Mars Saudi Arabia is making a big investment in Saudi Arabia — at least $60 million, to be exact.

Mars is breaking ground on a new, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia, with an initial investment and with an additional $150 million planned over the next 10 years.

The facility, which will begin operating by 2014 producing GALAXY and GALAXY JEWELS, will be one of the largest chocolate factories in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region.

The facility will be built to LEED Green Building standards and will initially employ 60 Mars associates with 300-400 more associates once the factory is fully operational.

Mars, Inc. has been operating in Saudi Arabia for 30 years and contributed to the direct and indirect job creation of 1,000 jobs to date, says the company. The new factory located in the industrial zone of King Abdullah Economic City will be the first plant for Mars in Saudi Arabia. Production is scheduled to commence in 2014.

For more information about Mars, visit www.mars.com.