Nine years from now, India will spend more money on importing electronic goods than on importing oil. Despite the massive demand for cellphones, laptops and other gizmos, very few are made in India. Most come from China or Taiwan. The government wants to boost the domestic industry and create new jobs.
The Minister of State for Science and Technology, Ashwani Kumar, said while inaugurating the Electronics For You Expo 2011, that we need 50 million skilled jobs by 2020 or about 50 million new jobs every year. The electronics manufacturing industry could provide a large portion of those jobs. Indian companies want all government departments to buy electronics goods made in India. They want special economic zones for electronics manufacturers. International computer chip makers should set up assembly lines here, they say.”