LIFE Healthcare Group and CJ Olive Young Sign Landmark MOU to Accelerate K-Beauty Growth in the UAE and GCC

Abu Dhabi has become the backdrop for a major milestone in the region’s beauty and wellness sector as LIFE Healthcare Group, the UAE’s leading healthcare retail and distribution conglomerate, and CJ Olive Young, South Korea’s top health and beauty retailer, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding to establish a long-term strategic partnership. The agreement aims to accelerate the growth of the K-Beauty category across the UAE and the wider GCC, positioning the Emirates as a pivotal hub for Korean beauty innovation.

The signing ceremony, held in Abu Dhabi, was attended by Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade, and Yeo Han-koo, Minister for Trade of the Republic of Korea underscoring the strengthening economic collaboration and shared commitment to advancing bilateral trade between the two nations. The MOU was formalised by Adam Abdul Nazar, Deputy CEO of LIFE Healthcare Group, and Lee Suk Joon, Vice Chairman of CJ Corporation, the parent company of CJ Olive Young. Senior executives from both organisations were also present, reflecting the strategic importance and scale of this partnership.

Under the agreement, both entities will work together to expand and institutionalise the K-Beauty category within the UAE, one of the world’s fastest-growing beauty and skincare markets. Key areas of collaboration include category development, portfolio expansion, enhancing experiential retail, onboarding leading and emerging Korean beauty brands, and executing joint marketing and consumer engagement initiatives. This partnership is expected to enrich the consumer experience while strengthening the UAE’s status as a regional hub for beauty trends and innovation.

Speaking on the collaboration, Adam Abdul Nazar emphasised its transformative impact on the region’s beauty landscape, noting CJ Olive Young’s global reputation for curating cutting-edge beauty innovations. Lee Suk Joon highlighted the UAE’s position as one of the most dynamic beauty markets globally, expressing confidence that the partnership will introduce Korean beauty culture and innovation to a broader audience while laying a foundation for long-term growth across the GCC.