March 19, 2006	Sunday	Safar 18, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, March 18: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said the development of the country’s supply and logistics chain is critical to realise the country’s full economic potential. Talking to Patric Kennedy, Chief Executive Officer of Ditch multinational firm SHV Holding, who called on him at the PM’s House on Saturday, he said a growing economy like Pakistan needed to improve its supply chain by creating more efficient markets, seamless distribution systems and getting products to market in a timely and cost effective manner. This would reduce prices, ensure better supply and improve the quality of products, he said.

The prime minister said there was one wholesale market per city in Pakistan while in many countries there were several, which allowed for competition and better availability of products.

He said the government was making policies in this regard to help farmers get higher price for their products and consumers access goods in a cost effective and timely manner.

He said Makro, apart of the SHV Holding, was investing in the wholesale business in Pakistan and helping farmers improve the quality of their products, as well as promoting the packaging and standardisation of agricultural products.

He said the government was working to improve the logistics chain through better roads, ports, railways and clearance facilities so that the time for delivery of products to the domestic and external markets was reduced, improving competitiveness and productivity.

Makro has started liquefied petroleum gas distribution and products’ wholesale business in the country.

Patric Kennedy told the prime minister that the firm planned to open 15-20 Makro Cash and Carry stores in the country, including one in Karachi and one in Lahore during the current year. From the next year, the company hopes to set up four stores each year throughout the country, investing about 150 million euros together with its partners. The prime minister said the government was providing a level playing field to all investors.

He said foreign direct investment in the country during the current year would be of $3 billion, which would create jobs, generate economic activity and allow people to access goods at affordable prices.

The Netherlands Ambassador William Andra; Farhad Zulficar, Vice-Chairman of the House of Habib, and Makro Pakistan Managing Director Marek Minkiewicz were also present.

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