Acer India Climbs to No. 2 Position in PC Market as Demand Shifts Toward AI and Performance Computing
Acer India has secured the second position in India’s personal computing market with a 21.3% market share in the first quarter of 2026, according to IDC’s preliminary India PC market tracker. The company attributed its growth to strong demand across consumer, gaming, and enterprise segments, supported by increasing adoption of hybrid work, education-led computing, creator-focused devices, and AI-ready PCs. Acer’s diversified portfolio, including its mainstream laptops, Predator and Nitro gaming series, and commercial PC offerings, helped drive market share gains in an increasingly competitive environment. The company also highlighted the role of its sales teams, channel partners, and execution strategy in achieving the milestone.
Acer’s expansion has been further supported by its localisation efforts through its Puducherry manufacturing facility, a growing omnichannel retail network that is nearing 300 exclusive stores, and continued investments in after-sales service infrastructure. The development underscores the growing importance of India as a major PC market, where demand is increasingly being driven by gaming, content creation, enterprise refresh cycles, and AI-enabled computing rather than traditional replacement purchases. For non-Indian technology companies, Acer’s rise illustrates the value of combining local manufacturing, extensive retail reach, and market-specific product strategies to capture growth opportunities in one of the world’s fastest-evolving personal computing markets.
Editor’s Note: Acer India secured the second spot in the country’s PC market in Q1 2026 with a 21.3% share, driven by strong demand across consumer, gaming, and enterprise segments along with AI-ready devices. Its growth was supported by local manufacturing in Puducherry, nearly 300 exclusive retail stores, and investments in service infrastructure, underscoring India’s rising importance as a global PC market.
ASML, Tata Electronics Partner to Equip India’s First Commercial Semiconductor Fab
Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML has signed a strategic partnership with Tata Electronics to supply advanced lithography systems for India’s first commercial 300-mm semiconductor fabrication plant in Dholera, Gujarat. The agreement, signed in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten at The Hague, will support the $11 billion facility, which is expected to manufacture chips for automotive, mobile, IoT, AI, and wireless applications. The fab, designed with a capacity of 50,000 wafers per month, will produce semiconductors using mature technology nodes ranging from 28 nm to 110 nm and is targeted to become operational in 2027.
The partnership extends beyond equipment supply to include workforce training, supply chain development, and research infrastructure, reflecting India’s broader ambitions to establish a domestic semiconductor ecosystem. Tata Electronics has also partnered with Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), Tokyo Electron, and Synopsys as it builds out the facility, which is being designed as a highly automated Industry 4.0 manufacturing site. The development highlights growing semiconductor collaboration between India and the Netherlands and signals new opportunities for global technology companies seeking to participate in India’s rapidly expanding chip market, which is projected to more than triple in value over the coming years, driven by demand from consumer electronics, wireless communications, and automotive sectors.
https://www.eetimes.com/asml-tata-electronics-partner-for-indias-first-300-mm-semiconductor-fab
Editor’s Note: ASML has partnered with Tata Electronics to supply advanced lithography systems for India’s first commercial 300-mm semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat, a $11 billion facility expected to begin operations in 2027 with a capacity of 50,000 wafers per month. Beyond equipment, the collaboration includes workforce training, supply chain development, and research infrastructure, underscoring India’s push to build a domestic semiconductor ecosystem and attract global technology players.
CTBC Bank Opens GIFT City Branch to Strengthen India-Taiwan Financial Connectivity
Taiwan-based CTBC Bank has opened a new branch at GIFT City in Gujarat, becoming the first Taiwanese lender to establish a presence at India’s international financial services hub. The bank said the branch will support cross-border financing, trade and investment flows, treasury solutions, and broader financial connectivity between India, Taiwan, Asia, and global markets. CTBC Bank, which has operated in India for three decades through its branches in New Delhi and Chennai, stated that the new office will enhance its ability to serve clients engaged in cross-border business by providing greater efficiency and access to international financial products and services.
The move further strengthens GIFT City’s growing banking ecosystem and highlights its increasing role as a gateway for global financial institutions seeking access to India’s expanding economy. By establishing a presence in the financial hub, CTBC Bank aims to better serve businesses operating across the Indian subcontinent and Taiwan while leveraging GIFT City’s international financial infrastructure. The development is also significant for non-Indian companies, particularly those engaged in trade, investment, and supply chain activities between India and East Asia, as it expands the availability of cross-border banking services and strengthens financial links between key regional markets.
https://money.rediff.com/news/market/ctbc-bank-opens-gift-city-branch-in-india/47097920260515
Editor’s Note: CTBC Bank has opened a new branch at GIFT City in Gujarat, becoming the first Taiwanese lender at India’s international financial hub to boost cross-border financing, trade, and investment flows. The move strengthens GIFT City’s banking ecosystem and expands financial connectivity between India, Taiwan, and global markets.
India Considers Easing Tax Burden on Foreign Bond Investors Amid Push for Global Capital
India is evaluating a proposal to reduce taxes on foreign investments in its bond market as policymakers seek to attract greater overseas capital and align the country’s financial framework with international norms. The move, reportedly recommended by the Reserve Bank of India and under consideration by the Finance Ministry, comes at a time when the rupee has emerged as Asia’s weakest-performing currency in 2026, declining more than 6% against the US dollar. Foreign investors currently face taxes on capital gains as well as interest income from bond investments, with coupon payments typically taxed at around 20% after a preferential 5% rate expired in 2023.
The proposed tax relief is aimed at improving the attractiveness of Indian debt markets and addressing concerns raised by international investors regarding the relatively high tax burden. A reduction in taxes could encourage stronger foreign participation in government and corporate bonds, helping deepen market liquidity and broaden access to global capital. The development is particularly relevant for non-Indian financial institutions, asset managers, pension funds, and multinational companies, as a more investor-friendly bond market could create additional opportunities for investment, financing, and long-term engagement with India’s rapidly growing economy.
Editor’s Note: India is considering reducing taxes on foreign investments in its bond market to attract more overseas capital, as the rupee has weakened over 6% against the US dollar in 2026. The proposed relief would lower taxes on capital gains and interest income, making Indian debt markets more appealing to global investors and boosting liquidity.
India’s AI Gap Raises Questions Over Long-Term Appeal as Global Market Darling
India’s position as one of the world’s most favoured equity markets is facing growing scrutiny as global investment flows increasingly shift toward artificial intelligence-driven opportunities. According to reports, India risks losing ground to markets such as Taiwan and South Korea, which have benefited significantly from the global AI boom through their semiconductor and technology ecosystems. While India’s stock market had previously attracted investors on the back of strong domestic consumption, demographic advantages, and economic reforms, analysts argue that the country has not captured the same level of AI-led investment momentum that is currently reshaping global capital allocation.
The concerns come amid continued foreign investor outflows and growing debate over whether India’s technology sector can adapt quickly enough to the AI era. Market observers note that the country’s traditional IT services strengths face increasing disruption from AI-driven automation, while the broader market has struggled to benefit from the technology rally supporting several global peers. At the same time, India is expanding efforts in AI infrastructure, domestic AI model development, semiconductors, and data centres, signalling attempts to strengthen its position in the emerging technology landscape. For non-Indian companies, the development highlights both the risks and opportunities within India’s evolving digital economy, particularly for firms involved in AI, semiconductor manufacturing, cloud infrastructure, and advanced technology partnerships seeking long-term exposure to one of the world’s largest growth markets.
Editor’s Note: India’s equity market is under scrutiny as global investors shift toward AI-driven opportunities, with Taiwan and South Korea gaining from their semiconductor and tech ecosystems. While India’s strengths in consumption and reforms remain, analysts warn its IT sector faces AI disruption even as the country ramps up efforts in AI infrastructure, semiconductors, and data centers to capture future growth.
Taiwan Highlights Talent Development as Key to India’s Semiconductor Ambitions
As India accelerates efforts to build a globally competitive semiconductor industry, experts are emphasizing that talent development and international collaboration will be critical to the sector’s long-term success. In an interview, Mumin Chen highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for Indian students and professionals to gain hands-on experience in Taiwan’s advanced semiconductor ecosystem before returning to contribute to India’s growing chip manufacturing and design capabilities. The approach is seen as a practical way to bridge the skills gap while supporting India’s ambitions to establish a robust domestic semiconductor value chain.
The comments come as India ramps up investments in semiconductor fabrication, packaging, and electronics manufacturing through partnerships with global technology firms and supportive government policies. Taiwan, home to some of the world’s most advanced chipmakers, is increasingly viewed as a valuable partner in workforce development, technology exchange, and industry best practices. The development is also relevant for non-Indian companies, particularly those in semiconductors, electronics, and advanced manufacturing, as deeper India-Taiwan cooperation could expand the talent pool, strengthen supply chain resilience, and create new opportunities for collaboration in one of the fastest-growing semiconductor markets.
Editor’s Note: Experts stress that India’s semiconductor ambitions will depend on talent development and global collaboration, with Taiwan seen as a key partner for training and technology exchange. As India invests in fabs, packaging, and electronics manufacturing, deeper cooperation with Taiwan could expand the talent pool, strengthen supply chains, and open new opportunities for global companies in the fast-growing chip market.