In a milestone development NESTLÉ Middle East yesterday announced an investment of over US$50 million in a state-of-the-art production facility in Techno Park, a fully owned subsidiary of Economic Zones World. The move is a major step forward in strengthening company’s leadership across the Middle East.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the new production unit was jointly headed yesterday by Jamal Majid Bin Thaniah, Vice Chairman, Board of Ports and Free Zones, Ms. Salma Hareb, CEO of Jafza & Economic Zones World and Mr. Frits Van Dijk, Executive Vice President and Zone Director for Asia, Oceania, Africa and Middle East, NESTLÉ S.A. A large number of senior official from NESTLÉ and from Economic Zones World were also present at the occasion.
The new facility spreads over 100,000 square meters of land in Dubai’s most modern industrial area, Techno Park. NESTLÉ Middle East intends to make this facility a base to manufacture top-line product portfolio for the Middle East consumers as per NESTLÉ’s quality standards, safety and environmental best practices. The first phase of the facility is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2007.
The new production unit will incorporate packaging facility in cooperation with SAPIN, the Middle East's leading producer of packaging products and solutions, reinforcing NESTLÉ's aim to build strong and long-lasting synergy with partners in the manufacturing chain.
“Given its leadership in the world food market, the new facility reflects a major development in our production capacity to meet the growing regional demand for our products. This landmark venture is a further testament to our continued commitment in the region”, said Jean-Louis Chaumeil, Chairman and CEO, NESTLÉ Middle East.
While thanking the government of Dubai and the Economic Zones World for tremendous support and the provision of the best infrastructure facility, Jean-Louis Chaumeil, Chairman and CEO, NESTLÉ Middle East said: "Geographically, the UAE is ideally located as business centre representing the perfect location for an expansion of our production capabilities in this region and beyond."
Salma Hareb, CEO, Jafza & Economic Zones World pointed out: “We welcome this significant expansion and the new production facility in Techno Park which heralds even stronger partnership between NESTLÉ and Jafza that has started in 1998.”
In lines with NESTLÉ global commitment to invest in local employment and training, the regional headquarters allows NESTLÉ Middle East to extend its involvement with local partners and consumers, including the research and development of products specifically formulated to meet the needs of local people.
© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
