Khusro assures Coca-Cola of govt’s support

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Khusro Bakhtyar on Monday assured the government’s full support for the execution of the Coca-Cola Icecek Pakistan (CCI) investment plans and shared the prime minister’s vision to make Pakistan an economic hub, a statement said on Monday.

During a meeting with the senior management of the Coca-Cola Icecek Pakistan, which called on him, the delegation shared details of its 7th Coca-Cola production plant with an investment of $50 million, CSR activities and venturing the new investment opportunities.

They also discussed issues relating to the sugar taxes on beverages.

During the meeting, it was informed that the company’s greenfield project would be completed by February 2022, and the company would request Prime Minister Imran Khan to inaugurate the project.

The project would be used primarily for beverage needs in the northern region. Moreover, it will create direct and indirect employment opportunities and revenue for the government, as well as the third-party suppliers, dealers and distributors, the delegation participants said.

The minister welcomed the business expansion plan by CCI Pakistan and said the investment was the reflection of the government’s successful pro-investment and pro-business policies.

Khusro said that the beverage and food industry has 12 per cent share in the large-scale manufacturing, while the growth of this sector would create new jobs and support ancillary industries, as the business grows further.