Primebook: Delhi-Based Startup Aims to Redefine Student Computing with Affordable Android Laptops
India, known for its IT software prowess, has often lagged in creating globally recognized hardware brands. Primebook, a Delhi-based company, is challenging this trend by introducing affordable, student-centric Android laptops. Founded by Chitranshu Mahant and Aman Verma, alumni of IIT Delhi, the startup launched Floydwiz Technologies in 2018 and developed PrimeOS, an Android-11-based operating system tailored for education. Their laptops, Primebook 4G and Primebook Wi-Fi, are priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 14,000, offering an affordable solution for students in India and emerging markets. With an 11.6-inch screen, lightweight design, and features like 4GB RAM, multiple connectivity ports, and MediaTek processors, these laptops promise to blend the versatility of Android apps with the productivity of a traditional laptop.
Primebook’s innovation highlights the potential of homegrown solutions in addressing local needs, a lesson relevant to international companies targeting emerging markets. By focusing on affordability and functionality tailored to the Android-based education systems prevalent in India, Primebook exemplifies how technology can be adapted to bridge gaps in digital accessibility. As global brands strive to penetrate cost-sensitive markets, Primebook serves as a reminder of the competitive edge that localized innovation can provide.
Editor’s Note: Primebook, a Delhi-based startup, is revolutionizing student computing by offering affordable Android laptops tailored to the needs of India’s education sector. With prices ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 14,000, these laptops feature an Android-11-based operating system, 4GB RAM, and versatile connectivity, making them an ideal solution for students in emerging markets, potentially challenging Taiwanese companies that dominate the low-cost laptop market by offering a more localized, budget-friendly alternative. Taiwanese companies can address this challenge by focusing on localizing their products, offering more affordable, education-centric solutions, and partnering with regional players to better cater to the specific needs and price sensitivity of emerging markets like India.
India Leads Global AI Adoption with Exceptional Trust and Integration
India is setting new benchmarks in artificial intelligence adoption, as revealed by Freshworks’ AI Workplace Report. With 79% of Indian organizations planning to boost AI budgets and an average spending increase of 41% projected for 2024—the highest globally—the country is accelerating its integration of AI tools across industries. The report highlights that 45% of Indian professionals use AI daily, nearly double the global average of 26%, while 91% feel comfortable using AI, compared to 67% globally. Workforce upskilling is a priority, with 88% of businesses in India investing in AI training, far surpassing global counterparts like the UK (66%) and Europe (67%). Marketing and IT teams lead in AI implementation, contributing to improved ROI and career advancements for 67% of Indian workers, significantly higher than in the US (34%) and UK (35%).
This rapid progress holds valuable insights for non-Indian companies seeking to harness AI’s potential. India’s focus on mandatory AI policies, comprehensive training, and trust in AI-powered tools highlights strategies that drive productivity and innovation. With 85% of Indian business leaders reporting improved ROI from AI investments, international organizations can adopt similar frameworks to remain competitive. The integration of AI in customer service and employee support functions, particularly through chatbots, underscores the transformative potential of AI in enhancing both client experiences and operational efficiency. India’s leadership in AI adoption serves as a blueprint for leveraging AI to navigate the future of work successfully.
Editor’s Note: India is leading global AI adoption, with 79% of organizations planning to increase AI budgets and 45% of professionals using AI daily, nearly double the global average. The country’s strong focus on workforce upskilling, with 88% of businesses investing in AI training, sets it apart from global counterparts, while AI’s integration in marketing and IT is boosting ROI and career growth. This rapid adoption offers valuable lessons for international companies, showcasing how mandatory AI policies, training, and trust in AI tools can drive innovation and productivity.
Hong Fu Industrial Group Breaks Ground on Rs 1,500-Crore Footwear Facility in Tamil Nadu
Taiwanese footwear giant Hong Fu Industrial Group, a key supplier for brands like Nike, Adidas, Converse, and Puma, marked its entry into India with the groundbreaking ceremony for a Rs 1,500-crore manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu’s SIPCOT Industrial Park, Panapakkam. The project, presided over by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, is set to become operational by January 2026 and will create 25,000 jobs, 85% of which will be for women. Hong Fu, the world’s second-largest non-leather athletic footwear producer with an annual output of 200 million pairs, cited India’s rapid economic growth and global influence as factors driving the investment.
This strategic move by Hong Fu underscores India’s growing appeal as a manufacturing destination, with Tamil Nadu emerging as a preferred hub for global businesses. For foreign companies, this development highlights India’s competitive advantages, including government support, skilled labor, and market potential under the “Make-in-India” initiative. Hong Fu’s partnership with the Tamil Nadu government demonstrates how collaborative efforts can drive economic growth, job creation, and industry expansion, offering a roadmap for other multinational corporations exploring opportunities in India.
Editor’s Note: Hong Fu Industrial Group, a Taiwanese footwear giant, has launched a Rs 1,500-crore manufacturing facility in Tamil Nadu, set to create 25,000 jobs, 85% of which will be for women. This move highlights India’s growing appeal as a manufacturing hub, with Tamil Nadu offering competitive advantages like government support, skilled labor, and market potential under the “Make-in-India” initiative.
India Achieves Record Growth in Renewable Energy Capacity, Surges Toward Sustainability Goals
India’s renewable energy sector has reached new heights, with total non-fossil fuel installed capacity hitting 213.70 GW in November 2024, a 14.2% rise from 187.05 GW in the same month last year, according to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The country added 14.94 GW of renewable energy capacity during FY24-25 up to November, nearly doubling the 7.54 GW installed in the same period in FY23-24. Solar power remains the frontrunner, with installed capacity growing by 30.2% to 94.17 GW in 2024, while wind power also saw an uptick of 7.6%, reaching 47.96 GW. Including pipeline projects, India’s total renewable energy capacity now stands at an impressive 472.90 GW, up 28.5% from last year.
This rapid growth highlights India’s commitment to renewable energy and offers significant opportunities for non-Indian companies. With robust government support and increasing investment, the renewable energy sector is an attractive destination for global firms specializing in technology, manufacturing, and financing. India’s expanding pipeline of solar and wind projects, coupled with its massive market potential, makes it a critical player in the global transition to sustainable energy solutions.
Editor’s Note: India’s renewable energy sector has seen remarkable growth, with its non-fossil fuel capacity reaching 213.70 GW in November 2024, driven by significant expansions in solar and wind power. This rapid progress presents immense opportunities for global companies, including those from Taiwan, to tap into India’s growing demand for renewable energy technology, manufacturing, and financing solutions.
EU Pressures India to Eliminate ICT Tariffs Amid WTO Dispute Stalemate
The European Union is invoking its Enforcement Regulation to press India to remove import duties on information and communication technology (ICT) products, citing a WTO ruling against India’s tariffs on mobile phones and electronic components. With the WTO’s Appellate Body defunct, the EU has given India until February 10, 2025, to respond or face potential unilateral action. India initially imposed a 7.5% duty on ICT goods in 2017 to bolster domestic manufacturing, later raising it to 20%. The EU has warned of commercial policy measures if a mutually acceptable solution is not reached, even as India opposes the EU’s proposed Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement (MPIA) for dispute resolution.
For non-Indian companies, the standoff could have significant implications. A resolution may reduce costs for EU and global ICT firms exporting to India, enhancing market access and profitability. Conversely, heightened tensions or retaliatory tariffs could disrupt supply chains and trade dynamics. As India and the EU continue negotiations for a bilateral free trade agreement, foreign businesses are closely watching for outcomes that could reshape trade policies in one of the world’s fastest-growing ICT markets.
Editor’s Note: The European Union is pressuring India to remove its ICT tariffs, citing a WTO ruling, with a deadline set for February 2025, or face potential unilateral action. Taiwan has also raised this concern in the WTO, as it is a major supplier of electronic components and ICT products, and any resolution or escalation of the dispute could significantly affect trade dynamics and market access for Taiwanese businesses exporting to India.
India Secures $40 Billion Investment for Electric Vehicle Sector by 2030
India’s electric vehicle (EV) and ancillary industries are set to receive a massive investment of INR 3.4 lakh crore ($40 billion) over the next six years, according to a report by real estate consultancy Colliers India. The report, ‘EVs in India: Renewed Vigour in Electric Mobility’, highlighted the growing momentum in India’s EV sector, with sales expected to reach 2 million units in 2024. Investments include $27 billion allocated for lithium-ion battery production and $9 billion for EV and Original Equipment (OE) manufacturing. Despite these strides, the report raised concerns about the “tardy progress” in achieving the government’s ambitious target of 30% EV penetration by 2030, as current adoption rates stand at just 8%.
For non-Indian companies, this investment surge presents significant opportunities across the EV value chain, from battery manufacturing and component supply to technological innovation and infrastructure development. With India positioning itself as a global EV hub, foreign firms can tap into a rapidly expanding market while contributing to the country’s sustainable mobility goals. The growing emphasis on lithium-ion batteries and localized production also signals opportunities for international partnerships and technology transfer, making India a key player in the global EV landscape.
Editor’s Note: India is set to receive $40 billion in investments for its electric vehicle (EV) sector by 2030, with a focus on battery production, EV manufacturing, and infrastructure development. For Taiwanese companies, this represents a significant opportunity to tap into the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, EV components, and technology partnerships, positioning them to play a key role in India’s EV growth and its transition to sustainable mobility.