Pepsi inks deal for $60m Afghan bottling plant

DUBAI, Apr 21 (AFP): PepsiCo has signed a deal with the Dubai-based Alokozay Group to set up a $60 million bottling plant in Kabul, Afghanistan, the company said in a statement Thursday. PepsiCo "signed an Exclusive Bottling Appointment (EBA) with the Alokozay Group of Companies to manufacture and distribute a broad range of PepsiCo beverages in Afghanistan," the statement said. "The beverages will be produced at ABCo (Alokozay Beverages Company), Alokozay's beverage bottling plant, which will be set up in Kabul with an initial investment of US $60 million," it said. ABCo chief executive officer Jalil Alokozay said in the statement that his firm was "delighted to take the PepsiCo franchise into Kabul", with the plant expected to come into operation in March 2012. "The plant will contribute significantly to the local economy by creating direct and indirect employment for 3,000 people, including 800 direct jobs," the statement said. The deal was signed late Wednesday at the Armani Hotel, a relatively recent addition to Dubai's numerous ritzy accommodations, which is located in Burj al-Arab, the world's tallest building.