According to aninews.in, Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met Luca Zaramella, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Mondelez International, in Chicago on August 29, 2026, to discuss expanding the company’s manufacturing, sourcing, services, and export footprint in India.
Strategic Dialogue During Official US Visit
The meeting took place during Sitharaman’s official nine-day visit to Canada and the US, which runs from August 25 to September 2, 2026. The US leg began on August 28. Discussions centred on Mondelez’s growing presence in India and opportunities to deepen its integration into global production and supply-chain networks. According to the Ministry of Finance, talks covered the company’s continued investments in Indian manufacturing infrastructure and scaling operations across categories including chocolate, biscuits, and other snacking products.
Sitharaman welcomed Mondelez’s confidence in India and highlighted the country’s skilled talent base, expanding manufacturing capabilities, and evolving supply-chain ecosystem as key enablers for serving both domestic and international markets. She emphasized government efforts to improve the ease and cost of doing business — citing regulatory simplification, digitalisation, and infrastructure upgrades as concrete measures aimed at enabling long-term investment by global companies.
The government’s outreach aligns with its broader push to strengthen India’s manufacturing capabilities and position the country as an increasingly important production and export hub. For multinationals like Mondelez, India’s expanding manufacturing ecosystem and availability of skilled talent could support increased local sourcing and production while catering to the domestic market and overseas demand.
Brand Portfolio and Operational Scope
Mondelez operates a significant portfolio in India under globally recognized brands, including Cadbury, Oreo, and Bournvita. While the Ministry’s post did not disclose any specific investment amount or announce a new manufacturing project, the discussions indicate scope for expanded production, sourcing, services, and exports from India. The engagement reflects the government’s sustained focus on attracting long-term foreign direct investment and deepening India’s integration into international supply chains.
For Mondelez, greater investment in manufacturing and sourcing in India could strengthen the country’s role within its broader global operations. It also supports access to India’s expanding domestic market — a strategic priority amid rising consumer demand and retail modernization. The meeting reaffirmed India’s attractiveness as a manufacturing and export node for global snack companies with complex, multi-regional supply requirements.
Source: aninews.in
Compiled from international media by the SCI.AI editorial team.
