FMCG firm Nestle Thursday opened its first research and development centre in India to further its understanding of Indian consumers and to provide scientific and technological expertise to rest of its global business.

The company has invested 50 million Swiss Francs (about Rs 287 crore) in the centre which has come up at Manesar in Haryana.

“Our R&D centre in India will help us gain important insights in to the local consumer’s eating habits and taste preferences as well as greater expertise in using and processing local ingredients to develop products for India and beyond,” Nestle Chief Executive Officer Paul Bulcke told reporters.

As with all Nestle’s R&D centres, it will be a part of the company’s worldwide R&D network enabling Nestle to acquire local knowledge and use it on a global scale, he added.

The centre which will specialise in Asian noodles and cooking will focus on developing highly nutritious, affordable products in appropriate serving sizes for lower income consumers, the company said.

“Nestle’s investment in India reflects its long term commitment to strengthen R&D capability in emerging markets,” Bulcke said.

With opening of this centre the company aims to extend the range of mainstream products it currently offers in the country particularly in noodles, cereals and dairy categories, he added.

Nestle employees 7,000 people in the country and its products are sold in 40 lakh outlets across India. (PTI)