- Union Minister apprised the Industry that the issue of including ICT essentials have been taken up with ministry of home affairs
- PM Narendra Modi had recently adviced state chief ministers to attract companies looking beyond China
Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Ravi Shankar Prasad, exhorted the electronics industry to explore the new opportunities that are arising out of the adversity and make the country the global hub of electronics manufacturing.
During a meeting with electronics industry associations, chambers and prominent industry players, he requested the electronics industry to take advantage of the opportunity and new schemes notified by the Ministry, attract global investment and strengthen the sector. He emphasized the role of Medical Electronics Industry that is at a point of a complete turnaround.
According to a past report jointly published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the government of India, the Indian medical devices market will grow to US$ 8.16 billion in 2020 at a CAGR of 16 per cent.
Essential goods list taken up with ministry of home affairs
Union Minister apprised the Industry that the requests regarding broadening the definition of essential goods to ICT products, retail /online sale of ICT essential goods, authorized sales and services of ICT essential goods has already been taken up with ministry of home affairs.
Under the newly notified schemes of MeitY to promote electronics manufacturing, Government of India will provide a financial support of Rs 50,000 crore for ESDM industry. Further, he mentioned that MeitY’s initiatives like Aarogya Setu, Aadhar, Digital payments etc. have played a very important role in fighting against COVID-19.
Industry representatives presented “Restart, Restore and Resurgence” model to capture the global opportunity in electronics system design and manufacturing (ESDM) sector. Majority of the participants appreciated the new trilogy of schemes of MeitY, namely, PLI, SPECS and EMC2.0; to support the electronics manufacturing sector. Industry raised various issues related to working of factories, logistics, export, supply chain disruption and demand shock due to COVID-19.
Union Minister instructed the ministry officials to extend full support to the Industry and liaison with states/ UTs for reopening of electronics manufacturing facilities.