Coke’s New $100 Million Plant

KHMER TIMES
SOK CHAN

A forklift operator in Coca-Cola’s new plant at the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone. KT/Sok Chan

Coca-Cola officially opened a new $100 million plant in Phnom Penh yesterday to expand its production capacity to meet increased demand for the Coke beverage in the Kingdom and Asean.

The plant, situated on a 12.5-hectare land, in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone is able to produce Coke in 54,000 plastic recyclable bottles and 60,000 cans in an hour, said Irial Finan, executive vice president of Coca-Cola.

“The decision to invest $100 million in this new production plant shows the certainty of our business in Cambodia. Cambodia is not only a home for investment, but its investment climate and business transparency is also better,”Mr. Finan said.

“We told people in the US and other countries that Cambodia is good for investment and innovation,” he added.

Mr. Finan said the new production plant includes some of the company’s latest technology, which will allow Cambodian staff to upgrade their skills and ensure low-cost competitiveness.

He said the new plant was 80 percent built by Cambodians and “will be 100 percent run by Cambodians to produce the highest quality products for the Kingdom of Cambodia.”

Prime Minister Hun Sen, who officiated the opening of the new Coca-Cola plant , said the company had expanded its production in Cambodia year-on-year since it first started operating in the Kingdom in 1993.

“Cambodia has an open door policy to draw foreign investment and we do not discriminate against any investors,” said Mr. Hun Sen.

“The new factory will employ more than 800 Cambodians. Coca-Cola in Cambodia will not only supply the local market, but will also export to neighboring Asean countries,” he added.

US Ambassador William A. Heidt told Khmer Times that Coca-Cola’s new production plant helps build the confidence of companies in the US and other countries to invest in Cambodia.

“My experience around the world, in foreign investment, is that the way you treat the first big multi-national company will have an impact on other companies wanting to invest in Cambodia,” said Mr. Heidt.

“Coca-Cola has had a good experience with Cambodia and this is bound to influence other companies,” he added.

Industry Minister Cham Prasidh said that Cambodia has two big American beverage companies, one is Coca-Cola and the other is Pepsi Cola.

He also pointed out that there are more than 600 foreign and local beverage companies operating in the country.

“We are happy that Coca-Cola has decided to invest in a new plant in Cambodia. This is proof that industry is the engine of growth for our national economy – in line with the 2015-2025 Industrial Development Policy.”