Kathmandu, 29 January 2024: Coca-Cola, one of the country’s leading beverage companies, celebrates 50 years of presence in Nepal. This significant milestone highlights the company’s enduring commitment to the Nepalese community.
Since entering the Nepalese market in 1973, Coca-Cola has become an integral part of the country’s social fabric. The brand has witnessed generations of celebrations from family gatherings to national events, creating lasting memories and forging meaningful connections amongst people. Coca-Cola has since established 2 manufacturing plants in Nepal, Bottlers Nepal Limited (BNL) in Kathmandu and Bottlers Nepal Terai Limited (BNTL) in Chitwan. With over 1 Lakh retailer outlets nationwide, the company provides direct and indirect employment to more than 1000 employees and touches the lives of over 5000 people.
Mr. NN Singh, Chairman, Bottlers Nepal Limited, said, “As one of the first American companies to enter the country five decades ago, it was a bold move considering that institutional value chains and logistics were not fully developed at the time; but over the five decades, the company has developed a strong network of partners. The Coca-Cola Company’s purpose in Nepal remains clear: to refresh the nation and make a difference. We would like to say Dhanyabad to our customers, employees and stakeholders for their love and support.”
Consumers can celebrate 50 Years of Coca-Cola in Nepal by participating in a digital quiz contest named “Coca-Cola 50 Years Quiz Time”, where consumers will answer questions about Coca-Cola and winners will win exciting gift hampers by simply opening the Khalti app in their smartphones and participating in the Coke Quiz.
Ms. Chandrika Kalia, Head of Coca-Cola Nepal and Bhutan, added, “We are humbled by the love Nepali’s have for our portfolio of beverages and our most popular brands. Coca-Cola is committed to Nepal, and we will continue to improve people’s lives, from our employees to those who touch our business to the many communities we call home.”
Chandrika recently joined Coca-Cola from United Breweries Ltd where she spent over 15 years across various roles. In this role, Chandrika will work closely with bottling and business partners, customers and other external stakeholders in the country.
Coca-Cola is a significant foreign investor in Nepal and has made a positive impact on the socio-economic growth of Nepal. It has stood by and supported the Nepalese people during the darkest times through campaigns are “Pheri Uthne Chha Nepal” during the 2015 Earthquake and “Stop the Spread” initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mr. G. Deepak Senthil Nath, Managing Director, Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal Ltd, said, “As we celebrate the brand’s 50 years in Nepal, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude towards our consumers for making us one of the biggest FMCG companies and making Coke the most preferred beverage with Nepal’s favorite food Momo. Our commitment to Nepal goes beyond being a beverage provider; it’s about fostering connections, staying attuned to the spirit of the country, and making a positive impact. I would also like to thank our business partners, distributors, retailers, customers, and our incredible team, for making us a part of their lives. It is an absolute privilege to serve the people of Nepal through our business, and also by giving back to the community through our CSR & sustainability pillars.”
Coca-Cola’s engagement with the Nepalese community extends further to Saksham, a landmark initiative dedicated to educating and training women for entrepreneurship. Through this program, Coca-Cola with its partner Atelier Platform Pvt. Ltd. Pvt Ltd has empowered more than 2000 women to establish and manage their businesses, fostering economic independence thereby bringing positive change in local communities during the past two years. The Coca-Cola System in Nepal has also in recent years, under the ‘Youth Dialogue’ program, has worked with many colleges and universities across Nepal on youth development & empowerment with its implementing partner Glocal Pvt Ltd.
Every year during Dashain, Coca-Cola’s festival campaign brings people together, celebrates relationships and spreads joy through various rewards and recognition schemes for consumers. The most recent, “Sambandha Utsav” campaign for Dashain, was all about encouraging people to celebrate relationships and enjoy togetherness despite having differences.
With a mission to make a difference in communities around the world, The Coca-Cola Foundation has been supporting transformative ideas and institutions that address complex global challenges, which leave a measurable and lasting impact. In Nepal, our focus is on providing sustainable access to safe water, building climate resilience, promoting a circular economy, economic empowerment and responding to disasters. The Coca-Cola Foundation have been working with reputable international and local NGOs in Nepal for years such as, WaterAid, WWF, Maiti Nepal, WHR, Creasion, Rotary Club of Nagarjun, Centre for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Women for Human Rights and including CARE Nepal to support affected communities during the recent earthquake in Jajarkot.
The Coca-Cola Foundation has also played an unwavering role in preserving Nepal’s most precious natural treasure, the Himalayas. For the past three years, The Coca-Cola Foundation has supported the Mountain Clean-Up Campaign initiated by the Nepali Army.
Following the introduction of Trademark Coca-Cola, we now have a wide range of brands in our portfolio including Fanta, Sprite, Kinley, and Charged providing Nepali consumers with a variety of refreshing and hydrating beverage options.
