India aiming to catch up in semiconductor manufacturing, potentially giving a big boost to the industry
印度意圖提升半導體製造能力，有望祭出鉅額補助
The Indian government, in a bid to accelerate semiconductor manufacturing and compensate for lost time, is gearing up to announce a substantial new incentive package. The existing Rs 76,000-crore package, launched in December 2021, has nearly depleted, prompting the need for a larger infusion of funds to bolster India’s semiconductor ambitions. According to reports, the forthcoming package is expected to surpass the previous one significantly and will likely become a top priority for the new government once it assumes office. This initiative comes in response to the aggressive investment strategies of countries like the US and China, which have unveiled substantial incentives to foster semiconductor production.
Despite initial struggles in attracting viable proposals for semiconductor manufacturing, India achieved a significant breakthrough when American Micron established a Rs 22,500-crore testing and packaging unit in Gujarat in June last year. The success of the December 2021 incentive package has spurred the government to develop a new one, especially as the current fiscal support for eligible display and semiconductor fabricators, covering up to 50% of project costs, is nearly exhausted due to recent investments flooding in. With many proposals at advanced stages, the government faces crucial decisions on incentives to propel India’s semiconductor industry forward amidst global competition.
小編點評：印度準備宣布一項實質性的新激勵計劃，旨在加速半導體製造，此舉將在現有的7600億盧比計劃用盡後實施。隨著像美國美光在古吉拉特邦設立的封測廠等成功企業的出現，政府旨在加強印度在激烈的全球半導體市場競爭力
India, Chinese Taipei request WTO to delay ruling on ICT import taxes dispute
印度和台灣已要求世界貿易組織延遲對ICT產品進口稅爭端的裁決
India and Chinese Taipei have jointly requested the WTO’s dispute settlement body to withhold any ruling on New Delhi’s import duties concerning certain information and technology products until July 26, as both sides work towards resolving the issue. This request was made during a meeting of the dispute settlement body (DSB) in Geneva on April 26, and the body agreed to delay consideration of the dispute panel’s reports until the specified date. This marks the fourth such request for delay from India and Chinese Taipei, aiming to facilitate the resolution of the disputes.
A dispute panel of the WTO, in its report dated April 17, 2023, found that import duties imposed by India on specific information and technology products violate global trading norms, following a case filed by the EU, Japan, and Taiwan. Chinese Taipei initiated a case against India in May 2019 over import duties on certain electronic goods, stating that they are covered under WTO’s Information Technology Products (ITA-2) agreement, from which India is not a participant. India argues that it adheres to ITA-1, signed in 1997, which does not require the elimination of customs duties on these products.
小編點評：印度和台灣已共同要求WTO延遲對新德里有關特定資訊和技術產品進口關稅的裁決到7月26日，以便他們繼續努力解決問題。這是雙方提出的第四次延遲請求，顯示了他們致力於找到一個彼此可接受的解決方案的決心。
Japan’s Sharp to invest $3-5 billion in a display fab semiconductor unit in India
日本的夏普公司計畫在印度投資30到50億美元，在該國設一個顯示器半導體廠房
Japan’s Sharp Corporation plans to invest $3-5 billion in establishing a display fab semiconductor factory in India, aiming to manufacture televisions and digital screens. The proposed sprawling facility, expected to cover 1,000 acres, signals Sharp’s substantial commitment to serving both local and global markets, with meetings held with India’s Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicating serious intent.
The proposed factory aims to produce cutting-edge Series 10 displays, positioning India as a significant player in the global semiconductor landscape. Discussions with state governments in Telangana, Gujarat, and Maharashtra for land acquisition are underway, although approval timelines may be affected by ongoing elections. This move aligns with India’s ambition to achieve self-sufficiency in semiconductors, with other global players also expressing interest in India’s semiconductor ecosystem. This burgeoning industry holds promise for reducing import dependency, fostering indigenous innovation, and driving economic growth, with India striving to become a major semiconductor manufacturing hub with substantial investments and policy support.
Centre Wants Manufacturers of Electronic Components to Protect Security Interests of the Nation: IT Secy
IT部長：中央希望電子零組件製造商保護國家安全利益
Union IT Secretary S. Krishnan emphasized the need for electronic component manufacturers to prioritize national security interests in their projects. Speaking at the 10th G Ramachandran Endowment Lecture, he underscored the importance of incorporating cybersecurity measures from the design phase itself. Krishnan highlighted the significant national risks posed by cyber threats and advocated for a “secure by design” approach to ensure the country’s security interests are safeguarded from the outset of product development.
Additionally, Krishnan stressed the importance of building resilient supply chains to mitigate external risks, such as geopolitical tensions. He pointed out the vulnerabilities exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized the need for diversification to prevent disruptions in critical industries like semiconductor manufacturing. Furthermore, he highlighted the Ministry of Electronics’ efforts to address climate change by collaborating with other departments to optimize production processes and promote sustainability.
小編點評：印度中央電子資訊科技部部長S. Krishnan強調，電子零組件製造商在設計階段就應優先考慮國家安全利益，整合網路安全措施。在第十屆G Ramachandran講座上發表演講時，Krishnan強調了採取「以安全為設計」方法以減緩網路威脅的必要性，並主張建立強韌的供應鏈以應對外部風險，突顯了印度電子部門在可持續發展和氣候變化減緩方面的倡議。
Tata Electronics developing hi-tech machines to produce iPhone cases
塔塔電子正在開發高科技機具用於生產 iPhone 機殼
Tata Electronics is reportedly spearheading the internal development of sophisticated high-precision machines essential for producing iPhone casings. Partnering with two Indian manufacturers, the company aims to enhance its capabilities domestically and eventually export these machines. Previously reliant on imports from China, Tata’s move signals a strategic shift towards self-reliance and boosting India’s manufacturing ecosystem. These machines, vital for production lines of contract manufacturers serving global giants like Apple, are being tested at Tata’s Hosur facility, reflecting a broader objective to reduce dependence on specific components and foster local expertise.
The initiative holds significant potential to catalyze an industry around casing production in India, according to experts. If successful, Tata’s efforts in import substitution could establish a new standard for high-quality machine manufacturing in the country, aligning with Apple’s stringent standards. Amidst a growing emphasis on precision manufacturing, the development of such capital goods is deemed crucial by industry leaders, signaling a broader ambition to position India as a key hub for electronics assembly and components.
小編點評：塔塔電子正引領開發專為 iPhone 機殼生產的精密機具，旨在減少對中國進口的依賴，並增強印度的製造能力。這一戰略舉措不僅意味著向自給自足的轉變，還有潛力將印度建立為精密製造和電子組裝領域的重要參與者，與蘋果等公司設定的全球標準相符。
WhatsApp tells Delhi High court to leave India if forced to break encryption
WhatsApp 告知德里高等法院，如果被迫破壞加密，就會撤出印度
In an ongoing hearing at the Delhi High Court, Meta-owned WhatsApp reiterated its stance that it would cease operations in India should it be compelled to compromise its message encryption protocols. Emphasizing the centrality of end-to-end encryption in safeguarding user privacy, WhatsApp’s legal representative, Tejas Karia, underscored that the platform’s decision to maintain encryption integrity is non-negotiable. With India being WhatsApp’s largest market, boasting over 400 million users, the platform’s commitment to privacy resonates strongly amidst ongoing legal challenges.
WhatsApp and its parent company, Meta, are actively contesting the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, which mandate message tracing and sender identification. Arguing that these regulations undermine encryption and violate constitutional privacy rights, WhatsApp contends that compliance would compromise user privacy and constitutional guarantees. Despite defense from the central government, which highlights the necessity of tracing message originators in contemporary contexts, the Delhi High Court has acknowledged the complex balance between privacy rights and regulatory imperatives. Scheduled hearings on WhatsApp and Meta’s petitions are set for August 14, reflecting the high-stakes legal battle over encryption and user privacy in the digital age.
小編點評：在德里高等法院的聽證會，WhatsApp 重申了其堅定立場，如果被迫妥協其消息加密協議，將停止在印度的業務，突顯了端到端加密在保護用戶隱私方面的不可妥協性。WhatsApp 在印度擁有超過 4 億用戶，其對加密完整性的承諾凸顯了關於隱私權和監管要求的法律爭議中的高風險。
To disrupt India’s consumer electronics and home appliance business, Mukesh Ambani turns to ‘Wyzr’
為了進軍印度的消費電子和家電業務，穆克什·安巴尼轉向「Wyzr」
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) is in the final stages of negotiations with domestic contract manufacturers Dixon Technologies and Mirc Electronics to bolster its new brand, Wyzr, in the Indian consumer electronics and home appliances market. Launched in the financial year 2023-24, Wyzr initially introduced a range of coolers and now plans to expand into other product categories, aiming to challenge the dominance of multinational corporations in the local market. Led by Mukesh Ambani, RIL’s strategic move aligns with its successful disruption of the feature phone market through JioPhone and leverages the government’s Make in India initiative to capitalize on domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Wyzr products are positioned to offer competitive pricing compared to established brands like LG, Samsung, and Whirlpool, with an eye on capturing market share in segments such as air conditioners where Tata-owned Voltas currently leads. RIL’s previous attempts in the consumer electronics sector, including the Reconnect brand for televisions and appliances, faced limited success due to reliance on partners for design and manufacturing. Recognizing the need for greater control over product development and manufacturing, RIL is pursuing an independent brand strategy to establish a stronger foothold in the rapidly evolving Indian consumer electronics landscape.
小編點評：信實工業有限公司（RIL）正在與Dixon Technologies和Mirc Electronics進行最後談判，以加強其在印度消費電子和家電市場上的新品牌Wyzr。由穆克什·安巴尼領導，RIL目的在利用國內製造能力和低價格策略，挑戰跨國公司的主導地位。Wyzr專注於擴展至空調等其他市場區域，以捕捉市占率，這與RIL獨立品牌戰略相一致，目標在在不斷變化的印度消費電子市場上建立更強大的存在。