Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious ‘Make in India’ plan has finally found several followers. From HTC to Sony to Airbus, the project which is aimed at promoting India, has been encashed by several companies.
European major Airbus today expressed its keen interest in participating in ‘Make in India’ programme in the area of defence and space.
The interest was expressed by Bernhard Gerwert, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, when he called on Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi here today.
Gerwert told Modi that Airbus was keenly interested in becoming a partner in the ‘Make in India’ initiative, through a cluster approach with regional partners, according to a PMO statement.
The Prime Minister welcomed the interest shown by Airbus in India, it added. ncouraged by strong sales growth in India, Taiwanese handsets major HTC has decided to start making products in the country along with a local partner.
HTC has manufacturing units in Taiwan and China.
“We have seen tremendous growth in shipment and sales in India. In the first quarter alone, we have grown 150 per cent over the same period last year. We are looking at local assembly to begin with along with a local partner,” HTC President Global Sales Chang Chialin told reporters here.
Talking to PTI, he said the company will begin assembling small quantities of handsets in India.
“It will be small quantities to begin with, below 10 per cent. We will have more clarity by the third quarter of this fiscal. These will be mid-range phones,” he added.
The company does not disclose country-specific shipment details.
Japanese electronics major Sony is “seriously” looking at participating in the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative and may consider setting up a manufacturing plant in the country.
“Of course, thanks to Mr (Narendra) Modi’s strong initiatives, some how we have to cope with countries direction and strategy. We are in talks as to how we can support country’s direction. At this point of time, we do not have any specific comment. We are seriously studying as how can we reply to PM’s requirements,” Sony India Managing Director Kenichiro Hibi said when asked if the company is planning to set up a manufacturing plant in the country.
However, he declined to share any information on time frame and investment in the new unit.
PTI