Reported by HPMM Group according to FINANCIAL TRIBUNE ;    Unilever plans to set up a joint venture in Iran to make and market food in the country.

The FMCG giant has struck a deal with local food group Golestan Company to form the venture, Just-food.com reported.

In a statement, Unilever’s Iranian arm, which markets non-food brands like Domestos bleach and Dove soap in the country, said the venture will “develop, manufacture, market and sell new brands and line of food products in Iran market as part of this partnership”.

The statement added: “Additional details will be announced later.”

Ozgur Kolukfaki, general manager for Unilever’s operations in Iran, Central Asia and Caucasian markets, said, “Unilever’s global expertise in R&D, supply chain and marketing, combined with Golestan’s expertise in foods, local manufacturing and distribution capabilities, makes this partnership attractive for us and strengthens our contribution to Iran.”

Golestan’s product portfolio includes a range of products, including tea, nuts and spices, sold under its namesake brand. It also owns the Pardis rice-to-pickled foods brand and noodles-to-desserts brand Hoti Kara. The group also owns the local license to Twinings tea.

“As a company, we’re very delighted and happy to initiate this great partnership with a globally well-known company. Us joining hands together will absolutely multiple our efforts in this very journey and will bring in a much brighter future for us, our consumers and our nation as whole,” Golestan MD Ahmad Nasiripour said.

Unilever is an Anglo-Dutch transnational consumer goods company co-headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and London, United Kingdom. Its products include food, beverages, cleaning agents and personal care products.

It is the world’s largest consumer goods company measured by 2012 revenue and is also the world’s largest producer of food spreads, such as margarine.