Weekly News Updates-December 6 to December 12

India defends quality control orders at WTO; India’s plan for 50,000 e-buses on its roads; Toys ‘R’ Us to start manufacturing in India; MediaTek vying with Qualcomm and Apple; Acer reaffirms ‘Make in India’ commitment; Sahasra to invest Rs 350 cr to step up semiconductor packaging;

India defends quality control orders at WTO

India defended the quality control orders that have been imposed in a number of sectors, maintaining that the restrictions were required to guarantee product quality, protect the health of people, animals, and plants, and stop deceptive activities.

Issues concerning India’s quality control orders over the years in industries including toys, chemicals, ICT (information and communication technology) items, and auto parts were voiced by the US, Canada, Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu last year. 

They claimed that an ever-expanding list of particular trade issues has resulted from India’s remarks, which frequently do not fully address the questions put out by members.

https://www.business-standard.com/industry/news/from-toys-to-chemicals-india-defends-quality-control-orders-at-wto-123121000474_1.html

Editor’s Note: The news covers the answer provided by India to queries raised by countries including Taiwan at WTO on various control measures India took in safeguarding product quality, protecting health and restricting deceptive activities through imports.   

India’s plan for 50,000 e-buses on its roads, gets US support

By 2027, India wants to have 50,000 electric buses operating throughout the nation. Planned cooperative financial mechanism to achieve the aim was discussed by US and Indian officials during a side event at COP28 held at the Indian Pavilion.

The $390 million fund will reduce risks for individuals in need of investment by providing loans to producers wishing to increase output. It was founded with $240 million from the Indian government and $150 million from US charitable organizations and the US government.

In 2022, the Indian government announced plans to introduce 50,000 electric buses through the National Electric Bus Program (NEBP). However, only 1.25 percent of the 359,432 registered buses were electrified as of May 2023.

https://www.energymonitor.ai/news/signal-indias-plan-for-50000-electric-buses-gets-us-support/?cf-view

Editor’s Note: The news shows a model of collaboration in utilizing the scalable business opportunities of India. The EV industry is going to be an opportune industry for foreign investment and collaboration.

Global toy retailer Toys ‘R’ Us to start manufacturing in India from next year

The Economic Times (ET) reported that Toys ‘R’ Us, a multinational toy store, plans to begin manufacturing in India by the middle of next year, citing Stanley Silverstein, chief commercial officer of owner WHP Global, in support of the story. The retailer is expected to grow swiftly in India.

India is predicted by the company to rank among its top five in the next four to five years, according to a Business Standard report. The toy manufacturer already has two stores in the country, and it plans to open 75 more in the following three years.

Just before the COVID-19 epidemic, Toys ‘R’ Us traveled to India with a different licensee partner. After opening 10–12 stores, it was forced to close due to lockdown. In March of this year, it returned to the market.

https://www.business-standard.com/companies/news/toys-r-us-to-start-manufacturing-in-india-by-mid-next-year-report-123121100112_1.html

Editor’s Note: One of the champion industries in India with substantial export potential is the toy industry. Growing at a CAGR of 12% between 2022 and 2028, the Indian toy business is expected to reach $3 billion by 2028, making it one of the fastest-growing in the world. In Budget 2023, the import duty on toys was raised from 60% to 70%. The toy industry in India has ended decades of import dominance by becoming a net exporter of toys during 2020-21 and 2021-22.

With AI-capable chips, MediaTek is now vying with Qualcomm and Apple

With the release of its most recent lineup of flagship mobile processors that prioritize high performance and generative AI capabilities, Taiwanese chipmaker MediaTek is hoping to compete for the premium market in the upcoming years, competing against fierce US rivals Qualcomm and Apple, according to a top company official.

With 30% of the global market for mobile processors, MediaTek leads the industry thanks to a shift in the company’s mindset from one of following current trends in technology to one of leading innovation.

Cybermedia Research reports that in Q3 2023, up to 20 million phones with MediaTek processors were supplied to India, accounting for 46% of the market share. In comparison, 12 million phones with Qualcomm processors had a 27% market share in volume terms, highlighting the dominant position of the Taiwanese brand in the Indian market.

https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/devices/armed-with-ai-capable-chips-mediatek-now-looks-to-rival-apple-and-qualcomm/105887259?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=ettelecom_news_2023-12-11&dt=2023-12-11&em=cHJlbWppdGhrQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==

Acer reaffirms ‘Make in India’ commitment; to venture into AI PCs, consumer eleectronics, e-mobility

Acer has reiterated its commitment to keep supporting the Make in India campaign in light of the visit of its chairman to the nation. The 47-year-old company considers India to be one of its key markets, and it recently declared that it will be expanding its presence in the country’s IT sector by entering new areas like consumer electronics, eMobility, and AI PCs. The corporation hopes to implement additional eco-friendly technology in the upcoming years to fulfil its promise to become carbon neutral by the due time.

The Make in India initiative was introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government in September 2014 as a part of India’s increased emphasis on manufacturing. The primary objectives of this initiative are to stimulate investments in India, foster innovation, enhance skill development, and position India as a global hub for manufacturing.

https://www.gadgets360.com/laptops/news/acer-make-in-india-commitment-eco-friendly-products-ceo-jason-chen-4664673

Editor’s Note: The above two stories are to show successful cases of Taiwanese companies making progress in their own respective fields in India taking advantageous business climate of India.

Sahasra to invest Rs 350 cr to step up semiconductor packaging

Sahasra Electronics, situated in Noida, is to invest over Rs 350 crore over the course of the next three years to expand manufacturing as part of the “Make in India” initiative and establish a semiconductor packaging factory.

The new semiconductor packaging facility will be built in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, which is home to a semiconductor industry. The facility will cost more than Rs 150 crore, and the building’s interior will cost roughly Rs 50 crore because the company is investing in machinery for electronic assembly.

One of the first Indian companies to begin packaging and testing NAND flash memory in this fiscal year is Sahasra Semiconductors (SSPL), a division of the Sahasra Group. It is also the first to be eligible for a production linked incentive (PLI) scheme in 2020.

https://www.projectstoday.com/News/Sahasra-to-set-up-semiconductor-packaging-unit-with-Rs-350-cr-outlay

Editor’s Note: As mentioned in many of our earlier news updates, this news items is as part of our constant watch on the newer developments in the Semiconductor sector of India. Many foreign and Indian companies are entering into the Semiconductor sector to take the market opportunity.