Mars Inc Snickers
A shopkeeper removes Mars Bars and Snickers Bars from the shelves of her convenience store in this file picture taken on July 2, 2005 in Sydney.Reuters

America's leading manufacturer of chocolate, confectionary and pet food products Mars Inc will be setting up its first chocolate manufacturing industry in Pune, India.

The wholly owned subsidiary of Mars Inc - Mars International - has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government of Maharashtra on Wednesday for setting up its first chocolate manufacturing plant worth ₹1,005 crore in Pune's Khed town.

The company said its investment in India will generate 200 direct and over 1,000 indirect employment opportunities, reported Business Standard.

"India is a high priority market for Mars. India is one of the most rapidly emerging chocolate markets in the world and we hope to capitalise on that through this manufacturing plant. We are excited to have invested in a highly potential market like India which is poised for further growth," Ehab Abou-Oaf, Mars Chocolate Asia Pacific Regional President said.

Mars India, which was importing chocolates from Snickers, Galaxy, ever since it started selling its product in India four years ago, will now manufacture the two including Mars, Bounty and Twix at its plant in Pune.

At present Mars India manufactures pet care products of brands Pedigree and Whiskas.

"... Chocolate industry in India is growing at nearly 20 per cent every year and we see this as a huge opportunity to expand our chocolate portfolio in the country in the coming years. Our Pune plant is planned to be completely eco-friendly and a Leed Gold certified facility. This will boost our production capacity and efficiently support the growing demand for Mars chocolates in India," said MV Natarajan, India General Manager of Mars International.