Mr Cofer joined P&G in 1985 and has been with P&G in India leading the customer business development (CBD) function since March 1998. ``Mr Cofer has developed significant understanding and experience of the Indian market over the past two and a half years in India,'' a company release said.

Mr Cofer has spent the past 10 years in various P&G operations in Asia in diverse markets such as Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and China. He is said to have, over the past two years, established a track record of success in the Indian market. The company has also announced the appointment of P&G director (human resources) Sunil Durani as the executive director of Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care, effective September 1, 2000.

Mr Durani joined P&G in November 1981 and has had important assignments in HR and CBD functions. He has been heading HR functions since 1992.

Procter & Gamble Co operates in India through two subsidiaries -- Procter & Gamble Hygiene and Health Care and Procter & Gamble Home Products, a wholly-owned subsidiary. In India, P&G has presence in focused areas like healthcare, feminine hygiene care, hair care and fabric care, through international brands such as Whisper, Vicks, Ariel, Tide, Head & Shoulders, Pantene, Pringles, Tempo and Tampax.