Indian EV cell manufacturer Log9 flags output decline due to Chinese experts’ delayed visas
印度電車電池製造商Log9因中國籍工程師無法取得簽證而延後交期
Indian government’s delay in approving visa requests led Log9 Materials, the country’s first producer of lithium-ion batteries, to issue a production warning for its Bengaluru facility. The delay could affect Log9’s ability to produce because it depends on Chinese engineers to install new machines and upgrade current ones at its facilities.
Its factory’s ability to attain peak output levels would be hampered by a four-month visa issuance delay. An Indian government official claimed earlier this month that several manufacturers who depend on Chinese expertise wanted quicker approval for the visa requests of their Chinese suppliers.
The only manufacturing facility now operated by Log9, located in Bengaluru, has an established yearly capacity for the production of 250 MWh of batteries.
小編點評：許多報導顯示，印度政府延後對中國訪客發放簽證以及批准中國公司的投資和商業計劃，已對印度企業產生了影響。根據報告，一些印度和中國合作的合作案或涉及中國合作的項目已被推遲甚至取消。本報告正是此情況的一個案例。
Key highlights and big announcements made at the AGM of Reliance Industries
印度信實工業於股東大會宣布將探索研發數位和智慧科技
On Monday, August 28, 2023, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) convened its 46th Annual General Meeting. A number of significant announcements were made by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, including changes to the company’s board of directors and Jio True 5G. According to Mukesh Ambani, it is a “New Reliance,” a technologically advanced organisation with distinctive characteristics.
小編點評：信實工業未來的方向是印度科技業可以參考的一個簡明的技術趨勢清單。台灣科技公司可以從這份報告看出許多未來印度市場趨勢。
58 companies show interest in the hardware PLI 2.0
58間企業將申請PLI 2.0硬體生產補助
Alkesh Kumar Sharma, secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, announced on Monday that 58 companies have registered with the government for the Rs 17,000 crore IT hardware production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. Two businesses—including HP—out of the 58 registrants have actually submitted their applications, according to informed sources.
Applications for the scheme must be submitted by August 30. Companies who participated in the first phase of the IT hardware PLI, including Dell, ICT Service (Wistron), Lava, Dixon, Rising Stars Hi-Tech (Foxconn), Netweb Technologies, and Optiemus Electronics, among others, are anticipated to transition to the new scheme, according to officials.
小編點評：政府希望在IT硬體生產促進計劃（PLI）的框架下鼓勵本地生產IT設備，包括筆記型電腦、平板電腦、桌面電腦和伺服器。政府於五月份更新了IT硬體PLI計劃，將預算提高了兩倍以上，達到了1700億盧比。TCA已經與印度政府的MeitY舉辦了一個關於PLI計劃的線上研討會，並向台灣公司傳達了相關消息，以供參考和利用。
U.S. raises concerns over India’s intention to limit tech imports
美國對印度電子產品進口限制表示顧慮
According to a USTR statement, India and the US have agreed to find a solution to the problem that addresses the concerns of both countries, with the US having expressed reservations over India’s move to put import restrictions on specific electronic gadgets.
The problem was raised on August 26 during a meeting between Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, and Katherine Tai, the U.S. trade representative.
In 2022–2023, India imported products worth $8.8 billion, including PCs/laptops, tablets, WiFi dongles, smart card readers, and Android TV boxes. In order to increase domestic production and decrease imports from nations like China, India said earlier this month that it will impose import limits on electronic products like laptops and desktops (including tablet computers) starting from November 1.
Thomson to Start Manufacturing Laptops in India
法商Thomson將在印度製造筆電
The newest brand to enter the Indian laptop market is French electronics manufacturer, Thomson. According to a senior executive quoted in a report by ET Telecom, the OEM is working to decide on a local contract manufacturer situated in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, to begin building devices within the nation. France is one of the European nations where Thomson is now selling laptops.
Similar to what we’ve seen companies like Blaupaunkt do, the company made a comeback in India in 2018 through a strategic alliance with local SPPL. According to the ET Telecom story, Thomson will sell its laptops through Flipkart, the only online retailer it presently uses to sell televisions in India.
小編點評：目前的法規和補助政策促使製造業轉移到印度。正在關注印度市場的公司應迅速適應不斷變化的情況，制定長期策略。
Sebi mandates further disclosures from FPIs that meet certain objective criteria
印度證券暨交易管理委員會(Sebi)規定特定FPI需公告投資人資訊
In accordance with the most recent changes made to the Sebi (FPI) Regulations, the market regulator has mandated the requirements for disclosure reporting by foreign portfolio investors (FPIs).
A consultation paper on the subject was published by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on May 31 in response to observations that certain FPIs held a concentrated share of their equity portfolio in a single investee business or corporate group. Such concentrated investments raised concerns that investors or promoters of such investee companies might use such FPIs to get around regulatory requirements, like disclosures under the Substantial Acquisition of Shares and Takeovers Regulations, 2011, or maintaining Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS), in the listed company.
Some FPIs are required to provide specific information about all entities holding ownership, economic interests, or control over the FPI, up to the level of all natural persons, without regard to any threshold, in accordance with the criteria outlined in the most recent circular, dated August 24.
小編點評：根據報告，為增加印度資本市場的透明度，一些FPI（外國資產組合淨投資）需要進一步公開披露，特別是那些持有單一公司或一個集團公司大量股份的FPI。FPI投資者應密切關注這一情況。
Zepto raises $200 million with a valuation of $1.4 billion to become the first unicorn of 2023
雜貨外送平台Zepto成為印度2023年第一間成為獨角獸的新創
Zepto, an online grocery delivery startup, ended India’s 11-month unicorn drought by raising $200 million in a Series-E fundi raise, valuing the company at $1.4 billion.
StepStone Group, Zepto, a US-based private markets investment firm founded in the wake of the pandemic, spearheaded the fundraising, it was announced on Friday.
Participating in this round were longtime supporters GladeBrook Capital and Nexus Venture Partners (where StepStone is a limited partner), as well as new investors StepStone Group and Goodwater Capital, as well as individual investor Lachy Groom.
Zepto is the first unicorn, or startup valued at over $1 billion, to be minted in India this year, thus the money is very significant.
India over the moon: Chandrayaan-3 becomes 1st probe to land near lunar south pole
印度探測器月船3號 (Chandrayaan-3) 成為首個在月球南極登陸的探測器
On August 23, a significant milestone for the country was reached as the Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft touched down softly near the south pole of the moon. After the United States, the former Soviet Union, and China, India is now the fourth nation to successfully complete a lunar landing.
According to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), the historic touchdown happened at 8:33 am ET (12:33 GMT or 6:03 p.m. India Standard Time).
Soon, Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander is anticipated to release the Pragyan solar-powered rover. Before its batteries run out after sunset, the robotic team will spend one lunar day (around 14 Earth days) exploring its new home. Their objective is to gather scientific data about the moon’s composition.
https://www.space.com/india-chandrayaan-3-moon-landing-success