Coke to enter Burma for first time in 60 years

In this April 20, 2009, file photo, a customer walks by cases of Coca-Cola at JJ&F Market in Palo Alto, Calif. / file,AP Photo/Paul Sakuma

(AP) NEW YORK - The Coca-Cola Co. plans to start selling its drinks in Burma for the first time in 60 years, following the U.S. government's decision to suspend investment sanctions on the country for its democratic reforms.

Burma, also known as Myanmar, is one of three countries where Coca-Cola doesn't do business. The other two are Cuba and North Korea.

The world's biggest soft drink maker said Thursday it will start doing business in the country as soon as the U.S. government issues a license allowing American companies to make such investments.

The U.S. announced last month that it was suspending restrictions on American investments in the Southeast Asian country, which is still easing toward democracy. Until last year, Burma had been led by an oppressive military junta.

Coca-Cola said its products will initially be imported from neighboring countries as it establishes local operations in Burma; the company notes that it is has a history of being the among the first to enter or re-enter markets.

In 1949, for instance, Coca-Cola and other foreign companies were expelled from China by the communist government. After full diplomatic relations were established with the country in 1979, Coca-Cola had 20,000 cases of its flagship drink trained into the country from Hong Kong, which was still a British territory at the time.

The Atlanta-based company also noted that Cuba was one of the first countries where it did business, opening operations in the nation in 1906. But after the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro's government began seizing private assets and the company liquidated and exited the country in 1960. The company has never operated in North Korea.

Any Coca-Cola products in those countries are obtained through independent third parties.

As part of its push in Burma, Coca-Cola said it is donating $3 million to support job creation for women in the country. The company will work with PACT, a non-governmental group that supports economic and health initiatives in developing nations.

Coca-Cola first entered Burma in 1927.

[arkajun-2009]

Another Nanny Bloomberg moment. Cause and effect. This is what liberals don't get about capitalism. Hypothetically, Bloomberg outlaws the sale of large drinks. This costs Coca Cola $$millions in lost sales of cola syrup. So to offset the lost revenues, Coca Cola moves business somewhere else to make up for the loss, mainly overseas where the cost of doing business is more profitable. With more and more companies moving operations overseas due to over-regulation and unionization that drive up the price of doing business in the US, thus resulting in job losses and all the money now going overseas instead of being spent here. Thanks a lot Nanny Bloomberg!

[donthateus]

Coca Cola is not moving business overseas but expanding business overseas. The good: Coca Cola makes more money, Burma is open for business. The bad: Local soda businesses have a strong competitor to deal with. My advise, support your local products and local businesses that how the new generation has to do to keep middle class and jobs in their countries. Evidence: Walmark and other big retailers in the US are selling products made in differrent countries the results are: American loosing jobs => middle class are gone. Think please!

[arkajun-2009]

Another Nanny Bloomberg moment. Cause and effect. This is what liberals don't get about capitalism. Hypothetically, Bloomberg outlaws the sale of large drinks. This costs Coca Cola $$millions in lost sales of cola syrup. So to offset the lost revenues, Coca Cola moves business somewhere else to make up for the loss, mainly overseas where the cost of doing business is more profitable. With more and more companies moving operations overseas due to over-regulation and unionization that drive up the price of doing business in the US, thus resulting in job losses and all the money now going overseas instead of being spent here. Thanks a lot Nanny Bloomberg!

[nohater]

burma should ban it and not allow it to enter their country. it's a terrible sugary beverage bad for the whole body. burma is making a huge mistake by allowing it into the country.

[speakthetrut]

Coke is good for health????? What the heck are you smoking?

Dear people of Burma. Don't drink coke. It is bad for your teeth, and it is bad for your health.