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Diageo India has announced a Rs 45 crore (approx. $5.7 million) investment in a new craft and innovation hub in Ponda, Goa. The investment builds on the company's strategy to accelerate innovation and strengthen its craft and premium portfolio. The hub will span four acres and, when fully operational, will produce 20,000 cases a month and offer end-to-end capabilities for in-house malt, gin and rum distillation. The facility, which will employ 250 people locally, will also feature blending and maturation for spirits, an automated bottling and packaging line, and a warehouse for incoming and finished products. In line with Diageo's 2030 sustainability goals, the hub will use 100% renewable energy for distillation and more than 40% of the operations will be powered by in-house renewable electricity generated by its solar plant and steam turbine. Hina Nagarajan, managing director and CEO of Diageo India, said: “Goa is a hotbed for craft, demand for which is growing rapidly both in India and globally, among consumers who are keen to further discover and enjoy fine spirits. Today we celebrate another significant step forward; the launch of the craft and innovation hub in Goa, which builds upon our local insights and combines those with Diageo’s expertise to delight the next generation of consumers." She continued: "Our hub will serve as an incubator for select start-ups, providing them with sophisticated infrastructure to build their offerings. We are excited about the innovative possibilities this facility could bring not just for us, but the entire ecosystem as well.”