Bermuda-based Bacardi is set to boost its presence in the Indian market by joining forces with SNJ Distilleries to produce around 20,000 cases per month from its bottling plant in Tamil Nadu.

That is according to The Economic Times in India, who claimed sources close to the development said that if all the approvals were cleared by July, the first brand of Barcadi White Rum would hit the market by the first week of August.

"Barcadi has got a green signal to make three brands here, of which two are White Rum and Vodka," the source told the publication.

An official from Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (Tasmac), which controls wholesale and retail liquor trade in the state, said: "Everything is on track and the company is waiting for price fixation Once the price is fixed Barcadi would be the first multinational brand that would be bottled in the state. Tasmac had a board meeting on June 18 to discuss this issue, but the outcome has not been disclosed to anyone. Once its out, the government will issue a GO and then the brand would get registered here."

Bacardi currently imports 20 cases of Black Rum and Carta Blanca Rum every month from Delhi and the two brands are available at all the Tasmac stores in Tamil Nadu. The company also has its own plant in Karnataka.

Bacardi Martini India president and CEO Mahesh Madhavan confirmed the company had tied-up with SNJ Distilleries for a bottling pact and is waiting for government approvals to start manufacturing its brands in Tamil Nadu.

"We are not spending money to build any plant so it is difficult to give out any statistics," he said.

Industry and market sources hinted that Barcadi would be paying SNJ Distilleries a fee for every bottle made in the plant.

Bacardi already sells brands like Bacardi rum, Bacardi Breezer, flavoured rum and Grey Goose vodka in the Indian market.