The Coca-Cola Company is set to open a new $20m production plant in the Gaza Strip – its fourth in Palestine – after receiving permission to transport construction material from the Israeli government.
The facility in Karni will be the company’s first in the Gaza Strip and expands upon Coca-Cola’s existing sites in Ramallah, Tulkarm and Jericho – all in the West Bank. The plant will initially offer employment to a few hundred people but could create as many as 1,000 jobs for the local economy in the longer term.
Operated by Coca-Cola’s Palestinian bottler, the National Beverage Company (NBC), the plant will initially manufacture carbonated drinks before moving on to juices and still soft drinks. PepsiCo also operates a facility in the Gaza Strip.
In order to construct the plant, Coca-Cola had to seek permission from Israel’s Ministry of Defense to transport materials over the territory’s border, which was granted back in December. Coca-Cola’s expansion into the Gaza Strip is not without its risks, but the company operates a reported market share of 86% and has sensed further potential within the region.
NBC general manager Imad Hindi said: “Coca Cola is the first and largest global company that has invested in Palestine and these investments are opening the gates for others. The same thing will occur in Gaza.
“The factory building is ready, lines of produce are ready. We hope to be able to conclude all the stages without any obstacles.”
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