Coca-Cola has begun construction on its first facility in Gaza Strip, after securing an approval from Israel.

The facility is likely to have an investment of around $20m and become operational in 2015.

Once it becomes operational in third quarter of 2015, the phase I of the plant will concentrate on the production of carbonated beverages, The Jerusalem Post reported.

Following the completion of the phase II, the plant will also produce juices, water and other noncarbonated products.

This phase is expected to become operational in late 2016 or early 2017.

Coca-Cola will appoint around 360 people at the facility by 2016 and expects to appoint more people later.

The facility is likely to compete with the existing Pepsi facility in the region.

Palestinian National Beverage Company manufactures the soft drink in the occupied West Bank region.

About 10 truckloads of equipment had so far reached Gaza through a crossing with Israel, reports Reuters.
Israel had permitted nine truckloads from Jordan to Gaza for the company.

Palestinian National Beverage Company director-general Emad al-Hindi was quoted by Reuters as saying that more equipment is expected to be shipped from Germany and Turkey, which would be installed by March to launch operations before the end of 2015.