IN THE NAME OF DEVELOPMENT

In the early years of Azerbaijan's independence, several major companies from around the world decided to set up their own businesses in the country. At their own risk, they invested millions of dollars in the republic, which had a fragile economy at the time, created new local enterprises and started production that met world standards. These companies did not regret it - in the 20 years, the economic situation in Azerbaijan has changed dramatically, and the opportunities for business development have multiplied.

One of the international brands that opened its own factory in the country in 1994 was Coca-Cola.

The investments Coca-Cola made in Azerbaijan are one of the first and largest foreign investments in the country's non-oil sector. With a production capacity of up to 300 million litres per year, Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers Limited (ACCV) produces, sells and distributes carbonated and non-carbonated beverages, serving a population of nine million. Coca-Cola products include nine different brands (Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Light, Coca-Cola Zero, Fanta, Sprite, Nestea, Burn, Cappy and BonAqua). The capital invested by the company in the Azerbaijani economy has now reached $ 100 million.

However, what is important is that after achieving significant results in its work and a stable income, Coca-Cola continues to increase its participation in social and humanitarian projects in the country, steadily implementing a policy of social corporate responsibility. It should be noted that the company supports sustainable communities and is focused on initiatives that protect the environment, conserve resources and ensure economic development in regions.

One of the major environmental initiatives of the company, for example, was a campaign in which about 12 cubic metres of waste were removed from an area of 35 hectares in the village of Sixlar in Qaradag District within the framework of the International Coastal Cleanup Day. The coastal zone in the village of Sixlar was cleared of plastic and glass bottles, cans and various kinds of debris. The purpose of the campaign was to change people's attitude to the environment and draw public attention to other environmental problems. The campaign was held under the slogan of "Pick it up. Clean it up. Feel the Difference!" and was supported by the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, the National Olympic Committee of Azerbaijan, Club Green Baku, JSC Tamiz Sahar and Club Green Cyclists.

A striking example of a social project implemented with the support of Coca-Cola was the programme Every Drop Matters, in which Save the Children and Coca-Cola helped to provide access to drinking water in the village of Saidli with a population of 1,450 in Xacmaz District of Azerbaijan. The absence of sufficient drinking water was an obstacle to the development of tourism in the region. The team of the project Every Drop Matters worked closely with the public in Saidli, thanks to which an artesian well was successfully drilled. In the near future, the project will affect the health of children and their parents living in Saidli where the population can enjoy clean drinking water. Commenting on the project, the market manager of Coca-Cola in Azerbaijan, Habil Ahmadov, noted that this campaign is a component of Coca-Cola's corporate social responsibility programme.

While implementing its corporate social responsibility, Coca-Cola attaches great importance to initiatives in the field of sports and healthy lifestyle for young people. Just a year ago, the Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan (AFFA) and Coca-Cola signed a sponsorship agreement for a 5-year period, under which the parties pledged to work on two projects - U-13 Coca-Cola Liqa and Coca-Cola Schoolboys Cup. To implement them, Coca-Cola will transfer $ 1.075 million to AFFA.

According to the director-general of Azerbaijan Coca-Cola Bottlers LTD, Lisani Atasayan, the company's support for the football league for children below 13 and the Coca-Cola Schoolboys Cup are aimed at the development of children's football in the country. Eventually, they will contribute to even greater popularization of football in Azerbaijan and help train new sports stars. "Support for a healthy lifestyle is a constant priority for Coca-Cola, and we are proud that we are an integral part of the development of sports in Azerbaijan," he added.

As part of sports initiatives, an Olympic sprint day was held recently, on 24 June, near the monument to Samad Vurgun in the centre of Baku. It was organized by the National Olympic and Paralympic Committees, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and Coca-Cola, which is a global partner of the Olympic Movement around the world. It was attended by over 700 people. The main aim of the campaign was to promote the Olympic Movement and a healthy lifestyle in Azerbaijan.

"Every year a marathon is held in Azerbaijan, and it is dedicated to the International Olympic Day, and the present one, organized within the framework of the Year of Sports, was even more spectacular," said Cingiz Huseynzada, vice-president of the National Olympic Committee. The marketing manager at Coca-Cola, Habil Ahmadov, added that the company welcomes every opportunity to support activities that promote a healthy and active lifestyle in Azerbaijan. "After all, we are all united by sports," he concluded.

Thus, Coca-Cola has chosen the right path for the realization of social and corporate responsibility in Azerbaijan by supporting socially important projects that are not only significant for the present generations, but will also have a positive effect for many years to come.

OUR REFERENCE

Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world leader in the manufacture of soft drinks, including more than 500 brands. Coca-Cola® is recognized as the most expensive brand in the world, the portfolio of which consists of brands worth $ 15 billion, including DietCoke®, Fanta®, Sprite®, Coca-Cola Zero®, vitaminwater, Powerade®, Minute Maid®, Simply® and Georgia® Coffee. At the global level, Coca-Cola is the leader in the production of mineral water, juices, ice tea and coffee. Following the establishment of a global distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries around the world have access to drinks produced by the company. Coca-Cola sells more than 1.8 billion pieces of this drink a day. Together with partners, the company is in the top 10 private companies around the world with the number of employees exceeding 700,000.