ISLAMABAD, Jan 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday the government was taking various measures to improve “distribution and supply chain of goods” that would ultimately benefit the end-consumers.

Addressing a joint press conference with Dr Hans Joachim Koerber, chief executive of a Germany-based Metro Group, the premier said that the professionalization of the distribution and supply chain would also open up new avenues for exports. Federal minister for privatization and investment and Punjab minister for industries were also present at the occasion.

Mr Aziz said that the government also had a programme to improve wholesale market but that could best be done by bringing in the private sector.

He said that a good supply chain like Metro could also help in promoting the host country’s export. A way to promote exports is get into value chain and tap distribution networks of other countries, he added.

Answering a question, the premier said Metro could introduce Pakistani products like kinoo in China and other countries through their outlets which would help in increasing our exports.

He expressed the hope that Metro would influence the country’s wholesale market that, in turn, would benefit the consumers. “An efficient supply system helps reduce cost of distribution and thus benefit consumers through less prices and quality products,” he added.

The chief executive of Metro, operating in 30 countries, announced that the German company would open 10 outlets in all the major cities of Pakistan with an initial investment of 150 million euros. The first outlet would go operational early next year.

A single store would offer an assortment of more than 15,000 products — food and non-food articles — under one roof. “This would give us an opportunity to increase the already 40 million euros exports from Pakistan in leather, garments, home textiles and fruits as soon we operate in the country,” he added.

He said that depending on the size and location, each store offers about 300 safe jobs plus administration staff.

When asked that how the company would supply goods at cheaper prices, the chief executive said that the company would buy goods directly from farmers so the element of wastage would be reduced from current 50 per cent to 0.5pc. Moreover, he said that the direct purchase from growers would automatically abolish the cost of middlemen that would ultimately benefit the consumers.

The prime minister said that the target of 7 per cent growth in the economy would be achieved despite the October 8 quake as all the major indicators had recorded growth during the period under review.

Highlighting foreign investment potential in Pakistan, the premier said that the economy was expanding and offering opportunities to both foreign and local investors. The government was ensuring a level-playing field to all and many foreign companies were earning handsome profits and returns, he added.

He also thanked for 100,000 euros donation announced by Dr Koerber for earthquake victims.

Mr Shaukat said that Germany was a very important country and the biggest economy in Europe and more investment coming from that country was a good sign for Pakistan.

He said that he was confident that Metro’s investment would be a turning point for boosting economic ties between the two countries.