ITC Limited the company involved in sectors as wide-ranging as cigarettes hotels and beyond has a phenomenal medium-term investment plan. The company will be investing Rs 20000 crore to expand its manufacturing presence in various categories. Sanjiv Puri the companys chairman announced the companys exclusive investment during the Annual General Meeting. Sanjiv Puri stated that as part of its growth strategy the company has recently set up eight new manufacturing facilities in recent years.  The units focused on FMCG sustainable packaging and value-added agri-products for export. Furthermore he stated the focus of the company would be its Bharat First strategy of building its business in India first before expanding internationally. He said even as the company strengthens its presence in India there are new brand launches that reinforce the company’s plan to build more value into the business. While speaking at the Annual General Meeting Sanjiv Puri the companys chairman said that Global turbulence has exposed the fragility of traditional supply chains. Encouraged by the promise of the Indian economy your company has invested in eight world-class manufacturing facilities in the recent past with an outlay of nearly Rs 4500 crore Puri informed shareholders at the companys Annual General Meeting held virtually. As we continue to scale new horizons ITC plans to invest Rs 20000 crore across businesses in the medium term Puri said without providing further details. He had earlier announced this investment plan during the 2024 AGM speech. The investment could span in areas such as FMCG sustainable packaging and export-oriented value-added agricultural products. As we continue to scale new horizons. While he did not provide a specific timeline for the proposed capex Puri said the investment will be directed toward areas aligned with the companys ITC Next strategy which seeks to build a future-ready portfolio through both organic and inorganic expansion. He said the company has built 40 state-of-the-art manufacturing assets enriching ITCs robust ecosystem of 250 dedicated factories and 7500 MSMEs. Across your companys businesses over 90 per cent of value-addition takes place in the country enlarging ITCs contribution to the economy he noted. A key pillar of this strategy is ITCs foray into the online food services space through a fast-scaling food-tech platform. A new vector of growth envisioned in the ITC Next strategy is your companys Food-Tech business which leverages your companys strengths in foods hotels and digital technologies to tap into the fast-growing online food services segment Puri said. The business has already scaled up to 60 cloud kitchens across five cities under four brands — ITC Master Chef Creations Aashirvaad Soul Creations Sunfeast Baked Creations and Sansho by ITC Master Chef. This business has registered a CAGR of 108% in the 3 years since inception setting new benchmarks in culinary innovation and tech-enabled operations gaining increasing consumer franchise he said adding that the platform is now being progressively introduced across the country. On ITCs global outlook Puri reiterated that its global ambitions are anchored in a strong domestic foundation. It is our firm belief that Indian brands must adorn the global stage and towards that establish an enduring legacy in Bharat first before making an impact overseas he said. ITCs FMCG portfolio currently represents an annual consumer spend of over Rs 34000 crore and reaches more than 260 million households across India with a growing presence in over 70 international markets. The growing consumer patronage and trust over the years for your companys products emboldens our aspiration to expand our FMCG portfolio with the overarching ambition to serve domestic and global consumers with these world-class home-grown brands of impeccable quality Puri said. The company launched over 100 new products last year across categories such as health and nutrition hygiene naturals convenience and on-the-go while continuing to build on mega brands and pursue value-accretive acquisitions like 24 Mantra Organic Prasuma Yoga Bar and Mother Sparsh. Responding to shareholder queries Puri said the company had introduced over 300 new products in the past three years highlighting innovation as a continuing priority to meet dynamic consumer preferences. On the performance of the paperboards and packaging business Puri acknowledged that it remains a cyclical industry currently facing headwinds due to dumping of cheap imports and a surge in wood prices. He added that the industry has sought safeguard measures from authorities to address structural challenges.