The soft drinks giant plans to invest $764m in Brazil in 2009, a 16.6% increase on the previous year’s investment. Part of the investment is earmarked for the construction of two new manufacturing and bottle plants.

Coca-Cola made $6.6bn from its Brazilian operations in 2008, which represents a 25% increase on 2007. Sales in Brazil rose 7% in 2008, which is greater than the company’s average growth globally.

Coca-Cola Brazil’s chief executive Xiemar Zarazua said the global downturn had not affected the company’s performance in Brazil.

However, the country’s industrial production in January slumped by 17% year-on-year, leading many economists to forecast zero growth or worse this year.