Coffee Producer Brings Jobs to Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

Berlin (ots) - VIVA Coffee will soon open a new production plant
for instant coffee in the northeastern German federal state of
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The company is being financed by the
British-based investor Jalil Afsharneshad and is investing EUR 50
million in a site in Upahl. The plant will employ 120 full-time
workers.

VIVA Coffee chose Upahl because of the town's proximity to
Hamburg, one of Europe's largest ports. Additional reasons were the
availability of highly skilled workers in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as
well as investment incentives. Wolfgang Tiefensee, Federal
Commissioner for the New Federal States and Federal Minister of
Transport, noted that Germany's infrastructural network was a key
factor in the company's investment decision: "Infrastructure is one
of the country's main advantages for international businesses.
Companies in Germany can move their products anywhere in the world,
and it is encouraging to see a company choose Germany because of our
strengths in transport and infrastructure." Connections to the world
are especially important for VIVA Coffee, as it expects to make up to
60% of its revenue from exports. The company's decision speaks
positively for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern and is an example of the
state's strong economic development. "Mecklenburg-Vorpommern had the
highest GDP growth rate of all federal German states in the first
half of 2007. This fact combined with Mecklenburg-Vorpommern's
hosting of the G8 Summit and the state's excellent hands-on support
for new companies will continue to attract investment and foster
further economic growth," said Michael Sturm, Managing Director of
Invest in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the state's economic development
corporation.

Food and beverages is a major industry in Germany. In 2007, it
earned EUR 147.6 billion in revenue. Exports hit EUR 36.3 billion in
2007, an increase of over 13% versus the previous year. Invest in
Germany, under its former name Industrial Investment Council, advised
VIVA throughout the entire investment process.

"Food and beverage companies are attracted to Germany for its
infrastructure, qualified workforce, industry trade fairs, and R&D
network," noted Felix Hentzen, Senior Manager at Invest in Germany
and advisor to VIVA Coffee on its investment project. Invest in
Germany is the inward investment promotion agency of the Federal
Republic of Germany. It provides investors with comprehensive
support, from site selection to the implementation of investment
decisions.

Originaltext: Invest in Germany
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Media Contact:
Eva Henkel
Invest in Germany
Phone: +49-30-200099-173
Fax: +49-30-200099-111
Email: henkel@invest-in-germany.com
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