Government to take crucial decisions in electronics industry by year end

BANGALORE, INDIA: Before the end of the year, the Government of India will take crucial decisions in the electronics industry said Sachin Pilot, Hon'ble Minister of State for Communications & IT, Government of India during the inauguration of ISA Vision Summit 2012.

ISA Vision Summit 2012, the seventh edition of the flagship annual conference of India Semiconductor Association (ISA), the apex trade body representing the Indian semiconductor and electronics industry, was inaugurated today. The theme of this year’s conference is “Growth drivers for emerging markets: Semiconductors and Electronic Systems.”Source: ISA, India.

In his inaugural speech, Pilot said: “Before the end of this year, Government will take some crucial decisions in the electronics sector. However, while it is important to have policies, investment and technology, it is also the responsibility of individual companies and state governments to partner and deliver on specific projects. There would be all possible help from central Government in manufacturing, especially the small and medium enterprises that really is the horse that would pull the wagon.” Pilot also gave an open invitation to companies to come forward and set-up manufacturing units in India. He also commended ISA for increasing the total membership to 175.

Pradeep N. Dhoot, group president of Videocon Industries, said: “Domestic demand for electronics is set to reach $100 billion by 2014 and by 2020 it would cross $400 billion. With collaboration with industry organization, government, private sector, education and research centre, India can easily cross $400 billion mark.”

R. Chandrashekhar, secretary, Dept. of IT and Dept of Telecommunications, Ministry of Communication & IT, Government of India and Guest of Honor at the Vision Summit, said: “The draft of the National Policy has essentially five key interventions – Preferential Market Access is intended to leverage the huge market opportunity in the country, the Special Incentive Package Scheme is intended to incentivize investment in this sector, the Electronic Development of Fund is to encourage research, Setting up of Electronic Manufacturing Clusters and National Electronics Mission, which is a joint government industry mission set up at the highest level which would drive set of initiatives to promote manufacturing ecosystem in the country. Government has approved the Preferential Market Access Scheme last week.”

This edition of the ISA Vision Summit was the largest Vision Summit, since its inception in 2006. ISA has added 41 new members since last year which includes greater presence of Indian companies. Out of the total of 175 members two-thirds are the semiconductor companies and remaining are the system companies. ISA Vision 2012 also introduced for the first time a B2B deal-making session, wherein an attempt is being made to connect buyers and sellers. A unique feature was the special focus on SMEs and in getting them connected with international and domestic buyers.

Global and Indian leaders from the Electronic Systems Design and Manufacturing (ESDM) industry were also present during the event. Sanjeev Keskar, Convener VS2012 and MD Sales (India & SEA), PMC-Sierra (I) Pvt Ltd gave the overview on Vision Summit. Pradeep N. Dhoot, group president of Videocon Industries, delivered a keynote address on building globally competitive electronics manufacturing out of India. Dr. Aart de Geus, chairman of the Board and CEO, Synopsys Inc., delivered a keynote address on the changing design eco-system in India.

Dr Pradip K. Dutta, chairman, ISA, said that the industry welcomed the government’s approval of the ‘Preferential Market Access’ draft. This draft policy seeks to provide fiscal incentives required by indigenous manufacturers of telecom products and R&D institutions. He also informed that 42 new companies have become new members of ISA out of which 51 percent were from India.

In his opening address, P.V.G Menon, president, ISA, said: “The Summit will provide a common platform for the industry and academia and the government to interact and understand the trends in the electronics industry.”