ITC Limited has acquired further 56,000 Ordinary Shares of Nepalese Rupees 100/- each of Surya Nepal Private Limited (Surya Nepal), earlier known as Surya Tobacco Company (P) Limited, a company incorporated under the laws of Nepal. With this acquisition, the total shareholding of the Company in Surya Nepal has gone up from 49% to 59%. As a consequence, Surya Nepal has become a subsidiary of the Company with effect from 20th August, 2002.