India needs to emerge and be seen as an electronics export hub to be able to tap into the new opportunities and attract investments from global handset players, a panel of top handset industry executives discussed at ETTelecom’s India Mobile Conclave on Tuesday.
The panel which was moderated by IDC’s research director Navkendar Singh emphasized on how India’s electronic industry has been majorly catering to the huge domestic demand wherein the value is more or less limited to assembling in India rather than designing in India.
“There is still a long way to go for India to become a manufacturing hub. Even though the Indian component ecosystem has grown fast, basic components like aluminium, copper need to grow and scale,” said Ajey Mehta, Country Head, HMD Mobile India.
While discussing scope of National Policy on Electronics 2019, he expressed that the policy can solve problems of driving manufacturing end to end. The policy can help fund IPs and promotion of startups can help in pushing end to end manufacturing in India.
“NPE is work in progress and culmination of efforts of 32 ministries. It is a policy created by the industry rather than something that was enforced on the industry. However, we are now coming to the end of macro policy making and it’s time for action now,” shared Pankaj Mohindroo, Chairman, India Cellular& Electronics Association.
India-bred Lava’s CMD Hari Om Rai expressed India is in goldilocks condition since it offers everything that is required to set up base here. Talking about NPE, he said that the policy is good intent-wise but intent needs to be converted to actions.
“India has to be built on exports, driven by multinationals and supported by domestic champions,” Rai said.
When it comes to manufacturing, the handset industry has a large volume. To further propel the growth of handset manufacturing, exports need to be encouraged by providing incentives during the initial phase, said Sasikumar Gendham, MD, Salcomp Manufacturing India.
Vivo India’s brand strategy director Nipun Marya told that all products that Vivo sells in India are made in India. He emphasized that the design in India dream can come true, however there needs to be an India-first approach to it.
While discussing the business case for setting up base in India, Carl Ngo, co-Founder & CEO of Vietnamese-player Mobiistar shared that big players are confident about setting up units in India. He further said that India government has built good momentum for promoting manufacturing in India.
Source :- Economictimes.indiatimes.com
