Coke Bottling In War-Torn Gaza Strip

(RTTNews) - Beverage giant Coca-Cola Co. has officially opened a new $20 million bottling facility in the conflict-driven Gaza region of Palestine.

The new bottling plant will creates 120 direct jobs in Gaza, and will support more than 1,200 Palestinians indirectly through a local value-chain of suppliers, distributors and retailers.

"National Beverage Company and Coca-Cola share great pride in having been part of the fabric of Palestinian communities for almost 18 years, and our new Gaza plant shows our ongoing commitment to investing and supporting progress in communities around the world," said Muhtar Kent, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Coca-Cola Company.

National Beverage Company is the third largest Palestinian employer and the fifth largest Palestinian investor with over 600 direct employees, and is the largest food and beverage company in the region.