Beirut (APD) - Many Iraqi alcoholic beverages manufacturers embarked on a restructuring process to convert into soft drink companies in order"to be in step with social changes in the country," the London-based ALHAYAT daily reported Friday. Some firms moved to the Christian regions north to Mousol while others restricted their alcohol production to industrial and medical uses.
Nineveh Company, a leading alcoholic drinks firm located in Mousol started the production of soft drinks that included brands such as Pepsi Cola and Seven Up.
The company achieved good financial results after these changes, the daily said.
Nazim Tayib, a businessman holding investments in a number of alcoholic beverages companies in Iraq told ALHAYAT that the carbonated drinks industry in the country is heading toward an expansion and diversification path despite the many obstacles facing it.
"There is a broad investment base to pump money into this sector", Tayib said. As demand for soft drinks booms, the next stage would witness the establishment of a number of plants in different parts of Iraq", he added.
Amjad Al Jawhar, a manager of a number of soft drinks plants and an investor in the sector, said that five private sector factories located in Baghdad achieved better results after they were turned into carbonate drinks production.
The paper did not specify whether these firms were under pressure from Islamic militants to stop alcoholic beverages production.
Islam prohibits Muslims from drinking alcoholic beverages and any other dealings with such drinks such as manufacturing, trading and even carrying such beverages. [SN-FC[
© APD (Arab Press Digest) 2005
