Consumer Sector

Author: Emily Dolan

Approximately 10% of the chemical industry in Pakistan is consumer-focused, and includes items such as soap, detergents, and toothpaste. Although international companies do hold a strong presence within the nation, Pakistan has produced its own companies, specifically dealing with the manufacturing of soaps and detergents.

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Zulfeqar Industries is a Pakistani company that started in 1954, specializing in soap manufacturing. It is the leading soap manufacturing company in the country and began trading on the Karachi and Lahore Stock Exchanges in 1986. Clover Pakistan Limited is another Pakistan based company, specializing in personal care manufacturing as well as food and drink manufacturing. The company aims to hold an international standard and increase exports from Pakistan. Unilever is a multinational company also operating in Pakistan. It produces consumer products at an international standard and supports the UN’s global goals for sustainable development. Finally, Proctor and Gamble has a large influence in Pakistan, as it brings consumer products and billon dollar brands to the country. The majority of these companies are located in the largest city in the country, Karachi.

The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) is a key regulatory body that oversees all exports of the country and also works to promote businesses to increase export capacity. It aims to introduce Pakistan made products into international markets through developing trade policies that improve the conditions of the Pakistani market. TDAP was established in 2006, as a recent attempt to increase government involvement in the consumer sector.

The history of the consumer sector within Pakistan is fairly recent. Pakistan based companies began to emerge in the 1950s and foreign companies such as Proctor and Gamble entered the country in the early 90s. Although it is a relatively small sector, it is growing, as Pakistan is being recognized as an emerging market for consumer goods, including detergent, soap, and shampoo.

The future of the sector is bright, as it continues to grow at a rapid pace. This growth is largely based on American companies in the sector, as they aim to provide a high standard of goods to both rural and urban consumers within the country. Currently, Pakistan lacks suitable industrial infrastructure and technology to efficiently produce its own consumer products. It relies heavily on imports and foreign materials because domestic production does not meet international standards. The growth within the consumer sector is related to the population growth in the country, which translates into market growth. In the future, more advanced infrastructure and increased trade agreements with other nations will boost the consumer sector within the nation, therefore creating more opportunity for business.