KARACHI, Jan 26: Unilever Pakistan has posted a net profit of Rs1.644 billion as its turnover surged by 18.8 per cent during the year 2006.

This was stated by financial director Unilever Pakistan Peter Harvey at a news briefing here on Friday.

He said that the Unilever Pakistan was the top profit-making company in Pakistan.

He said that home and personal care business, along with frozen desert and ice-cream business, recorded a significant rise in sales and profits.

Home and personal care business grew by 29 per cent, ice- cream and desert frozen up by 40 per cent.

He said that company's sale to departmental stores, including Utility Stores and Macro wholesale stores, registered a notable growth during the year.

Harvey said that company's cash flow was positive this year by Rs221 million.

To a question, he said that smuggling and counterfeit products were adversely affecting sale of the company.

He said 15 per cent of the brands of Unilever Pakistan were being copied in the market.

He pointed out that the earning per share was Rs124 for the 12 months of 2006.

He said that the Unilever was securing roughly a 33 per cent share in tea market in Pakistan.—APP

FINAL DIVIDEND: According to a press release, the directors of Unilever have recommended a final dividend of Rs57 per ordinary share of Rs50. Together with the interim dividend of Rs65 already paid, the total distribution for the year 2006 amounts to Rs122 per share.