Coca-Cola Closes Zanzibar Bottling Operation

Coca-Cola is closing its bottling factory in Zanzibar following a long-standing dispute with government over the operating conditions.

Activity at the facility has been on hold for more than a decade. The specific reason for the suspension has not been made public however,

Speaking on the development Finance and Planning Minister Ambassador Mohamed RamiaAbdiwawa said that the discussions to resume production had been going on too long and that government had decided to issue a letter to the factory management to close down because they were not ready to comply with government’s demands.

Zanzibar Attorney General (AG) Said Hassan Said told the House that because the firm had been operating contrary to their license they must be told to close. However, he said the development was regrettable given that it had in the past employed a large number of citizens.