Global food and beverages major PepsiCo India started the process to set up a food manufacturing plant at Nalbari district in Assam by performing a ‘Bhumi Puja’ on September 6.
The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
The proposed plant at AIDC Industrial Park, Banekuchi, Bonbhag Solmari in Nalbari district will be built on an area of 44.20 acre of land with an estimated project cost of Rs 778 crore. Once completed, the greenfield plant will generate employment opportunities for around 500 individuals.
Speaking on the occasion, chief minister Sarma said that setting up of the 6th plant of PepsiCo India at Nalbari is an important event in the history of industrialization in the state. The investment of PepsiCo is one of the largest investments in Assam. This important occasion marks the beginning of a new partnership between Assam government and PepsiCo India for a better and developed Assam, the chief minister added.
Talking about the project, Sarma said that state government has positively approached the proposal from PepsiCo and provided various incentives to facilitate establishment of the ambitious industrial investment in Assam, including quality infrastructure support of road, power supply etc. and also financial incentives. He said that PepsiCo India’s plant in Nalbari is expected to be operational by 2025.
“The plant is designed to generate employment for over 500 individuals, with a focus on achieving a 100 per cent diverse workforce, comprised of at least 75 per cent women,” a statement from the chief minister’s office said.
The plant is also expected to generate significant opportunities for businesses representing the MSME industry including packaging products like laminates, carton; scrap and other local ancillary industry, positively impacting the local families. He also said that farmers of the state will also adequately be benefitted as the company will buy the raw materials like potato from the local farmers.
The chief minister said that the new facility will further create additional demand for locally sourced ingredients, as this will help farming community of the state to be strengthened socially and economically.
The chief minister also said that the state government of late is gaining prominence as an attractive investment hub, drawing the attention of numerous investors owing to its business-friendly policies. He said that the decision of PepsiCo India to set up its foods manufacturing plant in Assam and invest in the state is a testimony to Assam’s increased importance as an attractive investment hub.
Environment and forest minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the conducive industrial climate of Nalbari for hosting new projects in the district. He also said that with the setting up of the plant by PepsiCo India, the economy of the state would receive a new fillip.
Industries and commerce minister Bimal Bora, power minister Nandita Gorlosa and other ministers, legislators, CEO PepsiCo for Africa, Middle East, South Asia Eugene Willemsen, president PepsiCo India Ahmed ElSheikh and others were present on the occasion.
