ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Thursday that Pakistan offered a large consumer market comprising 220 million people, an ideal geographical location, cheap labour and pro-business laws introduced by the government.
He said this during a meeting with Procter & Gamble (P&G) Vice Chairman, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Jon R. Moeller, P&G Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa President Magesvaran Suranjan and P&G Pakistan Vice President Sami Ahmed.
Prime Minister Imran Khan lauded P&G’s efforts and said that Pakistan is gearing up towards new horizons as the government is working hard to ensure that the country transforms into an attractive place for business.
“Special incentives are being provided on the export-oriented products being manufactured in the country,” he added.
Expressing his views, Jon R. Moeller said, “P&G is committed to serving consumers with superior products that improve everyday life. For almost three decades, we have improved Pakistani lives through world-renowned P&G brands, investment in manufacturing facilities, the creation of direct and indirect employment, as well as helping communities in need.
“The support received from the Government of Pakistan over the years has been instrumental for our successful operations in the country. With the potential Pakistan has to offer, we remain committed to future growth and long-term investment in the country. Our strong partnership with the Government of Pakistan will help us to continue to serve Pakistani consumers in the years ahead.”
For over 28 years, P&G Pakistan has been serving consumers with high quality brands. P&G has already brought valuable foreign direct investment into Pakistan by expanding its local manufacturing footprint and has made significant investments of over $150 million in fixed assets to date in the country.
Its manufacturing plants at Port Qasim and Hub enable over 60pc of its business in Pakistan to be locally produced, allowing the company to better serve its consumers. Moreover, P&G’s latest hair care manufacturing plant investment of over $50 million is a vote of confidence in the future of the country.
Recently, P&G Pakistan started the export of Safeguard, a renowned P&G brand and one of Pakistan’s leading anti-bacterial soaps, to over 20 European countries. This export is estimated to contribute more than $10 million to the country’s exchequer on an annual basis.
Earlier this year, P&G Pakistan announced its support for the Prime Minister’s ‘Clean Green Pakistan’ Movement through its Paak Saaf Pakistan initiative. Under this, over the next 3 years, it will i) provide 50 million liters of clean drinking water, helping an estimated 250,000 people in need via its Children Safe Drinking Water programme and ii) create cleanliness and hand-washing awareness amongst 5 million children via its Safeguard School Education Programme.
Through its social-cause programs, P&G has provided clean drinking water, health and hygiene awareness and quality education, reaching over 49 million Pakistanis to date.
P&G is also keen to play its part in line with the Government of Pakistan’s ‘Job Creation Strategy’ which includes a special focus on skill-building. Over the years, P&G has recruited and developed local talent and contributed to their progress in line with the company’s ‘promote from within’ culture. P&G’s investments continue to yield socio-economic benefits in the country through the creation of over 6000 direct and indirect employment opportunities and development of a local supplier base, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in local value addition.
While cherishing the role of P&G a US multinational company, it is high time that they come in the Pakistan 220 million consumer market by bringing more products in the cosmetic and beauty enhancing products and services by replacing sub standard and fake consumer products prevalent in the market.