Karachi, September 2nd, 2019: FrieslandCampina and Engro Foods leadership met with the Prime Minister Imran Khan on December 11, 2018 at Prime Minister’s secretariat, to discuss the development and regulatory framework of Pakistan’s dairy sector.

Mr. Hein Schumacher, CEO FrieslandCampina, shared with the Prime Minister extensive experience of the company spanning over 150 years in dairy and livestock farming and how the company can aid the Government of Pakistan in setting up the framework of Food Safety which is critical to ensure safe nutrition in the country. He said that in view of huge potential of the country in the dairy sector FrieslandCampina was keen to further expand its business with introduction of technology and best practices vis-à-vis nutrition and production techniques. This would help the farmers increase their productivity and facilitate the country capitalize its export potential in the sector. Mr. Hein Schumacher underscored the need for a coherent regulatory framework which would help in providing better, safer & affordable nutrition to the consumers and the dairy companies to further grow their businesses in the country.

The Prime Minister appreciated the interest of FrieslandCampina and Engro Foods for expanding their business in the country. He said that the Government is committed to improve ease of doing business and facilitate investors in every possible manner. The Prime Minister highlighted various policy initiatives taken by the present government which are aimed at ensuring consistency and removing issues faced by the business community. He said that the Government was cognizant of the need for putting in place a regulatory framework which would not only help in regulating the informal sector but also towards ensuring quality of the food products.

Mr. Hein Schumacher was accompanied by Mr. Roel Van Neerbos, President Consumer Dairy FrieslandCampina, Mr. Ali Ahmed Khan, MD Engro Foods and Syed Saud Ahmed Pasha, Director Corporate Affairs Engro. Minister for National Food Security & Research Sahibzada Muhammad Mehboob Sultan, SAPM Mr. Naeem-ul-Haq, Chairman Board of Investment Mr. Haroon Sharif and senior officials were also present during the meeting.

Hein Schumacher iterated the importance of safe and healthy nutrition and the importance of developing the dairy sector of Pakistan saying, “FrieslandCampina (FC) is Europe’s largest dairy cooperative, owned by 19,000 farmers, driven with the core purpose of providing better nutrition to the world. FrieslandCampina entered Pakistan in 2016 and we are committed to stay. We would like to collaborate with the Government of Pakistan to capitalize on our experience of 150 years in dairy development for overcoming the challenges in Pakistan. FrieslandCampina has a track record of solving the nutrition challenge in frontier markets and we can assist in countering the critical rate of malnutrition in Pakistan. We would request the Government of Pakistan to assist us by bringing uniformity of regulations across all provinces so we can offer safe and affordable nutrition to the people of Pakistan and we commit to continue playing our role to develop and strengthen the dairy sector in Pakistan.”

Ali Ahmed Khan, Managing Director of Engro Foods added, “Development of Pakistan’s dairy industry and standardization of regulatory framework is inextricably linked to the provision of safe and affordable nutrition in Pakistan. Engro Foods is determined to provide better, safer & affordable dairy products to our consumers. It is essential to have a standardized regulatory framework for companies to operate and contribute to the development of the economy. With the support of Government of Pakistan, Engro Foods and FrieslandCampina commit to overcoming the challenges of malnutrition and provide a sustainable living for the dairy farmers by empowering them through our dairy development programs.”

The meeting discussed the growing trend of adulteration in foods, which inevitably poses a challenge for the government. Engro foods will assist in the development of Pakistan’s dairy sector by leveraging FrieslandCampina’s extensive experience of 150 years in dairy & livestock farming. EFL will support GoP through advisory and technical services on setting up Food Safety framework in Pakistan, critical to ensure safe Nutrition. This public private initiative will assist in implementing solid regulations on food safety which would lead to a safer supply of nutrition to the people of Pakistan.