Flying high: Unilever units in Pakistan post highest growth rates

It considers country an emerging market with long-term growth prospects.

KARACHI: Pakistani subsidiaries of Unilever are among the best-performing business units in global operations of the Anglo-Dutch conglomerate, said Unilever CEO Paul Polman.

During his recent two-day visit, the third in six years, he said the global foods and consumer goods giant considers Pakistan an emerging market with a high potential for long-term growth.

“This positive outlook has been built on the four-fold growth of local business in the last eight years due to two major factors – the highest growth rates in Unilever world in 2014 and the significant scope to penetrate the rural markets, where two-thirds of Pakistan’s 200 million people reside,” a statement quoted the CEO as saying.



“The success of Unilever in Pakistan is evident from the continuing strength of local business. It has resulted from the effectiveness and width of our reach, our deep understanding of the market and a portfolio of brands relevant to local customers.”

Polman said despite a tough operating environment, 2014 has been a year of high volume growth and growing margins for Pakistan that highlights the immense business potential of the country.

Unilever Pakistan is amongst the top 25 Unilever businesses globally, according to Unilever Pakistan Limited Chairman and CEO Ehsan A Malik.

“Over 95% of our brands are produced locally through four factories and seven co-packers, he said.

“In 2013, Unilever Overseas Holding, a majority shareholder in Unilever Pakistan, invested over $530 million in the country, making it the largest foreign direct investment in the recent history of Pakistan,” Malik said.



“This investment reaffirmed Unilever’s strong commitment to local operations and to Pakistan’s economic potential.”

Polman, the conglomerate’s global chief, also inaugurated a rural customer development initiative in the village of Wagrah in Punjab.

The initiative, meant to be a core driver of Unilever’s future growth in Pakistan, also drives sustainability at the village level and will be rolled out to thousands of villages across the country by 2020, the company said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28^th, 2014.

Like Business on Facebook, follow @TribuneBiz on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.