From K J M Varma
Beijing

Calling for diversification of the ‘Make in India’ campaign into semiconductors and electronics, US multinational computer firm Dell has said it looks to step up investments in India specially in manufacturing of microprocessors and photo voltaic cells.

Amit Midha, Head of Asia-Pacific and Japan region for Dell said most of the USD 22 billion deals signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Shanghai are energy-related and ‘Make in India’ should diversify into semiconductors and electronics.

India has to think how to step up manufacturing of semiconductors which could attract big investments from abroad, he said, adding Dell already has manufacturing plant in Chennai and its products are being exported to Africa and other countries.

“Dell which has over 27,000 employees in India looks to invest in India more specially in supply chain for semiconductors, manufacturing of microprocessors and photo voltaic cells,” Midha, who is based in Shanghai, told PTI.

Midha said Modi’s pitch for investments during China visit was first among many steps which are required.

Most of the agreements signed are on power and energy.

“Lots of works needs to be done. One visit is not going to fix all,” he said.

The Digital India campaign can also shift to semiconductor and electronics manufacturing with special zones and incentives, he said.

Dell already involved in India where it has seven facilities and is stepping up in investments especially in R&D, Midha said adding that semiconductor expansion can create jobs just the way it did in China where over two million people were employed.

“Currently, we are in discussion with the Indian government on how they can help improve the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country.

“In unit terms, India manufactures less than one per cent of the global electronics demand, and a progressive ‘Make in India’ approach will allow large manufactures like Dell sufficient economy of scale in the short to medium term,” he said.

Dell is bullish about the opportunities available in the Indian government business space and will look to work with relevant partners to deliver solutions to state and central governments, Midha said.

“In addition to boosting the electronics manufacturing ecosystem in the country, governments are looking for a range of solutions from mobility to security, desktop to data centre, converged infrastructure to services and cloud.

“Technology as an enabler to education, healthcare, banking, retail will open up large opportunities for end to end solutions providers like Dell,” he said.

“Dell has been a major contributor to the IT sector in India. Apart from being India’s most trusted technology brand, Dell’s manufacturing facility for electronics has been shouldering the ‘Make in India’ mantle for more than 7 years.

There exists a large opportunity for the government to boost the manufacturing of personal computers in the country,” he said.

This is the good time for India to think of major expansion which could also benefit the neighbouring countries including China where the economy and manufacturing sector is slowing down, he said.

Midha said the business sentiment has improved in India in the recent months.

“Investing in progressive models of IT-based governance and administration, a combination of local innovation and international benchmarks and a citizen-friendly approach will help put India on the world map as one of the fastest growing economies,” he said.

PTI