It gives me great pleasure to welcome the international and local dignitaries to the 3rd Pakistan Edible oil Conference & Price Out-look 2018. PEOC is fast becoming an important ?xture in the international calendar regarding the edible oils and fats sector and forecasting of industry dynamics. We are happy that PEOC is now attracting reputable speakers from across the world. In the audience of course, apart from the international delegates, we have all the leading players of Pakistan's oil and fats industry, representing one of the largest and most important market of edible oil and fat products in the world.
The Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturer's Association represents 122 manufacturing units with a capacity to manufacture 4 million tons of Vegetable Ghee and Cooking Oil. PVMA has a very close relationship with the All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA), and buys approximately 1.5 million tons of soft oils from them. In addition, PVMA members also buy over 2.7 million tons of edible oil from the international market every year. As one of the largest employers, importers and tax payers in the country, the importance of PVMA to the national economy cannot be ignored.
However, even more important is the fact that PVMA members provide safe and economical products to the 210 million population of Pakistan; products that are a critical source of calories, added vitamins and required fats to the diet of the nation. As responsible members of the industry, PVMA companies are committed to upholding the highest standards of product quality and food safety for their consumers.
In closing, I would once again like to extend a very warm welcome to all the delegates, and hope that not only will we all benefit from the insights and analysis offered by the speakers, but will also be able to share our ideas and experiences to take our industry into a brighter and stronger future; for ourselves, our consumers and above all, our country.