Unilever to set up personal care products factory in Cuba

Dutch-based consumer products firm Unilever has broken ground on a $35m factory at the Mariel special development zone in Cuba to produce personal care products.

In a joint venture (JV) with Cuban state company Intersuchel, the factory is expected to start production in 2018. It will manufacture products such as Sedal shampoo, Rexona deodorant, Omo detergent, Lux soap, and Close-Up toothpaste.

In this JV, Unilever will have a 60% stake, with the Cuban state company owning the remaining equity. The new factory is expected to create 300 local jobs and will be managed by Unilever.

Unilever's chief executive officer Paul Polman was quoted by Reuters as saying: "Our (planned) new and sustainable installations demonstrate our commitment to invest in the long-term growth of the Cuban economy."

Of the few companies that gained approval to commence operations in the economic zone, several are still either under initial planning or construction phases.