MONDAY, 4.00PM:
THE Coca Cola company has signed an agreement to build a new bottling plant in war-torn Angola, and to upgrade the current plant. The announcement, while uncertainty over the future of the war-torn country continues, reflects Coca Cola’s faith in the country and its people, a spokesman said.
Coca Cola’s combined investment in a new bottling plant in Bom Jesus and an upgrade to a plant in Vitoria amounts to $33 million. The project is 55% owned by Coca Cola in a joint venture with the Angolan government, and will be managed by Indol, a subsidiary of South African Breweries.
“We believe in the future of Angola and its people. That belief is the bedrock of our focus to create value for every Angolan who touches our business — from retail level up, from Spazas, and kiosks to our bottling partners,” said Carl Ware, Africa group president of Coca Cola.
The deal was signed with Manuel Duque, minister of industry, to end a three-day US trade mission to the country. Coca Cola has in recent months announced similar ventures in Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zimbabwe.