NITI Aayog developing a strategy to reduce supply chain reliance on China
India is developing a strategy to reduce its dependency on Chinese supply chains. The NITI Aayog is developing a plan to close the trade gap with China and offers recommendations for safeguarding supply chains from geopolitical threats.
According to a senior government official, the Aayog will support its policy recommendations regarding tariffs and non-tariff barriers. As part of the project, the NITI Aayog will also bring in a consulting firm to examine trade between China and India.
The official stated that given the Covid-19 outbreak and recent geopolitical tensions, supply diversification was essential given the dependency on Indian supply chains.
Editor’s Note: This seems to be a very good opportunity for countries other than China for engaging more with India. Indian Industry especially from the ICT and Electronics is keen in seeking collaboration from Taiwan and hence, it will be good to have more activities and engagements seeking synergies between Taiwan and India.
India plans semiconductor research institute to compete with the world’s finest
The Indian government, which aims to take the country to the forefront of manufacturing and research, has approved two large investments in semiconductors.
Rajeev Chandrasekhar, the minister of electronics and IT, received a report from the Semiconductor R&D Committee last Friday endorsing the establishment of the India Semiconductor Research Centre (ISRC), and he enthusiastically accepted the idea.
The Committee’s goal is for the Centre to lead industry-academia-government cooperation by facilitating a smooth transition from laboratory to fabrication facility, thus bridging the gap between research and production.
https://www.theregister.com/2023/10/23/india_semiconductor_investments/
Editor’s Note: This is in sync with India’s push for its Semiconductor dream. This institute is reported to be the like of ITRI of Taiwan and other such institutions at other countries. 。
First batch of engineering students hired by Micron
The chip maker Micron Semiconductor India Pvt Ltd (MSIPL), which had promised to open India’s first semiconductor plant in Sanand shortly, has begun hiring students from nearby colleges. The company has extended employment offers or internship-to-employment chances to about thirty students.
By year’s end, experts predict that about 150 fresh Gujarati engineering graduates will be hired by the emerging semicon sector. Incentives for recent electronics and communications (E&C) graduates range from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh per year.
Editor’s Note: This is to follow the first Semiconductor project of India. The plan is going well as planned and the report mention of hiring the first batch of students.
Laptop companies to expand their customer base owing to decline in demand
An increase in demand for old IT hardware has led major laptop manufacturers, such as HP and Asus, to enter the refurbished market. These businesses are looking for new ways to draw clients who are looking for reasonably priced computer solutions, as the market’s desire for new laptops has decreased following a pandemic-related spike.
In order to increase their reach, they are collaborating with independent retailers and setting up specific retail locations for refurbished laptops and PCs. It is anticipated that this strategy will expand the overall addressable market for IT hardware brands during a period of declining new device shipments in India.
Acknowledging this change, major brands are increasingly opening their own stores that focus on refurbished laptops and PCs or working with other retailers to serve a larger market that may not be able to purchase brand-new PCs.
Editor’s Note: The growing demand, especially at the rural markets has opened a business potential for refurbished laptops and PCs. Companies including Asus is engaging with stakeholders in increasing its supply for refurbished items.
Government modifies laptop and computer import licensing requirements
The government implemented an online authorization system for importers of IT hardware products, such as laptops and desktops, and modified the severe licensing requirements.
Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) Santosh Kumar Saranagi told reporters here that the new licensing or authorization regime, which would take effect immediately, is largely intended to monitor imports of these products to verify that they are coming from “trusted” sources.
He continued, saying that some “tweaking” of the policy and the introduction of an end-to-end online system for importers were done after considering the concerns of industry stakeholders.
IT hardware companies may need global certification
In order to create a reliable supply chain for India, the government is probably going to ask IT gear importers for international certification after postponing a possible import ban.
As per an ET article, importers of IT hardware may be requested by the government to furnish the requisite documentation to verify that their merchandise originates from a reliable source. The Centre would probably let the product’s import without requiring a licence as a result of the judgement.
According to reports, the certification might come from an international organization. An official stated that the company might do routine checks to ensure that the hardware’s components are free of malware and spyware and are sourced from reliable suppliers.
https://inc42.com/buzz/it-hardware-importers-intl-certification-india/
Editor’s Note: The above 2 reports are the updates on the new licensing scheme introduced by India for importing Laptops, Tablets, etc. The new report is of easing the licensing procedure and stipulating a global certification for ensuring the trustworthiness of the vendor and the quality of the product.
India takes a leap forward in EV adoption
An indigenous AC and DC combination charging connector standard called IS17017 (Part 2/Sec 7): 2023 has been approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for use with light electric vehicles (LEVs).
It is stated that this is the first-ever combined AC and DC charging connector standard for LEVs. It was created and developed in India and has the potential to set a global standard for LEVs.
All EV ecosystem participants—vehicle owners, manufacturers, and operators of charging stations—benefit from the adoption of this standard.
Editor’s Note: EV charging vendors should take a note of this as the new standard has been approved by the Bureau of Indian Standards. Going forward vehicle owners, manufacturers and operators of charging stations might be required to follow the standard operating in India.