Dairy and livestock sector has great potential to accelerate the pace of economic development of Pakistan. The Cheese production is an emerging sector for domestic and international investment. Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has prepared and published "cheese" value added dairy product-prospects for Pakistan.
Official sources told Business Recorder on Sunday that rank of Pakistan is fifth in global milk production with over 50 billion litres annually. It is estimated that annual demand of cheese is more than 5,000 tonnes in the country whereas local production remains at around 3049 tonnes and cheese production is emerging as an important potential sector investment. SMEDA in this regard has prepared and published Cheese Value Added Dairy Product-Prospects for Pakistan with the objective to evaluate investment potential of this sector and disseminate information for local and international investors to make future investment decisions.
The report has been prepared in consultation with stakeholders and development experts and has been reviewed by technical experts. The study conducted by SMEDA will be helpful for the domestic and international investors to come forward and take initiative for investing in this emerging potential sector, sources added.
Meanwhile, Ch Altaf Ahmed and Muhammad Bashir, progressive stakeholders engaged with dairy and livestock sector, while expressing their views said that it is high time for the government to take drastic steps for the promotion of cheese sector at gross roots level and announce special incentives for the purpose.