Global food and beverages major PepsiCo today commissioned phase one of its Rs 1,200-crore manufacturing plant at Sri City multi-product economic zone located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.

When completed, this plant is aimed at servicing the southern market which will have nine manufacturing lines.

Inaugurating the PepsiCo's biggest manufacturing unit in the county, Indra Nooyi, Chairman and CEO, said, "For more than 25 years, PepsiCo has been investing in the Indian economy and its people. As we move forward into our next 25 years, that commitment is stronger than ever."

At the inauguration function precided over by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Nooyi said, "With the plant and the company sourcing strategy, local farmers would benefit as we would make it a hub for sourcing mango pulp."

About 32,000 mango farmers would benefit from sourcing.

PepsiCo plans to manufacture its entire range of beverages by adding sports drinks to the portfolio.

Nooyi said that PepsiCo has become water positive in India that is it conserves more water than it consumes for its requirements in the country.

Assuring support for their expansion projects, the Chief Minister said that the new industrial policy is investor friendly providing faster clearances.

Basing on the success of the Sri City project located on 7,600 acres, where more than 100 companies are in the process of coming up, he said the State plans to have 10-15 similar projects.

The industrial policy and the support from the State Government would transform Andhra Pradesh and take it among the top investor friendly destinations, he said.

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