The National Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (NACP) has included two American corporations, PepsiCo and Mars, on the list of international war sponsors.
Despite statements about reducing their business, they continue to work in Russia and pay taxes.
The press service of NAPC reports this.
PepsiCo
According to NAPC, PepsiCo has 19 factories, about 20 thousand employees and 40 thousand agricultural workers in Russia. In terms of net profit, PepsiCo is the fourth largest company in the field of beverages and food products in the Russian Federation.
PepsiCo increased its revenues in Russia during the first year of its full-scale invasion. Thus, the revenue of Pepsico Holdings LLC for 2022 increased to $2.59 billion, in particular, net profit increased by 333% to $525 million. Taxes to the Russian budget were paid for more than $115 million.
In March 2022, the company announced it would cease advertising and beverage production in Russia due to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. However, in August 2022, production of 7Up and Mirinda drinks under the Evervess and Frustyle brands resumed. Pepsi resumed production in March 2023.
“The lack of sincere intentions to leave the Russian market is also indicated by the fact that the company’s career page lists more than 580 open vacancies in the Russian Federation,” the message says.
Mars
Mars has been operating in Russia for more than 30 years, has invested $2.5 billion in the economy of the aggressor country, created more than 6 thousand jobs and has 10 factories in Russia.
The company promised to reduce business in the Russian Federation after the start of full-scale aggression. However, factories continue to operate in Russia with increased revenues in 2022 compared to 2021. The revenue of Mars LLC for 2022 increased to $2.45 billion, net profit increased by 59% to $377 million, taxes were paid to the Russian budget by more than $93 million.
On the personnel search website, the Russian branch of Mars LLC publishes advertisements for the recruitment of new personnel (more than 100 current vacancies).
NAPC list
Let us recall that the NACP is the body responsible for the compliance system in the private sector. During the compliance procedure, counterparties are subject to virtue checks, including socially responsible business conduct in accordance with OECD standards.
The list of “International Sponsors of War” is a reputational tool for achieving the virtue of supply chains in the international dimension, the exit of international business from Russia, therefore, reducing the financial and technological capacity of a terrorist country.
