ALRA Foods, the fifth-largest dairy company in the world, opened its state-of-the-art facility in Bahrain with an initial production of 20 million kg.

The company announced plans to invest an additional €50 million ($55.54 million) in the next three years to increase production at the facility.

“The production will be increased five times in the three years to 100 million kilos with an expected additional investment of  €50 million in Bahrain facility,” Peder Tuborgh, CEO, Arla Foods, told Bahrain News Agency (BNA) on the sidelines of the opening ceremony.

On behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister, Shaikh Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Isa bin Salman Educational Charitable Trust, inaugurated Arla Foods production and distribution plant, at Salman Industrial City.

Talking about job opportunities at the unit, Tuborgh said it would create both highly skilled and semi-skilled jobs with a starting number of about 100. Once the expansion is completed in the next three years, the number will surge to 600 to 800 jobs, he said.

“We have closed down some production facilities in Europe and the latest Bahrain facility will make available range of products for consumers in Bahrain and across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC),” BNA quoted him as saying.

“The main part of the production will be exported to the GCC market, but gradually it will cover the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) region, and some products currently being produced in Europe and Denmark will be produced here in Bahrain as well.

“We ensure our dairy products are crafted with quality, natural ingredients in an environmentally-friendly way. With a delicious range of cheeses, Arla aims to bring joy to those everyday moments that make up life.