Pakistan's Dream Of Exporting Dairy Products To Come True

ISLAMABAD (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 02nd Feb, 2017 ) : The recent agreement of Dutch company Friesland Compina with Engro Foods to acquire 51 per cent shares, worth over $450 million would help the country to export dairy products from Pakistan especially to Central Asian and the Gulf states.

"The FrieslandCompina will make Pakistan's dream of exporting dairy products true by bringing the local dairy industry at par with international standards ", the global Chief Executive Officer of FrieslandCampina, Roelof Joosten said.

Addressing a dinner hosted by newly appointed CEO of Engro Foods Hans Larakker here on Wednesday night, Mr Joosten said the partnership with Engro Foods would accelerate Friesland Campina's vision for 2020.

"I am looking forward to working closely with Engro Corporation, Engro Foods and the Pakistani authorities on elevating the dairy sector to provide healthy and nutritious dairy products for the Pakistani market", he said adding this would contribute to the development of the whole country, benefiting consumers and dairy industry alike.

FrieslandCampina is one of the world's largest dairy companies owned by 19,000 member farmers, with annual revenues of more than EUR 11 billion. FrieslandCampina provides dairy products to millions of consumers worldwide everyday through its expansive global footprint with activities in over 32 countries, exporting to over 100 countries and employing over 22,000 people worldwide.

Meanwhile Minister for Food Security and Research, Sikandar Hayat Khan Bosan said Engro food is expected to bring a positive change in the country under new investments through its 2020 vision, to go for higher milk quality, variety of milk packages and products and farmers' capacity building.

Moreover, he said consumers would have more choice for dairy products. "I am confident that Engro Food with its new partnership with Friesland Company will become the leader in export of dairy and dairy products from Pakistan" he said adding with innovative approach of dairy processing, value addition and marketing, Engro Foods would set new standards for its competitors thus making available quality milk for the local consumption as well as increasing the export avenues of dairy and dairy products from Pakistan.

Minister for Commerce, Engineer Khurram Dastgir Khan said this vital and crucial investment came at a very important stage when Pakistan's economy was set to take off and there was much space for foreign companies to investment in agriculture and livestock sector.

He said Engro Foods and FrieslandCompina would not only serve Pakistan's consumers by providing high quality dairy products but also it the consumers of all Central Asian and the Persian Gulf states.

He said after a bad period of over a decade, Pakistan was now coming out of energy and law and order crisis. Chairman of Engro Company, Hussain Dawood in his welcome address said to partner with FrieslandCompina was truly a historic event which would bring a revolution in dairy sector of Pakistan.

He said due to restoration of peace and rapidly reduction of energy crisis, more global companies were coming to Pakistan for investment which would be a win-win situation for both parties. APP/maw/kmd � 16:00/17:07/17:07