INDIA'S $300 BILLION ELECTRONICS GOAL RELIES ON INFRASTRUCTURE, R&D, SKILLS, AND MANUFACTURING

Imran Kagalwala, Co-Founder of UNIX India, discusses strategies and challenges in electronics manufacturing, including public-private partnerships, tariffs, and the Make in India initiative. He also highlights leveraging India's demographic dividend, achieving a 300 billion economy, and UNIX's Umbergaon facility in an interview with Nisha Shukla.

How can public-private partnerships (PPPs) be leveraged to accelerate growth in India's electronics manufacturing sector?

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can play a significant role in boosting India's electronics manufacturing sector by fostering collaboration between the government and private enterprises. The government can provide regulatory support, infrastructure, and financial incentives, while the private sector offers expertise, technology, and investment. Together, they create an innovation-friendly ecosystem that promotes growth. For example, PPPs can facilitate the development of manufacturing clusters, R&D centres, and integrated supply chain networks, improving efficiency, lowering costs, and encouraging technological advancements. These partnerships also support skills development, cultivating a skilled workforce to meet the sector’s growing demands.

What are the potential challenges or drawbacks of lowering the BCD on mobile charger components?

Lowering the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on mobile charger components can make chargers more affordable and accessible for consumers, but it may present challenges for the domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

A lower BCD could lead to an influx of cheaper imports, increasing price competition and potentially undermining local manufacturers. This imbalance may hinder the growth of indigenous industries and discourage investment in local production facilities, potentially impacting the “Make in India” initiative. Striking the right balance between providing affordable products for consumers and protecting local manufacturers is essential to addressing these challenges.