MANAMA: Alra Foods, the fifth-largest dairy company in the world, has announced the opening of its state-of-the-art facility opening in Bahrain with an initial production of 20 million kilos, will invest an additional euro 50 million in next three years.
“The production will be increased five times in three years to 100 million kilos with an expected additional investment of euro 50 million in Bahrain facility,” Peder Tuborgh, CEO, Arla Foods amba, on the sidelines of the opening ceremony, told The24X7News Bahrain (www.twentyfoursevennews.com).
The opening ceremony held at Bahrain International Investment Part (BIIP) was attended by His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Ministers, businessmen and guests.
Talking about the job opportunities he said that it would create both highly skilled and semi-skilled jobs with number in the start of about 100 and once the expansion completed in next three years this number will surge to 600 to 800 jobs.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain which offers one the most attractive investment climates as well as help extended by the concerned government entities were among the encouraging factors to grab this investment opportunity in Bahrain,” he adds.
“We have closed down some production facilities in Europe and the latest Bahrain facility will make available range of products for consumers in Bahrain and across the GCC.
“Main part of the production will be exported to the GCC market but gradually it will cover MENA region, and some products currently being produced in Europe and Denmark will be produced here in Bahrain as well,” he said.
“We ensure our dairy products are crafted with quality, natural ingredients in an environmentally-friendly way. With a delicious range of cheeses, Arla aims to bring joy to those every day moments that make up life,” he said.
“We have been here for several generations to this and I was working in Bahrain late eighties and early nineties and also worked in Riyadh for five years in the bank. Our brand is known to Bahraini market since 1950s
In a speech given by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, HE Mr. Zayed Rashid Al Zayani, said, “We are delighted to welcome Arla as part of Bahrain’s manufacturing landscape. As a vital member of ‘Team Bahrain’, the Ministry of Industry, Commerce & Tourism shall continue to play its role in attracting FDI, facilitating business and supporting growth in line with our economic diversification and expansion plans.”
For his part, Arla Foods CEO Peder Tuborgh said, “The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is a priority market for us and the inauguration of this production site in the Kingdom of Bahrain consolidates our commitment to the region. Our decision to make Bahrain our key manufacturing hub for the MENA region demonstrates our confidence in the Kingdom’s rapidly growing manufacturing sector and alignment with the nation’s Economic Vision 2030 diversification plans.
The Arla Foods CEO added, “Dairy is an integral part of a healthy diet and this new facility will enable us to increase production and step change our innovation speed to meet increasing consumer demand. We are confident that Bahrain will be instrumental to the success of Arla’s growth plans and we are grateful to our local partners and the government whose unwavering support and dedication have made today possible.”
Welcoming the project, Mr. Khalid Humaidan, Chief Executive, Bahrain EDB, said: “Arla is the latest in a long line of international manufacturing companies to make Bahrain a home for their regional operations. Today’s inauguration of Arla’s largest facility outside Europe is testament to Bahrain’s position as a leading destination for manufacturing companies looking to access the region’s USD1.65 trillion market. The Kingdom offers investors a number of competitive advantages, including the availability of a highly skilled local work force and extremely competitive operating costs.”
Mr. Humaidan further added, “Arla is a great addition to our manufacturing sector which, at 14 per cent of GDP, is the second largest non-oil sector and a pillar of the Kingdom’s economy. Arla’s investment will create a number of jobs in the local market and will play a key role in supporting our diversification efforts, in line with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.”
Arla Foods is a cooperative owned by more than 12,700 dairy farmers. Arla combines traditional craftsmanship and world-class technologies to ensure its products remain closer to nature, from farm to fridge.
Arla Foods is a cooperative owned by more than 12,700 dairy farmers. Arla combines traditional craftsmanship and world-class technologies to ensure its products remain closer to nature, from farm to fridge.
