Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Thursday encouraged Japanese dairy leader Morinaga to expand its investments in Punjab’s dairy and livestock sector.
During her official visit to Japan, the CM toured Morinaga’s headquarters and production facilities, extending an invitation for collaboration in dairy processing, infant nutrition, bakery products, and locally-produced export-quality meat.
Morinaga, a century-old global player in the dairy industry, was highlighted as a potential partner to modernize Punjab’s dairy sector. Maryam Nawaz also visited the company’s research and development division, where she received a comprehensive briefing on operations.
The CM stressed her commitment to applying Morinaga’s expertise in Punjab, assuring full government support for investment initiatives. “As a mother, child care is personally important to me,” she remarked.
Both sides agreed to collaborate on advanced Japanese machinery, livestock breeding, and high-quality meat production. Maryam Nawaz noted that although Pakistan ranks as the fourth-largest milk producer globally, with Punjab contributing 60% of national output, nearly 80% of the province’s dairy sector still relies on outdated practices.
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Highlighting that 63% of Punjab’s population is involved in agriculture and livestock, she emphasized that a partnership with Morinaga would have a direct positive impact on rural communities. She also announced plans to establish a Dairy Development and Advanced Protein Network in Punjab.
Recalling Morinaga’s 2017 investment in Sheikhupura during the tenure of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and then-Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the CM praised the company’s sustained engagement in Punjab as a model of Pakistan-Japan cooperation. She added that enhancing collaboration with Morinaga would not only improve nutrition but also significantly contribute to Pakistan’s economy.