|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mars Intl India signs MoU with Maharashtra govt; to invest Rs 1005 crore
|
|
Friday, 13 March, 2015, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, Mumbai
|
|
fiogf49gjkf0d Mars International India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mars Incorporated, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government, with regard to an investment of Rs 1,005 crore that the company intends to make in the state through its Pune manufacturing plant.
The MoU was signed between Apoorva Chandra, principal secretary, department of industries and M V Natarajan, GM, Mars International India (Chocolate), in the presence of Devendra Phadanavis, chief minister, Maharashtra, and Subhash Desai, minister of industries, Government of Maharashtra.
This investment is a significant step in deepening Mars International India’s presence and commitment to India.
The project is expected to generate direct employment opportunities for over 200 people and indirect employment opportunities to over 1,000 people, and bringing in the relevant know-how, operational excellence and global best practices. The plant will produce Mars’ brands Snickers and Galaxy to cater to the growing chocolate demand across the country.
Commenting on the announcement, Phadanavis, said, “Given the global legacy of Mars Inc., we welcome Mars International India’s latest investment of Rs1,005 crore in Pune, Maharashtra as a step towards bringing its world-class products to India, which will be liked by the youth and people, all alike. The environment-friendly plant will boost the economy and generate employment opportunities in Pune. This will be a great story of success for Make in India- Make in Maharashtra as currently all their products are being imported in India. We wish this project a great success.”
Speaking on the occasion, M V Natarajan, GM, Mars International India, said, “This initiative reiterates our continued commitment to India. Chocolate industry in India is growing at nearly 20% every year and we see this as a huge opportunity to expand our chocolate portfolio in the country in the coming years. We are thankful to the Government of Maharashtra, chief minister Devendra Phadanavis and Subhash Desai, minister of industries, for conferring the status of ‘Mega Project’ on our greenfield project.”
He added, “Pune is an investor-friendly and progressive city and we are delighted to deepen our commitment to India with our investment of Rs1005 crore. The climate, geography, talent availability, proximity to port, therefore to raw material and the proximity to demand cluster, makes Pune one of the most viable locations for chocolate manufacturing. Our Pune plant is planned to be completely eco-friendly and a LEED Gold certified facility. This will boost our production capacity and efficiently support the growing demand for Mars chocolates in India.”
Ehab Abou-Oaf, regional president, Mars Chocolate, Asia-Pacific, said, “India is a high priority market for Mars. We are here because we have a long-term view of business in India, to deliver sustainable, generational growth leading to mutual benefits for all our industry, our suppliers, our customers and consumers. India is one of the most rapidly emerging chocolate markets in the world and we hope to capitalise on that through this manufacturing plant. We are excited to have invested in a highly potential market like India which is poised for further growth.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|