Industry and Commerce Minister Dr. Hassan Fakhro officiates 5 year celebration of Mondelez at BIIP

Dr. Fakhro congratulated Mr. Vishal Tikku, Area Director, Mondelez International, Middle East and Terry Denton, Plant Director, Mondelez Bahrain on achieving this milestone.

He also highlighted the many other achievements of the company since they announced the Bahrain project back in 2006 as follows:
•1st company to announce a project for the new Bahrain International Investment Park in July 2006.
•1st company to host a construction commencement ceremony at the Park in December 2006.
•1st company to host an official opening of a new facility at the Park in April 2008.
•1st company at the Park to exceed their original job target and to achieve a further target of having over 25% Bahrainis in their workforce in January 2012.
•1st company at the Park to celebrate 5 successful years of manufacturing in March 2013.
•Finally you are the 1st company at the BIIP to announce an expansion of your original project and I wish you all the best with this expansion.

Dr. Fakhro commented, "The Bahrain International Investment Park had grown significantly since the original announcement of the Mondelez project in 2006."

Today there are 45 companies operational here, employing over 2,000 people, with a further 15 new factories currently under construction.

The total investment in these 60 projects is BD372 m ($987m) In addition another 27 companies have been approved to locate at the Park and they are now finalizing their leases. Between them these companies plan to invest BD100m ($265m).

Over 80% of this investment is coming from foreign companies and it includes global leaders like BASF, Siemens and RMA from Germany, JBF from India, MTQ from Singapore and Arabian Sugar Company from Saudi Arabia.

Members of the Mondelez International senior-management team, including Middle East Area Director Vishal Tikku and Bahrain Plant Director Terry Denton, briefed His Excellency Dr. Fakhro on the company's latest developments and plans during a tour of the facility.

They commended the Ministry of Industry & Commerce and the Government of Bahrain for their strong support for international investment by multinational companies. This has helped Mondelez International experience consistent growth in Bahrain and the wider Middle East region, in turn making a valuable contribution to the people and economy of Bahrain.

During the tour His Excellency Dr. Fakhro met with employees who have worked at the facility since it opened, and congratulated the company on its achievements over the last half decade, commenting on this significant milestone.

Vishal Tikku said, "As the world's biggest snacks company, with strong origins in the Middle East dating back nearly 100 years, we are delighted to be in Bahrain, and contributing to its people and economy. We would like to thank our employees, customers, consumers and the Ministry for their trust and support, who have helped to make the last five years so mutually beneficial."

It should be noted that the Bahrain plant is home to a 250-strong, skilled labor force, with the creation of more jobs a possibility in the near future. The plant contributes approximately $50m per year to Bahrain's economy through wages, raw- and packaging-material supplies, and shipping and distribution operations. Some 27% of the labor force are Bahraini nationals with a view to increasing this to 35% during the next two years.