KUALA LUMPUR, Health and wellness company Herbalife Ltd, in its survey, revealed that 61 per cent of Malaysian respondents believe that 2024 is an ideal year to launch a small business. Additionally, Herbalife said nearly 90 per cent of Malaysian respondents either own a business or aspire to start one. In terms of opportunities in the health and wellness sector, as seen from both consumer spending and business potential perspectives, it said that over half (56 per cent) of respondents in Malaysia planned to increase spending in the sector this year. Herbalife noted that aspiring Malaysian entrepreneurs ranked health and wellness as the fifth (13 per cent) most attractive industry to start a business in, after the food and beverage (62 per cent), retail (29 per cent), technology (24 per cent) and professional services (16 per cent). Commissioned by Herbalife and conducted by Talker Research in June 2024, the 'Asia Pacific Business of Wellness' survey looked at entrepreneurial ambitions and opportunities as well as health and wellness spending trends in the Asia-Pacific region. It polled 8,000 respondents in 11 countries, namely Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 'The optimism we are seeing is remarkable, with 71 per cent of Malaysians feeling positive about starting their own business. 'However, respondents also expressed some concerns about the economy. This is why business models with low startup costs are important,' said Herbalife Malaysia and Singapore senior director and general manager Steven Chin in a statement. Source: BERNAMA News Agency