A series of investments lined up for taking state’s industrial development to a new height: CM
PepsiCO India sets its 6th plant at Nalbari
CM performs Bhumi Pujan for setting the Food Manufacturing Plant at Nalbari
The Greenfield plant to create job opportunities for 500 youth
To script a new saga of growth, Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the process of setting up of PepsiCo India Food Manufacturing Plant at Nalbari by performing Bhumi Pujan at Nalbari today.
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 green field plant will generate employment opportunities for around 500 individuals.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma said that setting up of the 6th plant of PepsiCO India in Nalbari is an important event in the history of industrialization in the state. The investment of the 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, Dr. Sarma said that State government has positively approached the proposal from PepsiCo and provided various incentives to facilitate establishment of this 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.
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. He 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 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.
Dr. Sarma also said that in the last few months, starting from 9th May, 2023, significant investments have started in the industrial sector in Assam. On 9th May, eight numbers of MoUs were signed worth Rs 8,201 crores, with employment generation of 6,115 jobs. The Cabinet has also approved the incentives for next set of industrial investors numbering six who are investing approximately Rs 3,113 crores with employment creation of 5,100 including direct and indirect jobs. The MoU signing ceremony with these companies will be planned very shortly.
Chief Minister Dr. Sarma on the occasion also appealed to the people of Assam, to extend all possible support to the new industries that are investing in Assam. He also assured the investors that he is available on 24X7 basis, as he would address all the problems of the investors. The Chief Minister also thanked PepsiCo India for its decision in setting up its plant in Assam.
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, PHE Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, Environment and Forest Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary, Power Minister Nandita Gorlosa, Tea Tribes Welfare Minister Sanjay Kishan, MLA Prasanta Phukan, CEO PepsiCo for Africa, Middle East, South Asia Eugene Willemsen, President PepsiCo India Ahmed ElSheikh and host of other dignitaries were present on the occasion.