Procter and Gamble's (P&G) detergent brand "Ariel" will now be manufactured in Pakistan, as state-of-the-art production plant was inaugurated at Port Qasim, which is expected to create 3500 job opportunities over next 10 years. Acting Governor Sindh Nisar Ahmed Khoro and US Ambassador, Cameron Munter inaugurated detergent production plant of P&G at Port Qasim here on Tuesday.
Khoro, who was chief guest, said that the establishment of this state-of-the-art plant was a milestone. "It is a moment of pride for us that P&G's detergent brand will now be manufactured in Pakistan,". He said that the investment by P&G shows its commitment with Pakistan and which also suggested stability in the country and Pakistan's economy is moving on the right path. Khoro said hopefully P&G would continue to work and expand its business in the country and would also nurture local talent in Pakistan.
Cameron addressing at the occasion said that P&G has build strong foundation here in Pakistan with firm commitment. The investment of $40 million is expected to bring about 3500 direct and indirect job opportunities over the next ten years, he added. He said that the plant is also estimated to create hundreds of millions of dollars in local value addition to the economy of Pakistan resulting in significant local supplier base development over next ten years. 40 percent of the raw and packing materials will be sourced from within Pakistan, he added. He said that this is a kind of relationship of American business and international business to contribute in Pakistan's economic development.
Munter said that we in the US Government are in close collaboration with the American Firms to support new areas of commercial co-operation with Pakistan. These commercial ventures are clear indication of our commitment to work with Pakistan to build stronger bilateral commercial ties and to actively facilitate mutually beneficial business ventures, he added.
Answering a question regarding WikiLeaks, he said that it would not affect US-Pakistan relationship as we are working together for long-term relations. Vice Chairman, P&G Global Household Care, Dimitri Panayotopoulos highlighted the key aspects of the Plant and said that the plant has been designed to integrate the latest sustainability innovations, technological equipments and e-systems to minimise impact on environment. This plant is zero effluent plant completely recycling wastewater for industrial use, he added.
He said that over 70 Pakistanis were given more than 4,000 hours of international training in several P&G locations & technical centres for the plant. While talking about investment opportunities in Pakistan he said that with the population of 180 million people Pakistan has been identified by P&G as a high potential emerging market to explore P&G in future and this hallmark investment bears testimony to our long term outlook on the country. From 25 acres of land P&G has utilised only 20 percent yet and we will surely be expanding in future, he added.
He congratulated the P&G team for making this plant and said that this is a historic moment and the plant investment is cause for celebration and pride both for P&G and Pakistan as well as for our employees, consumers and partners. This shows success of our product in Pakistan, he added.
Vice Chairman, P&G Global Operations, Werner Geissler, while addressing the inauguration ceremony said that for the last 20 years the company has not only offered quality products to enhance the lives of Pakistanis but also created thousands of jobs and invested Rs 6 billion in Pakistan's economy.
He said that P&G's purpose-inspired growth strategy enables us to reach the un-served consumers with increased presence in emerging and developing markets, as P&G brands in Pakistan are amongst leading household names in their respective categories. We are hopeful that Pakistan will offer us an even stronger platform in future, he added.
He said that P&G has done its part to support government of Pakistan as last year the company paid Rs 4 billion in taxes, which shows a serious commitment of P&G with Pakistan. P&G also provided $1.9 million in immediate cash and food items in recent flood catastrophe, he added.
Geissler said that the plant is based on cutting edge technology comparable to the best P&G plants in the world to ensure high quality local production. We are serving consumers in more than 135 countries, he added. Qaiser Shareef, Country Manager, P&G Pakistan addressing the occasion said that P&G has been in Pakistan for only two decades and in this short time the company has launched several premium quality brands to serve consumers. He said that we have achieved an important milestone in Pakistan with the establishment of a dry laundry detergent plant and this investment is testimony to our continued commitment to Pakistan and its consumers.
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