Written by: Muneera Ahmed
Najlaa Mohammed Ali Al-Sarihi, the founder of "Kareen" products for detergents and shampoo manufacturing, stands out for her ambition and determination. Through her small industrial project, she aspires to establish a Yemeni brand that competes in the local detergent market as an alternative to imported products. Her diverse range of products, catering to dry and oily hair as well as conditioners, has gained recognition at local exhibitions. These exhibitions have showcased her products across various Yemeni governorates, thanks to their high quality and affordability tailored to Yemeni families.
Najlaa began her venture in 2021 after securing loans and training grants in project management and marketing from the Ramz Foundation for Development. With approval from the Yemeni Standards and Metrology Authority, she officially launched her small business under the brand name Kareen, licensed by the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
In an interview with Investment Magazine, Najlaa mentioned that her product has received an excellent grade in official testing by relevant authorities, which gives her the confidence to compete with imported dishwashing liquids.
Her manufacturing activities encompass a variety of household cleaning products, including dishwashing liquids, liquid body soaps, toilet bleach, wood polish gel, fabric bleach (Clorox), fabric softeners, and hair conditioners. All these products are crafted by Yemeni hands with high quality, providing an affordable alternative to the often-expensive imported cleaning and shampoo products.
Challenges for Women Entrepreneurs
Najlaa notes that women entrepreneurs currently face several challenges, chief among them being a lack of sufficient capital and access to high-quality raw materials at reasonable prices. Additionally, a negative perception of locally made products—viewed as inferior—poses a significant hurdle to product marketing.
She believes these challenges can be addressed by supporting startup projects, marketing their products, ensuring easier access to raw materials, facilitating loans, and providing dedicated spaces to sell these products. Furthermore, she emphasizes the importance of ongoing training and development for women entrepreneurs to help them stay updated with the latest techniques to improve their businesses.
Proposals for Overcoming Obstacles
Najlaa suggests that partnerships with suppliers of raw materials for entrepreneurial projects should be established, with pricing set at affordable levels. This would allow for the production of items that align with the budget of the average Yemeni consumer while maintaining quality. Supporting women entrepreneurs through accessible resources, training, and better market opportunities is essential to driving local industry forward.
Comments