Govt. asks IT players to submit local production strategy

IT hardware industry appeals for a 9-12 month delay in the implementation of new import licensing norms to the government. The Centre has countered and asked the industry stakeholders to furnish a phased plan for boosting domestic production.

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IT hardware industry has requested the government to postpone the implementation of new import licensing regulations by 9-12 months. The Centre has urged the industry players to present a gradual domestic production enhancement strategy instead.

Local manufacturers have expressed that the Centre anticipates a substantial 80% increase in value addition by hardware companies through domestic production of computers and other devices within the coming years.

Moreover, there is an expectation for the domestic manufacturing of IT hardware to expand its scope from basic packaging and assembly activities to the fabrication of disassembled components used in these devices. In pursuit of this goal, the government has called upon IT industry participants to furnish phased plans detailing the progressive augmentation of domestic production. These efforts are taking place concurrently with ongoing dialogues between the government and private sector representatives.

On Tuesday, representatives from several global IT hardware manufacturers, including prominent names like Apple, Asus, and Dell, convened with high-ranking officials at the Ministry of Electronics and IT. The objective of the meeting was to seek a postponement of the November 1 deadline for obtaining import licenses pertaining to a range of products, including laptops, tablets, all-in-one personal computers, as well as ultra-small form factor computers and servers.

IT enterprises urged govt. to extend the import restrictions by a period of 9-12 months. This extension would allow them sufficient time to enhance domestic manufacturing capabilities and gain a better grasp of the licensing procedures.