Press Information Bureau

Government of India

Ministry of Commerce & Industry

05-February-2013 13:59 IST

The Union Minister for Commerce, Industry & Textiles Shri Anand Sharma met Mr. John Culver, President, Starbucks Coffee China and Asia Pacific and Ms. Avani Saglani Davda, Chief Executive Officer of Tata Starbucks Limited (TSL) here today. Mr. Culver conveyed to Mr. Sharma that TSL is committed to high-quality coffee sourcing and long-standing sourcing relationship with India. Mr. Culver also explained their plans and initiatives as part of the coffee sourcing and roasting agreement with Tata coffee.

Mr. Culver informed Shri Sharma on working with the coffee growing communities of India with a specific focus on agronomy and sustainable farming practices, along with its community investment initiatives and employment generation activities. Shri Sharma was also informed that local craftsmen will be involved in designing the outlets in India which will have a distinct Indian imprint in ambience and offerings. Shri Sharma said that it is a matter of happiness that a global investor is sensitive towards the needs of the local growers and recognizes local talent. “India provides a robust investment environment which is being recognized by the global investors,” said Shri Sharma.

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DS/RK

Local sourcing commitments promote sustainable farming and partner-led procurement to engage domestic growers and create local jobs. A multinational coffee company confirmed long-term procurement under a sourcing and roasting agreement with a domestic partner, committing to engage local growers and suppliers. The initiative focuses on agronomy support, sustainable farming practices, community investment and employment generation in coffee growing regions, and on using local craftsmen for outlet design to reflect a distinct local imprint.