Business
Minister of Industry Champions Local Investment Stability and Manufacturing Growth: A Visit to Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd
Minister of Industry Champions Local Investment Stability and Manufacturing Growth: A Visit to Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd
L-R: Neil Spickett, Supply Chain Director, Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd.; Julia Esezobor, People & Culture Director, NBC; Nwamaka Onyemelukwe, Public Affairs, Communications and Sustainability Director, The Coca-Cola Company; Mr Olaolu Akinkugbe, Board member, NBC; Honourable Dr. Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment; Goran Sladic, Managing Director, NBC; Oluwasoromidayo George, Corporate Affairs and Sustainability Director, NBC Adrian Lupu; Chief Financial Officer, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and Mayowa Arokodare, Senior Legal Counsel, Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company Nigeria during a courtesy visit by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment to the Nigerian Bottling Company Ikeja plant, recently.
The Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd (NBC) was the recipient of a strategic courtesy visit from the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite, recently demonstrating her remarkable commitment to supporting the growth of Nigeria’s manufacturing sector. This visit demonstrates the government’s proactive efforts to create a favorable environment that promotes and speeds up the growth of manufacturing businesses in the country.
The Managing Director, Goran Sladic, the Non-Executive Director, Mr. ‘Laolu Akinkugbe, and other members of the Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. leadership team extended a hearty welcome to the Minister upon her arrival. The visit included a comprehensive tour of NBC’s expansive 110,000 m² facility, which stands as the largest bottling plant in Africa.
During her engagement with the NBC team, the Minister emphasized the pivotal role of the real sector in the sustainable development of the Nigerian economy. She underscored the government’s commitment to promoting industrialization, creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and grow, and implementing appropriate fiscal policies to drive economic growth and reduce poverty.
In her remarks, Doris Nkiruka Uzoka-Anite also reiterated her ministry’s dedication to fostering open dialogue and collaborative efforts with key players in the private sector. She stressed the importance of addressing challenges and exploring growth opportunities through public-private sector partnerships, thereby driving economic prosperity.
Goran Sladic, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., expressed the company’s enthusiasm at hosting the Honourable Minister and appreciated the government’s commitment to engaging with industry stakeholders. He emphasized that the discussions with the minister and her team marked a significant step towards building a more resilient and sustainable industry. Mr. Sladic highlighted the company’s unwavering dedication to placing consumers at the core of its operations and outlined a decade of substantial investments, operational enhancements, supply chain infrastructure revolutionization, and extensive workforce training within the Coke system.
Furthermore, Mr. Sladic emphasized NBC’s commitment to community initiatives, including empowering women and youth, championing water stewardship, and promoting environmental sustainability and efficient waste management. He also highlighted the company’s €1 million donation aimed at driving impactful social programs across eight states, reaffirming NBC’s pledge to Nigeria on its 70th anniversary.
The Nigerian Bottling Company (NBC) Ltd., a member of the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company A.G., serves as an anchor bottler for The Coca-Cola Company in 29 countries across North, Central, and South Europe, Asia, and Africa. With a portfolio of strong brands, including iconic Carbonated Soft Drinks such as Coca-Cola, Coke Zero, Fanta, Sprite, and Schweppe, NBC continues to make a substantial impact on over 715 million consumers, with more than 197 brands in these markets.
The company’s commitment to investing in its Nigerian operations and its optimism regarding favorable business conditions to bolster capabilities and facilitate further investments underscore its dedication to sustainable growth and development.
This visit and the subsequent discussions exemplify the government’s and industry leaders’ shared commitment to fostering a conducive environment for manufacturing growth, investments, and sustainable development in Nigeria.
The Nigerian Bottling Company’s dedication to not only business excellence but also community empowerment and environmental sustainability sets a commendable example for corporate responsibility and industry leadership. As the government and private sector continue to collaborate, such initiatives will undoubtedly contribute to the overall growth and prosperity of the Nigerian economy.
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In conclusion, the Honourable Minister’s visit to the Nigerian Bottling Company Ltd. stands as a testament to the government’s dedication to championing local investment stability and manufacturing growth. As the country continues to prioritize industrialization and economic development, collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors will play a pivotal role in driving sustainable growth and prosperity for Nigeria.
More information can be found at https://ng.coca-colahellenic.com/
