ATLANTA - The Coca-Cola Company today announced it has completed the transaction to acquire approximately half of the equity in Aujan Industries beverage business, one of the largest independent beverage companies in the Middle East. The transaction was initially announced in December 2011.

"Today begins the next era of growth for our system across the Middle East and North Africa," said Ahmet C. Bozer, President, Eurasia and Africa, The Coca-Cola Company. "This transaction creates a platform for further cooperation between the Company, Aujan and existing bottling partners across the region to dramatically change the juice landscape."

This transaction allows The Coca-Cola Company to expand its portfolio in the juice sector and continue to drive long-term value for all shareholders.

With the completion of the transaction, The Coca-Cola Company has acquired 50 percent of the Aujan entity that holds the rights to Aujan-owned brands, and 49 percent of Aujan's bottling and distribution operations, excluding its operations in Iran.

The Coca-Cola system - which currently employs more than 40,000 people across the Arab world -- announced in October 2011 that it will invest $5 billion in the Middle East and North Africa region over the next 10 years.