The task force was also exploring how the local industries could get into the electronics sector
The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) is looking to develop the electronics industry in Coimbatore as the country sees the demand for Made-in-India electronics shoot up.
CII Coimbatore chairman Arjun Prakash told reporters that Tamil Nadu was looking at manufacturing electronic products worth $40 billion in the state by 2025 and Coimbatore should capture at least 30 per cent of it.
To achieve this target, the CII Coimbatore has formed an electronics task force and was working towards inviting investments in the sector. It is also looking at developing the ecosystem here for the growth of the industry.
“In the next two to three years, we want to bring in one or two players and put in an ecosystem,” he said.
Large industries abroad which are looking at availing land at low prices along with lower air connectivity as most exports were by air are also being reached out by the CII to highlight the potential of Coimbatore.
M. Ramesh, former chairman of CII Coimbatore, said the CII was talking to big players abroad to assess their requirements to invest here. If one or two major investments took off, the entire ecosystem could be developed.
The task force was also exploring how the local industries could get into the electronics sector.
J. Balamurugan, former chairman of CII Coimbatore, said that over 95 per cent of the electronics requirements were now imported by India. However, there was a severe shortage worldwide and the manufacturers were asking for at least 52 weeks for delivery. Many countries gave concessions for the electronics sector as initial viability of the industry required support. “We are reaching out to the government too,” he said.
According to S. Prashanth, vice chairman of CII Coimbatore, the district has an advantage with the presence of large number of educational institutions. Hence, it can look at designing semiconductors too.
The traditional industries here – textiles, pumps, or automobiles – will require different kinds of chips in the future as smart solutions are part of every product. The electronics industry will have market potential in the local industries.
