Reinforcing the company’s commitment to Bangladesh, visiting Chairman and CEO of the Coca-Cola Company James Quincey on Tuesday announced the economic empowerment of 100,000 women by 2020.
He also announced an additional investment of US$200 million by the Coca-Cola system in Bangladesh over the next 5 years, said a press release here. Quincey said Coca-Cola is committed to grow its business in Bangladesh in a sustainable manner and this includes understanding and aligning with the country’s priorities, report agencies.
In 2015, he said, Coca-Cola brought ‘5by20’ to life in Bangladesh by launching the first Women Business Centers (WBC).
The WBC is a unique model that supports rural Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs by proving skill development and financial assistance support, he added. James Quincey said these facilities, run by women, were developed to address common barriers women entrepreneurs face by providing access to business skills training, market information, agriculture training, mobile banking assistance, healthcare counseling, mentoring and networking opportunities.
Each WBC provides training, goods and services to hundreds of women throughout their communities. As of now 240 WBCs or sub centers are operating and empowering over 70,000 women across Bangladesh. By the end of 2020 over 100,000 Bangladeshi women and their families will benefit from the Women Business Centres. The project currently is active in Jamalpur, Khulna and Bagerhat Districts in the Northwest and Southwest of Bangladesh. James Quincey arrived in Dhaka this morning. His first ever visit to Bangladesh reflects the Coca-Cola Company’s continued commitment to the nation.
Coca-Cola has been refreshing Bangladesh for over five decades and the company is incredibly optimistic about the future in this beautiful and dynamic country.
Coca-Cola is also one of the key business partners of leading food and beverage companies locally and the combined contribution to the overall economy is substantial. The Coca-Cola system has invested over 100 million USD in the past years and plans to invest another $200 million in the next five years in Bangladesh.
The concept of sustainable development is at the heart of the Coca-Cola Company and the way it does business. The company has continuously been striving to create lasting positive impacts in the communities it proudly serves.