Coca-Cola has commenced construction on its first plant in Gaza Strip, following an approval from Israel.
The proposed plant is expected to see around $20m in investment and it is expected to become operational in 2015.
When operational in third quarter of 2015, the phase I of the plant will focus on the production of carbonated beverages, The Jerusalem Post reported.
The phase II of the plant will produce juices, water and other noncarbonated products. This phase will become operational in late 2016 or early 2017.
The company will employ around 360 people at the plant by 2016, with plans to hire more later.
The plant is said to compete with the existing Pepsi facility in the region.
Palestinian National Beverage Company manufactures the soft drink in the occupied West Bank region. So far, about 10 truckloads of equipment had reached Gaza through a crossing with Israel, reports Reuters.
Israel had allowed nine truckloads from Jordan to reach Gaza for the company.
Palestinian National Beverage Company director-general Emad al-Hindi was quoted by Reuters as saying that more equipment is expected to be shipped from Germany and Turkey and these machines would be installed in central Gaza by March to launch operations before the end of 2015.
Image: The phase I of the plant will focus on the production of carbonated beverages. Photo: courtesy of The Coca-Cola Company.
