skin would continue to expand operation in Hong Kong, and stressed that the opening of Nu Skin Enterprises Plaza was an important milestone.

"Our strategy is to expand local operations, educate our sales force and consumers about our products. In this way, we are establishing a base for long-term business growth in Hong Kong and eventually in mainland China, where we see great potential."

General Manager of Nu Skin Enterprises Hong Kong Angela Lau said this year marks the company's 12th anniversary in Hong Kong. "There is no better way to demonstrate our success in this city than opening a new store. In fact, we have seen double-digit growth in Hong Kong since 2000," she added.