ISLAMABAD: The government’s investment-friendly policies are creating immense opportunities for foreign investors to explore diverse sectors, Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Wednesday.

In a meeting with Eugene Willemsen, the CEO of Pepsi Africa, Middle East and South Asia, PM Khan lauded the business ventures of Pepsico as well as its proposed future investment plans for Pakistan.

Willemsen apprised the prime minister of Pepsico’s existing investment portfolio in Pakistan which employed around 60,000 individuals directly and indirectly as well as a network of approximately 700,000 retailers across the country who relied on the company’s products to make a living. He further informed that Pepsico was amongst the highest tax payers in Pakistan.

About recent investments including the successful inauguration of a new snacks plant in Multan, the Pepsico official said the company had made investment to increase the capacity of its bottling plants and expanded its retail, distribution networks that had increased the number of jobs, generated additional economic activity and increased revenue for the government.

Sharing the company’s commitment to the social development of Pakistan through various social projects, Willemsen expressed willingness to bring projects aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for Pakistan’s talented youth.

Willemsen especially expressed his interest in the development of potato crop in Pakistan through efficient irrigation system, and water conservation.

Recalling visit of Queen Maxima of Netherlands to Pakistan last year, the CEO also highlighted the company’s efforts for women empowerment and their financial inclusion, aimed at uplift of society and growth in the country.

PM Khan welcomed the commitment of Pepsico towards social development of Pakistan and said the government would extend all possible facilitation to the Company for expansion of its business, including in agriculture sector. He also discussed the possibility of development of Pakistan’s dairy sector.

Coca-Cola shares future plans

In a separate meeting with General Manager Coca-Cola Iecek Pakistan (CCI) Ahmet Kursad Ertin, who along with Ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan Mustafa Yurdakul called on him, the

The prime minister appreciated the investment contribution of the company in Pakistan and assured the delegation of extending full support and facilitation in further diversification of its business in the country.

prime minister said Pakistan was a land of unlimited opportunities with youth bulge and offered ideal investment opportunities in various sectors.

The prime minister noted with satisfaction that Pakistan had now been acknowledged by the international investment community as an attractive destination for business and long-term investment.

Referring to historical brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey, the prime minister said that the upcoming visit of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Pakistan would further take the existing bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries to new heights.

Ahmet informed the prime minister that CCI Pakistan served a consumer base of 208 million with six plants and more than 3,000 employees across Pakistan.

CCI Pakistan, together with the Coca-Cola Company has invested over $500 million in Pakistan in the last few years.

He said that due to investor friendly policies of the government, numerous Turkish investment companies were eager to invest in various sectors of Pakistan.

Adviser to the PM on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood and Chairman Board of Investment Syed Zubair Haider Gilani were present in both meetings.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2020