Coca-Cola's new Yunnan plant signals commitment to sustainable growth

Glen Walter, CEO of Coca-Cola Bottling Investments Group China, Marcelo Boffi, vice-president of Coca-Cola Greater China and South Korea, and Li Jianhui, general manager of Coca-Cola Yunnan Beverage Co Ltd, attended the new plant's groundbreaking ceremony along with local government officials.

"China is the third-largest market for Coca-Cola globally and is pivotal to Coca-Cola's global sales growth," said Bofi. "Since we announced a new $4 billion investment plan in China in 2015, we have been actively delivering on our promise. The 1.2 billion yuan ($185 million) new plant will help further strengthen Coca-Cola's market leadership in the southwest region."

As one of the largest and most influential foreign-invested enterprises in Yunnan province, the new plant project has received substantial recognition and won strong support from the local government and related authorities. It is hoped that the new investment project will not only foster economic growth in Kunming, but also promote the development and upgrading of the region's industry clusters.

"The new plant will become an important production base for Coca-Cola in China's southwest region," said Walter. "This investment will not only provide strong support to Coca-Cola's sustainable development in Yunnan, but also boost economic development locally by increasing job opportunities and enhancing collaboration."

While actively integrating itself into local economic growth, Coca-Cola (Yunnan) Beverage Co Ltd said it is also committed to corporate social responsibility and constantly invests in a variety of areas including community development, water resources and environmental protection.

Since 2000, the company has partnered with Yunnan Youth Development Foundation to build 11 Coca-Cola Project Hope schools in Yunnan, which have benefited around 3,500 students.

Through the Clean Water Project, Coca-Cola has also provided nearly 80 water purifiers in Yunnan's underprivileged areas, helping improve the quality of drinking water for about 40,000 residents.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Walter, on behalf of all employees, donated 50,000 yuan to a Coca-Cola Project Hope school in Chuxiong, Yunnan province, with the aim of providing students with a better learning environment.

Upon completion of the new Yunnan plant, Coca-Cola has said that it will continue to invest in the sustainable development of the local community as it looks to contribute to Yunnan's future growth.