Pakistan invites Japan’s Morinaga to boost dairy sector

PAKISTAN – Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has visited the headquarters and production facility of Morinaga, a century-old Japanese company renowned globally for its expertise in milk and dairy products, aiming to modernize Punjab’s dairy industry and deepen international economic ties.

During her tour of Morinaga’s advanced manufacturing plant, the Chief Minister explored various departments, including research and development, quality control, and infant nutrition.

She praised the company’s commitment to innovation and high standards, noting that such expertise could play a transformative role in Punjab’s dairy landscape.

“Morinaga International has been offered projects in the local production of baby food, other bakery products, and export-quality meat,” Maryam Nawaz announced, extending a formal invitation for the company to invest in Punjab.

She emphasized the province’s vast potential, citing its contribution of over 60% to Pakistan’s total milk production, while acknowledging the need to shift away from outdated practices that still dominate 80% of the sector.

The Chief Minister expressed particular interest in Morinaga’s infant nutrition technologies, highlighting the importance of formula milk in early childhood development.

“As a mother, child care is a matter of personal importance to me,” she said, underscoring her commitment to improving public health through better nutrition.

The proposed partnership also includes opportunities for technology transfer in livestock breeding, meat processing, and food safety. Punjab’s government is keen to adopt Japanese machinery and scientific methods to enhance productivity and ensure international standards in food exports.

This initiative builds on a history of cooperation between Morinaga and Punjab, dating back to earlier investments during the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then-Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The company’s facility in Sheikhupura remains a flagship example of successful Pakistan-Japan collaboration.

With over 63% of Punjab’s population engaged in agriculture and livestock, the Chief Minister’s outreach to Morinaga signals a renewed focus on sustainable development, economic uplift, and global partnerships.

Her visit not only reflects a forward-looking vision for Punjab’s dairy sector but also reinforces the province’s openness to innovation and international investment.

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