“It is an honor to be among the first companies to receive authorization from the Cuban government for a joint investment in Mariel and contribute to the development of the county and wellbeing of the population, in keeping with Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan,” stated Fabio Prado, president of Unilever Mexico & Caribbean, speaking to Granma International.
Fully committed to ensuring consumer satisfaction, the businessman noted that protecting the environment within the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM) is a top priority for the company.
According to Prado the pioneering mega project will have all the necessary infrastructure, space and government support to successfully operate within the zone.
The joint venture is composed of Dutch company Unilever N.V. and the Cuban Intersuchel S.A., authorized to operate in the ZEDM, with a total investment of over 35 million dollars.
According to Prado the future plant in Mariel will create 300 new jobs and offer Cuban consumers quality, internationally renowned personal care and household cleaning products.
One of the company’s immediate challenges will be the construction of its plant in 2017, which will manufacture a wide range of hygiene and cleaning products, under the brands Sedal, Rexona, OMO, Lux and Close-UP, among others.
The new entity will also incorporate innovative management systems and safe technology.
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
In an unpredictable world, suffering from the effects of climate change and facing a rising global population, Unilever supports sustainable living, enabling the company to grow in harmony with the environment.
As outlined in its Sustainable Living Plan, Unilever’s business model is based on the use of sustainably sourced materials, a commitment to consumers’ well-being, improving working conditions and opportunities as well as promoting diversity and equal opportunity.
Beyond its commitment to sustainable growth for the benefit of future generations, Unilever boasts over 300 registered brands, has retail outlets in 190 countries, with over two billion daily consumers, sees an annual turnover of more than $50 billion dollars and has 172,000,000 employees worldwide.
Established over a century ago, Unilever believes that establishing itself in the ZEDM will benefit trade relations between Cuba and the Netherlands.
Given the attraction of the ZEDM’s preferential tax policy and other benefits for investors, the zone – strategically designed to contribute to the development of the island’s economy – is also primed to receive large-scale companies.
Considering that Unilever brands are well-known in Cuba given their established presence in the national market, nationwide sales of products are predicted to rise given growing demand by the population and the expansion of tourism.
(Granma)