Weekly News Updates: Jan. 15 – Jan. 21

Optiemus Partners with Taiwan's KunWay Technology to Manufacture Drones in India; Dixon Technologies Eyes $3 Billion Display Fab Unit, Expands into High-End IT Products; India to Address US AI Chip Export Curbs with Trump Administration Amid Long-Term Concerns; India to Introduce Simplified Direct Tax Law During Budget Session; Union Budget 2025: Industry Leaders Hope for Boost to AI and Sustainability, Opening Doors for Foreign Investment; India-Singapore Collaboration to Boost Semiconductor Ecosystem

Optiemus Partners with Taiwan’s KunWay Technology to Manufacture Drones in India

Optiemus與台灣坤暐科技(KunWay Technology)合作在印度製造無人機

Optiemus Infracom’s subsidiary, Optiemus Unmanned Systems Private Limited (OUS), has announced a partnership with Taiwan-based KunWay Technology to manufacture, localize, and sell its diverse range of drones in India. The collaboration aims to align with the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative, with a focus on catering to the defense and homeland security sectors. Ashok Gupta, Chairman of Optiemus Infracom, emphasized that this partnership highlights India’s growing technological capabilities and aims to position the country as a key player in the global drone manufacturing industry.

KunWay Technology, which already has clients in the US and Japan, sees this collaboration as an opportunity to not only tap into India’s dynamic and expanding market but also use the country as a manufacturing hub for its overseas operations. KunWay President and CEO David Chung Yi Liu expressed excitement about contributing to India’s growth and leveraging India’s manufacturing capabilities to serve international markets. This partnership underscores the appeal of India’s manufacturing ecosystem for global firms looking to expand their production and market reach.

https://money.rediff.com/news/market/optiemus-to-manufacture-kunway-drones-in-india/20888320250114

小編點評:Optiemus Infracom 旗下子公司 Optiemus Unmanned Systems 與台灣坤暐科技(KunWay Technology)建立合作夥伴關係,在印度製造並銷售無人機,以符合印度政府的「印度製造」(Make in India)計劃。此次合作將專注於國防與國土安全領域,同時也希望將印度打造成全球無人機製造中心。

Dixon Technologies Eyes $3 Billion Display Fab Unit, Expands into High-End IT Products

計劃投資 30 億美元建設顯示器晶圓廠,擴展高端 IT 產品

Dixon Technologies, a leading Indian contract electronics manufacturer, is in advanced discussions with a global technology partner to establish a $3 billion display fabrication (fab) unit in India. The initiative aims to localize display production, reduce import reliance, and enhance supply chain efficiency. A significant portion of the project’s capital expenditure will be subsidized under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 scheme, making it a critical step toward strengthening India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Atul Lall, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Dixon Technologies, revealed the company’s plans during its Q3FY25 earnings call, emphasizing the strategic importance of the display fab to India’s electronics self-reliance goals.

Additionally, Dixon is in final negotiations with a global original design manufacturer (ODM) to form a joint venture for high-end product categories like notebooks, servers, and IT equipment. For non-Indian companies, these developments signal India’s commitment to fostering a robust electronics manufacturing sector, offering new opportunities for partnerships, investments, and supply chain collaborations in one of the world’s fastest-growing tech markets.

https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/devices/dixon-in-discussions-to-set-up-3-bn-display-fab-in-india-expects-up-to-rs-1800-cr-revenue-from-phone-exports/117413441

小編點評:Dixon Technologies 正在與全球科技合作夥伴進行高階談判,計劃投資 30 億美元在印度建設顯示器晶圓廠,目標是減少進口依賴並提升供應鏈效率。該計劃將獲得印度半導體計劃 2.0(India Semiconductor Mission 2.0)的補貼支持,成為印度電子製造業發展的重要里程碑。此外,Dixon 也正在與全球原始設計製造商(ODM)洽談成立合資企業,以生產筆記型電腦、伺服器及 IT 設備。這顯示印度電子製造業的強勁發展趨勢,為外國企業提供投資與合作機會。

India to Address US AI Chip Export Curbs with Trump Administration Amid Long-Term Concerns

印度將與川普政府商討美國 AI 晶片出口限制,關注長期影響

India plans to engage with the incoming Trump administration to address US export regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) chips and technology imposed by outgoing President Joe Biden. These regulations include a country-specific cap on GPU exports, limiting India to 50,000 advanced GPUs worth approximately $1 billion unless it signs a security pact with the US. While officials remain optimistic about managing immediate AI expansion goals under the ₹10,738-crore India AI Mission, concerns loom over long-term challenges as India ramps up its AI initiatives post-2027. Discussions are also underway with industry leaders and C-DAC to explore developing indigenous GPU capabilities.

Industry experts warn that restricted access to GPUs could slow innovation, increase costs, and delay large-scale AI data center projects in India, potentially placing Indian firms at a disadvantage compared to global competitors. India’s strong bilateral ties with the US in emerging technologies could help mitigate these challenges, though trade negotiations under the Trump administration may involve concessions on tariffs or import restrictions. For non-Indian companies, the evolving regulatory environment highlights the importance of strategic partnerships and the potential for localized AI hardware development to navigate export controls and ensure sustained growth in global AI markets.

https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/world/donald-trump-inauguration/india-plans-to-share-worries-over-us-ai-chip-curbs-with-trump-administration-12914535.html

小編點評:印度計劃與即將上任的川普政府協商美國對人工智慧(AI)晶片的出口限制。現行規定對印度的 GPU 出口設有國別配額,除非簽署安全協議,否則印度最多只能獲得價值約 10 億美元的 50,000 顆高端 GPU。雖然印度 AI 使命計劃(India AI Mission)短期內仍可推動 AI 發展,但長期來看,這可能會影響印度的創新能力與 AI 基礎設施建設,導致印度企業相較於全球競爭對手處於不利地位。

India to Introduce Simplified Direct Tax Law During Budget Session

印度將於預算會期推出簡化直接稅法

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce a new direct tax law during the upcoming Budget session, aiming to replace the 63-year-old Income Tax Act, 1961. This overhaul seeks to simplify tax provisions, remove redundancies, and make the legislation more concise and user-friendly by reducing its volume by 60%. The draft, currently under review by the Law Ministry, is expected to be tabled in the latter half of the session, scheduled from 31 January to 4 April. The initiative follows Sitharaman’s commitment in her July 2024 Budget speech to resolve complexities and conflicts in the existing framework. Notably, 22 specialised sub-committees have worked on this revision, backed by public input, including 6,500 suggestions from stakeholders.

For non-Indian companies, the new tax law holds significance as it could bring greater clarity and predictability to India’s tax landscape, reducing litigation risks and ensuring smoother compliance processes. The shift is particularly relevant for global businesses operating in India, as streamlined provisions and simplified language could facilitate better understanding of tax obligations and improve ease of doing business in one of the world’s largest economies.

https://bwlegalworld.com/article/nirmala-sitharaman-to-present-new-direct-tax-law-in-upcoming-budget-session-545603

小編點評:印度財政部長 Nirmala Sitharaman 計劃在即將到來的預算會期內,提出新的直接稅法,以取代 1961 年《所得稅法》。此次改革旨在簡化稅收條款,消除冗餘內容,並使法律更精簡易懂,預計將比現行法規減少 60% 的篇幅。這項改變對於外國企業來說意義重大,因為它可能帶來更明確且可預測的稅收環境,降低訴訟風險並提升印度的經商便利度。

Union Budget 2025: Industry Leaders Hope for Boost to AI and Sustainability, Opening Doors for Foreign Investment

2025 年聯邦預算:業界期待政府支持 AI 與永續發展,開啟外國投資機會

As the Union Budget 2025 approaches, industry leaders in AI, technology, and sustainability are anticipating significant government support to drive India’s digital transformation. The focus is on fostering advancements in AI and green technologies to ensure India’s growth in the global tech landscape. Experts are particularly hopeful for incentives and infrastructure development that could enable faster adoption of AI, helping India leap ahead in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, and urban planning.

For foreign companies, the evolving policy landscape signals key opportunities for partnerships and investments in India’s rapidly growing digital and tech ecosystem. With the government’s emphasis on innovation and sustainability, foreign firms can explore collaborations that align with India’s digital ambitions, potentially benefiting from incentives and favorable regulatory frameworks designed to enhance their market presence in this promising sector.

https://government.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/union-budget-2025-industry-pins-high-hopes-on-ai-tech-sustainability-to-propel-indias-digital-future/117391589?utm_source=Mailer&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=etgovernment_news_2025-01-21&dt=2025-01-21&em=cHJlbWppdGhrQGdtYWlsLmNvbQ==

小編點評:隨著 2025 年印度聯邦預算即將公佈,人工智慧(AI)、科技及永續發展領域的企業領袖期望政府提供強勁支持,以推動印度數位轉型。此次預算可能針對 AI、醫療、農業與智慧城市規劃等領域提供政策激勵,促進科技創新與永續發展。對於外國企業而言,印度不斷變化的政策環境顯示了投資與合作的關鍵機遇,政府對創新與永續發展的關注也將帶來友善的法規框架,使企業能夠更好地拓展市場並受益於印度的數位成長。

India-Singapore Collaboration to Boost Semiconductor Ecosystem

印度與新加坡合作推動半導體生態系統發展

Singapore’s President, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, emphasized India’s growing role as a major player in the global economy, highlighting the strategic partnership between India and Singapore in advancing the semiconductor ecosystem. Both countries are focused on creating a robust supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing, addressing critical technological needs, and boosting their competitive edge in the global market.

This collaboration aims to enhance innovation and production capabilities, positioning India as a key hub in the semiconductor sector. The partnership is expected to open up new opportunities for investment, technology transfer, and industry growth, benefiting both nations in their pursuit of technological self-reliance and economic development.

https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/india-singapore-working-for-development-of-semiconductor-ecosystem-prez-shanmugaratnam/117366474

小編點評:新加坡總統尚達曼(Tharman Shanmugaratnam)強調印度在全球經濟中的重要性,並指出印度與新加坡在半導體產業上的戰略合作。兩國正積極發展半導體供應鏈,以滿足全球技術需求並提升市場競爭力。這項合作預計將推動投資、技術轉移與產業增長,幫助印度成為全球半導體製造的關鍵中心。