ISLAMABAD: Coca-Cola Icecek (CCI) Turkey has highlighted the socio–economical footprint in shape of $500 million investment into 6 manufacturing plants in Pakistan since 2006. This was highlighted by Atilla Yerlikaya, CCI Group Director Public Affairs and Communication, at the inaugural ceremony of PAKMEDICA medical and cosmetics conference.

According to the announcement of the company here on Thursday, the fair was earlier inaugurated by Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif.

Atilla stated that as a Turkish foreign economic relations board member, and a director for a Turkish company doing business in Pakistan for more than a decade, he feels that Pakistan remains an attractive destination for foreign investment from Turkey. He described that besides his own company-the Coca-Cola Icecek, many other Turkish companies are expanding their investment portfolio in Pakistan thereby increasing the size of Turkish FDI inflow into the country. “Today, the Turkey’s businesses are showing a great confidence in the future of Pakistan as an attractive business opportunity,” said Atilla.

Atilla also hailed the improving efficiency of Pakistan’s infrastructure and cited that while at one point in time, CCI’s production operations in Pakistan depended on 60 percent diesel generated energy, but now the situation has improved tremendously. He further stated, “The CCI’s decision to invest in Pakistan has been the right one because not a single dollar of investment in the country has been wasted.” He also highlighted that because of CCI’s investment, several thousand direct and indirect job opportunities have emerged for the local people.

CCI Group Director also mentioned that as a responsible corporate citizen in Pakistan, CCI has been serving as a useful contributor to the improvement of health of the local communities. He highlighted that Coca-Cola Icecek Pakistan’s PAANI project has provided 24 water filtration plants in communities across Pakistan, and another one shall be inaugurated in Lahore in coming days.—PR