INDIA – Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), the world’s largest beer producer, has announced plans to invest US$250 million to expand its presence in India’s beverage sector.
The announcement was made by India’s Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Paswan disclosed that the multinational brewer will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with various Indian states in the near future, adding that the investment will span the next two to three years.
States such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and those in South India are expected to benefit from AB InBev’s expansion plans.
“Through food processing industries, we did have some further collaboration globally in terms of beverages. In the sector of beverages, we had an announcement of an investment of around 250 million dollars from AB InBev,” Paswan stated.
“In the coming two to three years, they’ll be investing around 250 million dollars in our country in various states in the sector of beverages”
The minister highlighted India’s efforts to foster global collaboration and attract foreign investments, emphasizing that platforms like the WEF provide a valuable opportunity to showcase the country’s potential in the global market.
“India has been very clear in terms of global collaboration, and our representation at Davos every year underscores our commitment to global progress,” he said.
AB InBev ventures in energy drink market
Meanwhile, AB InBev is also venturing into the United States’ rapidly growing energy-drinks market.
The company has partnered with sports-nutrition and supplements group 1st Phorm to launch an energy-drinks brand, set to debut in mid-2025. The new beverage will be distributed by AB InBev’s wholesale partners in the U.S.
The collaboration is “aimed at fueling new innovations within the rapidly growing energy drinks and related beverage segments”, said AB InBev.
Notably, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) CEO Dana White will work with both companies to develop the brand.
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