Thursday 30 Jan
Lieutenant General Engineer Kamel El-Wazir, Minister of Industry and Transport, witnessed the opening ceremony of a new production line at the Coca-Cola Hellenic factory in Sadat City.
The ceremony was attended by Nikolaos Papageorgiou, Greek Ambassador to Egypt; Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic; Omar Mohanna, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Coca-Cola Hellenic Egypt; Engineer Mohamed El-Sewedy, Chairman of the Federation of Egyptian Industries; Engineer Ashraf El-Gazairly, Chairman of the Food Industries Chamber; and Minister Plenipotentiary Peter Hafner, representing the Swiss Embassy in Egypt. Several regional officials from Coca-Cola were also present.
During the opening ceremony, the
Minister emphasized that the industrial sector serves as the engine of economic
growth and is a cornerstone for achieving comprehensive and sustainable
development in Egypt. He highlighted the unwavering support and significant
attention given to the sector by the political leadership. The Minister
acknowledged that Egypt's recent strides in comprehensive and sustainable
economic development have significantly enhanced the competitiveness of the
Egyptian industrial sector.
The Minister expressed enthusiasm
for inaugurating Coca-Cola Hellenic's new can production line, the fastest and
most advanced in the Middle East and within the Coca-Cola Hellenic Group
globally. This line boasts a 120,000 cans/hour capacity, producing 172 million
liters annually with a $31.5 million investment and 95% local components.
The Minister emphasized the
Ministry's support for Egypt's green economy transition, quality product
enhancement, and increased exports. He commended Coca-Cola Hellenic for its
innovative technology and contribution to the Egyptian food industry.
During his speech, the Minister
urged Zoran Bogdanovic, CEO of Coca-Cola Hellenic, to establish new production
lines at the plant and expand exports from Egypt, as well as cooperate with the
Egyptian side in training Egyptian workers, whether at the Elswedy Academy or a
Coca-Cola Hellenic technical school, to graduate qualified workers to work in
the company's factories in Egypt and its factories in various countries around
the world.
For his part, Bogdanovic
expressed satisfaction with the new production line's opening, highlighting Egypt's
promising investment climate. He noted that the Sadat City plant is a major
facility, utilizing solar energy extensively and creating 300 jobs. He thanked
the Egyptian government for its investor support.
Furthermore, Bogdanovic emphasized the company's commitment to training Egyptian workers, both within its Egyptian factories and through external programs that prepare young Egyptians for the job market. He also announced the opening of a new digital center offering technological services to 27 global markets, creating 450 new jobs.
