Nestlé’s US$130M over 5 years to create 2,000 jobs

Santo Domingo.- Nestlé vice president for Latin America LaurentFreixe on Thursday announced aninvestment of US$130 million over the next five years and a program to create2,000 jobs.

He said during the company’s 50 years in the country it hasspent US$100 million to expand plans and to improve production.

Freixe revealed that the company could buy local rawmaterials in the same way Nestle has done with the dairies during the past 60years.

"We use onions, garlic and other ingredients, but someof them we import. What we want is to promote local development to shorten thesupply chain and help develop domestic production," the executive said in aNational Palace a press conference after meeting with president Danilo Medina.

Moreover Nestle will join the government initiative tocreate jobs and contribute to educate youngsters. "We left the meetingwith a very positive feeling on the future alignment of agendas. We want toencourage youth employment. As a company, we can help empower young Dominicansand provide a bridge between education and the workplace."