Coca-Cola to Empower 100,000 Women in Bangladesh by 2020

Strengthening the company's pledge to Bangladesh, visiting Coca-Cola Company Chairman and CEO James Quincey today announced the economic empowerment of 100,000 women by 2020.

He also announced an estimated US$ 200 million expenditure over the next 5 years by the Coca-Cola network in Bangladesh, a press release said here.

Quincey said Coca-Cola is dedicated to sustainably expanding its market in Bangladesh and that involves recognizing and aligning with the objectives of the region.

In 2015, he said, by opening the first Women Business Centers (WBC), Coca-Cola brought ' 5by20 ' into existence in Bangladesh.

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 woman-run facilities were built to overcome specific challenges faced by women entrepreneurs by providing access to business skills training, market information, farming instruction, mobile banking assistance, health care counseling, mentoring and networking.

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's 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.

Source: BSS