Global food and beverages major PepsiCo Chairperson and CEO Indra Nooyi on Thursday (March 02) called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The food-and-beverage giant's India-born CEO discussed several issues ranging from the company's promise to walk in tandem with the government's development programmes that will benefit the farmers.
Nooyi also expressed her intention to raise the company's investment in India and manufacture healthier drinks, according to a statement released by the company.
"As I shared with Prime Minister Modi, PepsiCo is well-positioned to help the government deliver on the national development goals he has outlined for farmers and supporting their livelihoods. The Prime Minister and I had an engaging dialogue on how PepsiCo is making investments to grow, process and use more Indian-grown fruit juice in our sparkling beverages. We also discussed our launch of new Quaker Oats products that take traditional recipes and add in whole grain Quaker Oats to help Indians start their day in a healthy way," said Nooyi.
According to several media reports, Nooyi was expected to discuss PepsiCo's investment plans, the company's drive to cut sodium and sugar in food and beverages, and the government's remonetisation drive.
On Tuesday, PepsiCo and the Maharashtra government entered into an agreement to drive skill development with a focus to modernise the ITIs as well as work on skill development of workers in various food processing units.
The agreement was signed after Nooyi met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis in Mumbai.
The American multinational corporation also proposed to create an integrated citrus cluster in the state to improve the livelihoods and security for farmers over the long term, the company said in a statement.
The company already runs a partnership in the state under which it has invested Rs 180 crore in a citrus processing facility.
"We are committed to invest further in the states progress with increased agricultural sourcing. As part of our continued commitment to Maharashtra, we have invested Rs 180 crore in a citrus processing facility at Nanded.
"Continuing with our commitment, we and Maharashtra also discussed collaboration towards skill development with a focus to modernise ITIs as well as work on skill development in various food processing plants in partnership with the state," the company said.
Last month, Nooyi said that the demonetisation drive had a “significant impact” on the company’s business in India in the last quarter of 2016 and there are still “lingering effects” of it.
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PTI also contributed to this story)
