The first Coca-Cola factory in the Gaza Strip opened this past week near the Karni Crossing. The plant was built by the National Beverage Company, the Palestinian concessionaire of Coca-Cola in the West Bank. The plant was built with a $20 million investment and joins three other Coca-Cola plants under Palestinian jurisdiction in Ramallah, Jericho and Tulkarm.

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Expectations were high in the Gaza Strip in the months leading up to the opening of the plant not only because it meant an end to the import of coke products through border crossings, but also because of the 120 direct jobs and 1,200 indirect jobs the plant brings to workers, suppliers and distributors.

The factory was built under the close supervision of Coca-Cola to make sure it met the company's standards. The factory covers 15,000 square meters and has one production line capable of producing 36,000 glass bottles an hour.

The opening of the factory is only in the preliminary stages and is expected to grow to employ at least 300 people.

Chairman of the Palestinian National Beverage Company, businessman Zahi Khouri, said, "The opening of the company's first plant in the Gaza Strip is an important milestone in the journey that proves the immense commercial opportunities that exist."