FMCG-to-hotels major ITC Limited has quietly entered the cigar manufacturing business marking its entry into the most sophisticated form of tobacco consumption.
"The company recently launched the Armenteros hand-rolled cigars in the Indian market," a company spokesman told PTI.
ITC's entry he said, was to mark a presence in the cigar business in the country which at present was serviced by imports.
The company, he said, has entered into an arrangement with the La Aurora factory in Dominican Republic, one of the oldest cigar manufacturing companies in the world.
Asked whether ITC was also eyeing neighbouring markets for exports, he said that at present, the focus would be on the domestic market.
ITC is the largest cigarette manufacturer in the country.