Faiza Tehseen

Pakistan needs an established perfumery industry to tap the potential of aromatic herbs and plants. It will open a window of opportunities, especially for the farmers, opined Dr. Riffat Tahira, Principal Scientific Officer and program leader of the National Medicinal, Aromatic, and Herbs Program of Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), while talking to WealthPK.

She said, “Despite having rich aromatic plants, herbs, and other raw materials, ideal for perfumery, Pakistan lags in perfumery and essential oil extraction. Lack of technology, investment, and expertise is the main cause. Pakistan has a unique treasure of aromatic plants, herbs, and floral species. The commonly found flowers or herbs are rich in aroma and they also keep a viable quantity of essential oils. “The fragrance-giving compounds are always specific due to the geographical variation. So, the specific compounds of any flower occurring in an area do not occur anywhere else. This is the reason that signature essential oils and perfumery of Pakistan can be developed.” She said the rapid growth of the Chinese perfumery and essential oil industry was going to make it a manufacturing leader shortly. With the Chinese collaboration, we can set up a perfumery here. The Chinese expertise in the traditional medicines, extraction of essential oils and perfume production is superb. Pakistan must get Chinese coordination to establish this industry. It will also help Pakistan’s cottage industry flourish.

Farmers and housewives can also be trained to grow aromatic herbs and short-rooted plants on rooftops and in farmlands and backyards for additional income. She said, “The wild herbs in different areas can help upgrade the cottage industry to a huge industrial sector and Pakistan can generate good revenue. If addressed properly, it is a vast and profit-oriented economic segment. With little effort at the government level, people can be initially trained in how to store perfumes and essential oils and how to retain their quality with enhanced shelf/storage life. It will not only help them earn more from limited farming but increase their income as well.” Talking to WealthPK, Muhammad Bilal, the owner of Abu Asim Perfumery, located in Bottle Gali near the Lighthouse in Karachi, said, “The Chinese collaboration is vital in establishing the perfumery industry in Pakistan.

Pakistan can also be one of the key players in perfumery, such as France, Germany, or Switzerland. A lot of Pakistani perfume manufacturers have their offices in China.” He said Pakistan annually spent a huge foreign exchange on the import of essential oils, perfume base, and different fragrances, and the local manufacturing of these products could save a lot of foreign exchange. Besides manufacturing perfumes, a good number of people will also be employed and this industrial segment can be another source of sustainable income, added Muhammad Bilal. The international perfume market was valued at US$33.9 billion in 2022, and by the year 2031, it is expected to grow to US$ 46.61 billion at a compound annual growth (CAGR) of 3.60%. The policymakers in Pakistan should focus on this important trade and business segment.

Credit: INP-WealthPk