The third largest retail store chain in the US, the Kroger Co. has added Pakistani food products to its outlets, announced Abdul Razak Dawood.
“The Ministry of Commerce is pleased to inform that Pakistani food products are now available at The Kroger Co, US,” Adviser to Prime Minister on Commerce Abdul Razak Dawood posted on Twitter.
“This will give a boost to the ‘Made in Pakistan’ brand and enhance confidence of Pakistanis to compete at the international level,” said Dawood.
He was of the opinion that in order to enhance exports, the country should prioritize brand development. Local brands of the countey were still not recognized in the global market, therefore, more efforts were required from exporters, he stressed.
“The success of Pakistan on the global front is always appreciated by overseas Pakistanis,” he said. “The country possesses ample potential, however, there is a need to focus more on the branding side in order to achieve the desired results and turn our country into a competitive market.”
An alternative strategy was to acquire a foreign brand and develop it further, he emphasised. “Both systems have their merits, hence, our exporters are urged to pay attention to the process, which is more rewarding in the longer term,” he said.
Kroger Co. is the largest supermarket company in the US
According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Commerce on Tuesday, the company has 2,700 stores and an annual turnover of nearly $122 billion.
While talking to the media, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) President Shariq Vohra lauded efforts of the government and termed it the second good news in a row after the inclusion of Pakistan in the Amazon seller list.
He seemed hopeful that such developments would open new opportunities for Pakistani businessmen, particularly those related to the food segment. “I anticipate a rise in penetration of Pakistani products into the US market in the coming days as the retailer and its consumers gain trust in Made-in-Pakistan products.” he noted.
