VOL XXV, ISSUE 01-02

15 & 30 January 2024

       13th Source India: Industry Leaders Stressed the Importance of Automation In MSMEs

The industry leaders added how China is being able to produce all sorts of components at a very high scale. Then, he highlighted why developing automation is a mandatory requirement for the progress of India’s industry. Speaking of the challenges and growth of automation in Indian MSMEs, experts opined that MSMEs face the biggest challenge in deploying automation. We do not have a proper training center and the costs are huge. Therefore, we start training workers when they join the organization. But, after 1-2 years, the workers start looking for jobs in a bigger organization. People who are trained in MSMEs, have a 360-degree view. People in inspection systems and in testing are in huge demand and these are the areas which need to be automated. So, in our SMT line, almost everything is automated, but post SMT activities also need to get automated within the timeframe of two years. If it’s delayed, we will miss the bus.

ELCINA Industry Meet with SEMI & MMI on "Setting up the Stage for SEMICON 2024", 17 January 2024, New Delhi

SEMI, the largest global Association for semiconductor eco-system and microelectronics has partnered with ELCINA & MMI, to support and Co-Organise SEMICON India 2024 which will be co-located with electronica & productronica India, organized by Messe Munchen India (MMI) from September 11-13, 2024, Greater Noida. This meeting was organized to bring all the stakeholders on one platform and collect different perspectives. Along with SEMI, ELCINA is working closely to focus on the supply chain and helping the country to become globally competitive in semiconductor manufacturing. SEMI along-with ELCINA, is looking forward to all stakeholders including industry associations to come together on this national mission and work jointly.

Mr. Sanjay Agarwal immediate past president ELCINA & MD Globe Capacitors pvt ltd , Shri Ajit Manocha, President at SEMI , Shri S. K. Marwaha, CTO ISM, MeitY Ajai Chowdhury, co-founder HCL and advisor to ISM and other industry leaders including among others, Mr. Manish Sharma, Panasonic; Dr Ashwini Agarwal, Applied Materials;  Mr Inderdeep Singh, CDIL; Ms Bhavna Sethi,  Micron Technology; Mr Varun Manwani, Sahasra Semiconductors; Mr Gagan Bansal, TDK; supported and gave their valuable inputs. Mr Ravi Ranja, IAS, MD, UP Electronics Corporation also participated in the event and made a presentation on upcoming UP Semiconductor Policy.

Customs duty on electronic transmissions will hit semiconductor design locally: Industry bodies

India’s proposal to the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) 13th ministerial conference to refrain from extending a moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions would impact the semiconductor design ecosystem in India, industry bodies told ET. The moratorium expires in February-March this year. WTO members had agreed against imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions since 1998 and the moratorium has been periodically extended at successive ministerial conferences, which is the highest decision-making body of the 164-member organisation. The industry body has submitted a representation to the Indian government to not impose customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 26 January, 2024

India's electronics exports surpass $20 billion, iPhone dominates surge

India witnessed a 22.24 per cent surge in electronics exports, surpassing the $20 billion milestone within the nine months of the financial year 2023-24 (FY24). This was spearheaded by surging smartphone shipments, especially Apple's iPhone, according to a report by The Economic Times (ET). Mobile phone exports, accounting for 52 per cent of total electronics exports, reached $10.5 billion between April and December 2023. Notably, iPhones emerged as the primary driver of exports, contributing 35 per cent of the total electronics exports and a staggering 70 per cent to the country's overall mobile exports during this period. In December 2023 alone, iPhone exports exceeded $7 billion. The data, provided by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA), as reported by ET, indicates that electronics exports experienced the fastest growth among the top 10 export categories in the current financial year, elevating the sector to the fifth position from sixth last year.

Source: By Vasudha Mukherjee, https://www.business-standard.com/, 22 January, 2024

Tamil Nadu to tap into semiconductor, electronics sectors; rolls out policy to attract investors

To account for 40% of India’s electronics exports, the Tamil Nadu government on Sunday rolled out its ‘Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy 2024’ at the Global Investors Meet (GIM). The policy seeks to attract anchor investments in semiconductor and advanced electronics manufacturing and create a skilled talent pool of over two lakh persons by 2030. It seeks to create a semiconductor design ecosystem in the State through incentives, funding and industry-academia collaboration. The policy will be valid for three years from the date of notification. M.K. Stalin, T.N. Chief Minister; Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Commerce Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles; T.R.B. Raja, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotions and Commerce; Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motors; and foreign delegates releasing the Tamil Nadu Semiconductor and Advanced Electronics Policy during GIM 2024.

Source: By SANGEETHA KANDAVEL, https://www.thehindu.com/, January 08, 2024

New BIS norms to speed up electronics, IT hardware Companies' compliance process

Electronics and IT hardware makers can save as much as 4 to 13 weeks in compliance process with the recent guidelines issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for implementing parallel testing of their products, an industry body said. The BIS on January 9 announced that the pilot project on parallel testing for select electronics goods would be institutionalised as a permanent provision, covering a total of 64 products under the Compulsory Registration Scheme (CRS). Manufacturers can opt for parallel testing voluntarily, while those preferring the traditional sequential method could continue to do so. he voluntary adoption of parallel testing not only streamlines the compliance process for manufacturers but also significantly accelerates the go-to-market strategy compared to the traditional sequential testing methodology," Suhail Zaidi, director general of industry body MAIT said.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 14, 2024

Gujarat is ready to be semiconductor hub of country: CM Bhupendra Patel at Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024

The second day of the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit witnessed a significant announcement by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel as he reaffirmed the state's commitment to becoming a hub for the semiconductor industry, which was proposed in 2022. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2003, the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit has evolved into a flagship event and is now celebrating its 10th edition. Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Patel emphasised the increasing role of technology in India, particularly in the semiconductor and electronic sectors. He highlighted the state's proactive approach to embracing advanced technologies like AI, shaping the trajectory of everyday life.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 11, 2024

Q3 Preview: Atleast 23 companies to see profits doubling YoY as earnings momentum continues

With macro factors in India improving further in the quarter ended December, domestic-oriented sectors are seen leading the earnings for yet another quarter. Led by strong topline and improved profitability, atleast 23 companies are likely to see their profits more than doubling year-on-year (YoY) in the December quarter, according to the estimates given by Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Most of these companies are part of automobile, auto ancillary, capital goods, electronic manufacturing, metals, and a few in the financial services sector. Within the Nifty 50 universe, automobile, BFSI and oil marketing companies are seen propelling the overall profit by 10% YoY in the reporting quarter, according to Motilal Oswal.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 10, 2024

Commerce min for anti-dumping duty on printed circuit boards imported from China, Hong Kong

The commerce ministry's arm DGTR has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on imports of printed circuit boards imported from China, Hong Kong for five years to protect the domestic industry from cheap inbound shipments. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) has recommended the duty after conducting an investigation on the dumped imports of these boards from these two countries. The PCBs (printed circuit boards) are assembled with electronic components like transistors, resistors, and capacitors. It is used in cars, telephones, ovens, toys, televisions, computers, and lighting solutions. It added that imposition of the duty would not affect the availability of the product to the customers.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 05, 2024

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  INDUSTRY  SCAN                                                                             

General

Govt Will Launch Semiconductor Research Centre & Digital India futureLABS Soon: MoS Chandrasekhar

Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Friday announced that the Centre will establish the India Semiconductor Research Centre and roll out the Digital India futureLABS initiative soon. The minister made the announcement during his virtual address at the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) Vision Summit in Bengaluru. “We will establish the India Semiconductor Research Centre shortly, which will serve as a hub for semiconductor innovation spanning all spectrums that will drive future systems,” Chandrasekhar said. ate last year, after the submission of a comprehensive report by the India Semiconductor R&D Committee – a panel comprising officials, industry experts, and academicians – the IT Ministry disclosed plans to establish the ‘Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre’ in 2024.

Source: By Bhaswati Guha Majumder, https://www.news18.com/, 27 January, 2024

Coal: Don’t Burn It, Compute With It

Silicon semiconductors have dominated the electronics industry for the past 70 years, as they are used to build transistors that are found in nearly all electronic devices. But, driven in part by machine learning’s enormous appetite for compute power, a demand for ever smaller transistors is expanding the range of materials that could serve as substrates for transistors and all the components of modern computer chips. Now a team of researchers have found a way to use coal to create ultrathin insulating films that could help launch a new era of semiconductors made with 2D materials. The study’s focus on coal was no accident. One of the research institutions that participated in the study is the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which set out to develop advanced, high-value alternate uses for coal, an abundant domestic natural resource that is seeing big declines in use as a fossil fuel.

Source: https://spectrum.ieee.org/, 24 January, 2024

Can Budget 2024 give a fillip to India's budding semiconductor industry?

While the geopolitics of oil and gas dominated the global power discourse so far, the modern era lays a special emphasis on those proficient in chip technology. As India looks to be the next semiconductor hub, the Narendra Modi government may look to offer sops to accelerate the process in the Interim Budget. These minuscule chips are the backbone of contemporary technology, powering everything from expensive drones and self-driving automobiles to smartphones. A few nations currently control the majority of the world's semiconductor market, namely Taiwan, China, the United States, South Korea, and Japan.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 25 January, 2024

Two-thirds of Cars Sold in Q3 2023 Featured Embedded Connectivity

Global connected car sales* grew 28% YoY in Q3 2023, according to the latest research from Counterpoint’s Global Connected Car Sales Tracker. Every 2 out of 3 cars sold in Q3 2023 had embedded connectivity in them. China led with around 33% share in global connected car sales, followed by the US and Europe. These top three regions constituted more than 75% of the global connected car sales in Q3. With the increasing adoption of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, the connectivity penetration in a car is increasing. 4G still dominates this space with more than 95% sales share, while 5G adoption is slower than the industry’s projections earlier. The lack of robust 5G infrastructure along the highways, non-availability of unique 5G use cases within the car, and supply chain issues are some of the reasons for slower adoption of 5G in passenger cars.

Source: Counterpoint PR

How Qualcomm Plans To Help Develop India’s Semiconductor Ecosystem, Explains President Savi Soin

The US based global semiconductor fabless company Qualcomm has now proclaimed that its key priorities in 2024 is to assist the small and medium firms to set-up semiconductor facilities in India. Moreover, the company is highly expected to increase its investment in the country by two-folds in terms of research, design, and development in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Noida, and Chennai. In an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, Savi Soin, president of Qualcomm India said that as per their understanding and scale, they will definitely help India to uplift the semiconductor ecosystem like they have done in other countries with other firms. A year back, the company also added that they are closely working with Tata Group and the Government of India to boost domestic packaging of its all-new PC chip.

Source: https://circuitdigest.com/, 17 January, 2024

First made-in-India semicon chip by the end of 2024, claims Ashwini Vaishnav

During the ongoing Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, Ashwini Vaishnav, Union Minister for Railway, Communication & Electronics, and IT announced that the Micron’s semiconductor manufacturing plant at Sanand GIDC in Gujarat will give India’s first domestically manufactured semiconductor chip by the end of this year. Vaishnav said, “Semiconductor is a foundational industry like steel industry that comes along with many other connecting industries. The unprecedented fast speed of setting up of Micron’s manufacturing unit has increased the confidence of the world in the Indian growth story. As a result, one of the largest substrate manufacturing companies in the world, Simmtech has signed a MoU with the government of Gujarat. According to this MoU, complementing Microne’s manufacturing unit, Simmtech will be establishing a substrate manufacturing facility at Sanand GIDC.”

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/, January 12, 2024

Gujarat poised to lead India's semiconductor revolution as tech titans commit billions

Boosting India's semiconductor industry, global players Micron, Tata Group, and Simmtech have revealed plans to establish a strong presence in Gujarat. This announcement was made during the 10th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit, where key industry leaders outlined their contributions to the semiconductor landscape. Micron, a leading US chipmaker, inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the New Age Makers Institute of Technology (NAMTECH) to foster talent for its forthcoming semiconductor operations in India. The company is set to kick off operations at its Indian plant in the first half of 2025, following the initiation of construction in September 2023. Micron has committed a total investment of $2.75 billion for the project, with $825 million from the company and the remaining support from both central and state governments.

Source: https://ddnews.gov.in/, January 15, 2024

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Information Technology

How US Is Preventing China from Using Its Technology For Artificial Intelligence

The Biden administration is proposing requiring US cloud companies to determine whether foreign entities are accessing US data centers to train AI models, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Friday. The Biden administration is taking a series of measures to prevent China from using US technology for artificial intelligence, as the burgeoning sector raises security concerns. The proposed "know your customer" regulation was released on Friday for public inspection and will be published on Monday. The United States is "trying as hard as we can to deny China the compute power that they want to train their own (AI) models, but what good is that if they go around that to use our cloud to train their models?

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/, 27 January, 2024

Salesforce to lay off 700 employees in latest tech industry downsizing

Salesforce is laying off about 700 employees, or roughly 1% of its global workforce, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday, in the latest round of job cuts to hit the tech industry. However, the report added that Salesforce still has 1,000 jobs open across the company, implying that the move could be more of a routine adjusting of the company’s workforce, the report said, citing a source. The job cuts follow a wave of U.S. tech layoffs after the industry hired heavily during the pandemic, including among behemoths such as Amazon and Google. Earlier this week, eBay announced it would cut about 1,000 roles, or an estimated 9% of its current workforce, while Microsoft said it would let go of 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/, 27 January, 2024

Indian publishers seek rules for copyright protection against generative AI models

Indian news publishers are seeking changes to the Information Technology Rules to ensure fair compensation for use of their content in the process of training generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in the country amid increasing AI copyright disputes across the world. Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) has sent a letter and made representations to the ministries of electronics and information technology and information and broadcasting, seeking protection from likely copyright violations by AI models. This comes even as the New York Times and some Pulitzer-winning authors in the US have sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and Microsoft for copyright infringement for training AI on their proprietary works.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 26 January, 2024

IIT-Jodhpur develops technology to reduce traffic congestion and road accidents

IIT-Jodhpur, one of India's premier technical institutes, has developed a cutting-edge technology aimed at reducing traffic congestion and road accidents. The technology, called the Novel MAC-based Authentication Scheme (NoMAS), has been developed by the institute's computer science and engineering department. NoMAS aims to enhance vehicle security and intelligence while addressing the multifaceted challenges prevalent on Indian roads It enables the secure and real-time exchange of data on road conditions, accidents, and traffic jams among vehicles. This information can help drivers make informed decisions and avoid hazards, ultimately contributing to road safety. The data collected and shared through the Internet of Vehicles network can be analysed to identify accident-prone areas, patterns of risky behavior, and road conditions that require improvement.

Source: https://www.theweek.in/, 27 January, 2024

Cabinet apprised of pact between India, Oman for co-operation in IT

The Union Cabinet was apprised of a pact inked between India and Oman for cooperation in the field of IT, an official release said on Wednesday. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) intends to promote cooperation between the two sides through mutual support, sharing of technologies, information and investments in the field of information technology. The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was apprised of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed on December 15, 2023, between the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India and the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman on cooperation in the field of Information Technology. Both G2G (government to government) and B2B (business to business) bilateral cooperation in the field of Information Technology will be enhanced. The MoU envisages improved collaboration leading to employment opportunities in the field of IT.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, 24 January, 2024

Avalon Technologies inks pact with C-DAC to make high-performance computers

 Avalon Technologies Ltd has entered into an agreement with C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology for indigenous manufacturing of high-performance computing systems, the company said on Saturday. As per the partnership, Avalon would be able to extend its support for the next generation of server development and manufacturing at C-DAC under the 'RUDRA' program. Avalon has been working with C-DAC as a strategic design and manufacturing partner since 2021 delivering Prototype PCB assemblies, and cables. This experience will now ensure Avalon Technologies' smooth transition into the production of high-performance computing servers as well, a company statement here said.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, January 13, 2024

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Consumer Electronics

Budget 2024: The fast charging for consumer durables’ journey from Make in India to Innovate in India

The Indian market is undergoing a notable change in the consumer durables industry. The amalgamation of a burgeoning middle class in urban areas and the aspirational demand emanating from rural India, coupled with government reforms such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST), has set the stage for the electronics and appliances industry to envision a phase of exponential growth. As we step into 2024, consumers increasingly seek products that blend cutting-edge technology with an ultra-modern aesthetic. The era of connected living is upon us, fueled by the advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the consumer durables segment. The scope of possibilities in this landscape is vast, given the sheer size of the domestic electronics market.

Source: Lalit Arora, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 25 January, 2024

With AI, smartphone will become even smarter: JB Park, president and CEO, Samsung Southwest Asia

Samsung’s plateauing mobile phone exports are tied to soft demand in global markets amid geopolitical uncertainties but the second half of 2024 can see a revival as the issues settle, said JB Park, president and CEO, Southwest Asia at Samsung. Park, though, added that exporting other consumer electronics products such as TVs is more challenging. India is the most strategic market for Samsung. Smartphone or consumer electronics penetration is still not 100%. So, we think that is going to be the number one priority—how do we reach out to consumers who still do not have a refrigerator or TV or washing machine. The mobile phone is almost penetrated at 85%.

Source: By Subhrojit Mallick, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 19 January, 2024

Global Semiconductor Revenues Decline 8.8% in 2023; AI Promises Gains in 2024

The global semiconductor industry’s revenue declined 8.8% in 2023 due to a slowdown in enterprise and consumer spending. Besides, the overall 2023 semiconductor revenue rankings saw some big changes from 2022, like Intel reclaiming the top spot from Samsung as the latter suffered a lot from the memory sector downtrend as well as lackluster smartphone business. AI provided positive news to the semiconductor industry, emerging as a key content and revenue driver, especially in the second half of the year. NVIDIA appeared to be the largest beneficiary, followed by AMD. Both will be growing their AI-related businesses in the coming years. Researchers believe 2023 was a year for semiconductor companies to fine-tune their strategies/outlook and manage inventory adjustments to prepare for the impending AI boom. According to Counterpoint’s semiconductor revenue tracker, only 6 out of the top 20 global semiconductor vendors reported YoY revenue growth.

Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/, 26 January, 2024

Global PC Shipments Show Early Signs of Recovery in Q4 2023; AI PC to be Major Driver in 2024

The global PC market ended Q4 2023 with a 0.2% YoY shipment decline, according to the latest Counterpoint Research data. This was the eighth consecutive quarter of a YoY shipment decline. The year-end holiday season failed to trigger a meaningful shipment recovery. Both OEMs and ODMs expect that shipment momentum will come back in H1 2024. For the full year of 2023, the global PC market saw a 14% YoY shipment decline due to a slowdown in commercial and consumer sectors both. Besides, there were several product launches in the second half of 2023, most of which will start shipping in 2024. This affected the shipment momentum in 2023. On the other hand, PC inventory level normalized to a healthy level, paving the way for upcoming new products.

Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/, 19 January, 2024

Panasonic eyes double-digit growth in India this fiscal, plans to make country export hub

Panasonic expects a "double-digit" growth in the Indian market this fiscal while the company prepares to tap the long-term potential of the country by bringing high-tech products, besides making it an export hub. India is among three important regions for firm headquartered in Osaka, Japan, and it is in the process of building and bringing many more products and high-tech solutions which did not exist in the past in this country, said Chairman of Panasonic Life Solutions India and South Asia Manish Sharma. Panasonic Corporation is "heavily committed" to the Indian market as its "long-term potential is very high" because of a lower penetration of products in the country, providing enough space to grow, he said.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 13, 2024

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Telecom

5G rollout: India demonstrates effectiveness of simplifying telecom operations

In the rapidly evolving landscape of global connectivity, telecom companies stand at the forefront of a transformative era. The Telecom industry is not just an enabler of seamless connectivity; it's the architect of a tech-driven, sustainable, and smart future. This pivotal role demands a strategic approach centered on three interlinked imperatives: Simplify, Modernize, Monetize. This theme resonates throughout the industry's journey towards a greener, more efficient, and economically robust future. The concept of 'Green Telecom' illustrates this tri-fold strategy perfectly. It's a movement that simplifies telecom operations by focusing on sustainability, which in turn demands modernization of infrastructure and practices.

Source: https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/, 25 January, 2024

India must improve air logistics for electronics and telecom manufacturing, says Ajai Chowdhry

India aims to emerge as an electronics and semiconductor manufacturing nation but the country needs to work and fix its inward and outward logistics says Ajai Chowdhry, Founder of Electronics Products Innovation Consortium and Co-Founder, HCL. While the Government of India’s Gati Shakti – the national master plan for multimodal connectivity - can be helpful, there is a lot more desired. Sharing Taiwan and Vietnam’s example, Chowdhry explained: “The components arrive in the morning, afternoon they are put into a product, and the very next morning they are shipped out. When Dell used to talk about many years ago, just in-time manufacturing, that's what it was all about. They had all their warehouses next to them. And what they would tell each of these warehouses the ship me the component that I need today. So that I can make the PC today and ship it out tomorrow morning. Electronics needs that kind of pace, which is totally different from any other industry.”

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/, 26 January, 2024

India’s DoT slashes spectrum auction target

As widely predicted, the impending Indian spectrum auction, probably taking place in March, is not going to generate a lot of revenue for the country’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT), something the DoT itself has now admitted. The DoT has in fact lowered the spectrum auction revenue target for financial year 2024 from earlier estimates of Rs5,000 crore (about US$601 million) to about a tenth of that amount. Spectrum worth a staggering US$11.7 billion or more will be up for sale. including most unsold spectrum from the last auction, except for the 600MHz band. As we mentioned earlier this month, this will be the subject of studies to ensure there is no interference with satellite operations.

Source: https://developingtelecoms.com/, 25 January, 2024

Telecom Act will hold good for ‘many, many years’: IT Minister Vaishnaw

The Telecommunications Act, 2023, passed by Parliament, “is a set of real structural reforms which will hold us good for many, many years,” Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told The Hindu in an interview. “We are moving away from a licence permit regime to a very calculated authorisation for a long period,” he said. “We have a four-tier structure for dispute resolution as well as a way for telecom companies to self-report violations,” he said. The thought process that there should be accountability of what is published on social media is taking shape globally; he says provisions which allow government to take over networks are imperative in today’s world; and India will have to triple the amount of digital connectivity especially when introducing new technologies such as 6G.

Source: By AROON DEEP, https://www.thehindu.com/, 24 January, 2024

Indian operators may be fined for 5G rollout delays

While Indian operator Reliance Jio claims to have completed its national 5G rollout, and rival Bharti Airtel hopes to complete it by March, Vodafone Idea and new market entrant Adani Data Networks may be facing fines for not meeting the minimum 5G rollout obligations that have been set. Apparently India’s Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has sent what are referred to as ‘show cause’ notices to the two companies preparatory to fining them if they cannot satisfactorily explain why their 5G rollouts have been delayed. India’s Economic Times news service cites sources that suggest that Vodafone Idea may be faced with the equivalent of US$1.7 million in fines, and Adani Data Networks may have to pay somewhere between U$601,000 and US$722,000.

Source: https://developingtelecoms.com/, 24 January, 2024

BSNL to Complete Significant 4G Deployment by Diwali 2024: Vaishnaw

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has started its 4G deployment and will have completed a significant part of the rollout by Diwali 2024, said telecom minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. According to a report from the Indian Express, Vaishnaw said that BSNL is being revived in a "very systematic and methodical way". The technology stack that BSNL is using for 4G will be upgradable to 5G as well. Vaishaw believes that telecom in India is a sunrise sector and remarked on the new technology and investments that are coming. He also talked about the telecom operators investing about Rs 2 lakh crore for rolling out 5G in the country.

Source: By YASHIKA GOEL, https://telecomtalk.info/, January 15, 2024

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EV’s & Auto Electronics

Tesla warns of 'notably lower' sales growth in 2024

Tesla is forecasting a sharp sales slowdown this year, becoming the latest car company to warn of sagging demand. Elon Musk's electric vehicle (EV) maker said growth would be "notably lower" than in 2023, when deliveries rose 38%. The company's shares fell by almost 6% in extended trade in New York after the announcement. Mr Musk also warned that Chinese rivals "will pretty much demolish most other car companies in the world" unless trade barriers are put in place. The moves helped the firm sell a record 1.8 million cars in 2023, up nearly 40% from 2022. But revenue grew at about half that pace, slowing precipitously at the end of the year.

Source: https://www.bbc.com/, 25 October, 2024

Apple is working on its own electric vehicle, release date tipped

Apple's long-anticipated electric vehicle project, codenamed Project Titan, is back in the spotlight with a new release date set for 2028. The project, which commenced in 2015, has faced numerous setbacks and executive turnover, with the company initially aiming for a fully autonomous vehicle without a steering wheel. However, recent reports from Bloomberg suggest a shift in strategy towards a more realistic approach. Kevin Lynch, Apple's Vice President, has been leading Project Titan since 2021, and under his guidance, the company has adjusted its vision for the electric vehicle. The ambitious plan for a completely autonomous car without driver intervention has been scaled back, with the 2028 Apple car expected to offer limited autonomy features similar to those found in other electric vehicles, notably Tesla.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/, 24 January, 2024

Odisha clears incentive package for JSW Group’s electric vehicle, battery plants

The Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha cabinet on Monday approved a special incentive package for the Sajjan Jindal-led conglomerate JSW Group’s electric vehicle and component manufacturing projects in Naraj, Cuttack and Paradip, saying they involve a combined investment of ₹40,000 crore, hold the potential to create 11,000 jobs and “usher in a new era of industrial growth and job creation in the state”. The JSW Group’s proposed electric vehicles and battery manufacturing project at Naraj will be the world’s largest single-location project in the sector, the chief minister’s office said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Odisha’s public enterprises minister Ashok Chandra Panda told reporters that the battery project will have a capacity of 50-gigawatt hour (GWh).

Source: By Debabrata Mohanty, https://www.hindustantimes.com/, 22 January, 2024

Toyota Chairman Predicts Battery Electric Cars Will Only Reach 30% Share

Toyota Motor Corp. Chairman Akio Toyoda believes battery electric vehicles will reach at most 30% market share, with the rest taken up by hybrids, hydrogen fuel cell and fuel-burning cars. With a billion people in the world living without electricity, limiting their choices and ability to travel by making expensive cars isn’t the answer, the grandson of the company’s founder said during a business event this month, according to remarks published on the company’s media platform Tuesday. “Customers — not regulations. Carmaker is betting on multiple technologies to reduce carbon. Akio Toyoda has rebuffed criticism of being late to EV shift.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/, 23 January, 2024

Why Brick-And-Mortar Retail Stores Are Vital For Electric Vehicle Industry In India

The electric vehicle (EV) industry is experiencing unprecedented growth, fuelled by a surge in demand driven by environmental concerns and technological advancements. Despite the increasing popularity of online platforms for various purchases, brick-and-mortar retail stores prove indispensable for the growth and sustainability of the electric vehicle market. Brick-and-mortar stores play a multifaceted role, serving as crucial educational hubs for potential EV buyers. Unlike online platforms, these physical stores provide a unique opportunity for customers to interact with EV experts, asking questions and gaining insights into the technology. This personal touch is invaluable, addressing concerns, dispelling myths, and fostering a positive customer experience, ultimately empowering potential buyers to make informed decisions.

Source: By Manideep Katepalli, https://news.abplive.com/, 23 January, 2024

Made in India electric vehicles ready to hit global markets

At a time when global electric vehicle major Tesla is set to announce its big-bang entry into the Indian market this month, the world’s third largest passenger vehicle market is set to take a big leap into electric vehicle exports, with the Make in India tag well proven over the last couple of decades. While Tesla aims to use the manufacturing base predominantly to serve the international markets, Autocar Professional learns that about 12-18 models are under development across major car manufacturers to not only cater to the growing domestic market but also use India as a base to ship vehicles to different parts of the world. There are all kinds of models, from hatchback, sedan, SUVs and MPVs with an electric powertrain are under works — clearly indicating the transition is gathering pace. This diversification indicates a broadening product portfolio to cater to different consumer preferences and market segments across global markets.

Source: By Ketan Thakkar, https://www.autocarpro.in/, January 13, 2024

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Defence & Solar

PM Modi doesn't want cost overruns and delays in defence projects

On the eve of the 75th Republic Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has exhorted the armed forces, the military-civilian bureaucracy, and the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to get their act together, erase cost overruns and project delays, and focus on making “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) a success in terms of defence manufacturing. HT learns that Modi held a high-level review meeting with top officials on January 13 and told them to ensure total accountability in Indian defence planning. Although the details of the meeting are classified, it is understood that Modi asked those present to look at the long-term future of defence manufacturing, not merely the present, and conduct an audit of the platforms already with the armed forces before asking for more.

Source: By Shishir Gupta, https://www.hindustantimes.com/, 24 January, 2024

India-France defence ties take a bigger leap

India and France have announced a “defence industrial roadmap” for cooperation on defence production, for future collaboration on “co-design and co-development” of military hardware, as well as key agreements on space cooperation, officials said. The roadmap was part of a number of agreements between the two countries that were sealed during talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in Jaipur on January 25, that will also bring some parity with the India-U.S. defence production plan finalised last year. However, differences over some of the language on the roadmap held up a “joint statement” between them for several hours on January 26 before it was released.Mr. Macron was in Delhi as part of a short 30-hour visit to India, and was accompanied by a delegation of 40 officials, including his new Minister for Foreign Affairs Stéphane Séjourné, and Ministers of Defence and Culture.

Source: By SUHASINI HAIDAR,DINAKAR PERI, https://www.thehindu.com/, 26 January, 2024

Republic Day 2024: India shows off its top defence tech as Swathi radar, Sarvatra, Prachand, Nag march through Kartavya Path

The Republic Day parade in India this year highlighted the nation's prowess in indigenous defense technologies, with a focus on the "Swathi" weapon locating radar system, "Sarvatra" mobile bridging system, drone jammer system, and advanced radio frequency monitoring system. Developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Ltd., these cutting-edge systems were featured prominently during the parade, showcasing India's commitment to technological advancements in defense. The indigenously developed "Swathi" weapon locating radar system took center stage at the Republic Day parade. A joint effort by DRDO and Bharat Electronics Ltd., this advanced radar system exemplifies India's capability in developing state-of-the-art defense technologies. The system is designed to accurately locate enemy weaponry, enhancing the nation's strategic defense capabilities.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, January 26, 2024

Jet engine deal with france will give 100% access to technology, says indian envoy

Collaborating with France on manufacturing an engine for India’s fifth-generation fighter jet and working on its design and development is the subject of ongoing discussions between the two countries, Indian envoy to France Jawed Ashraf has said. The new engine is meant to power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), which is being developed. Discussions are in progress between Safran and the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s Aeronautical Development Agency and Gas Turbine Research Establishment on arriving at a set of specifications that complies with the country’s future fighter jet requirements, the envoy said at a press conference. The subject always features in conversations between French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he added. The decision to jointly develop the aero engine was announced during Mr. Modi’s visit to France in July 2023.

Source: https://www.indiandefensenews.in/, 27 January, 2024

Govt may place order for 307 atags howitzers for army before march 31

In March this year, the Ministry of Defence received a proposal from the Indian Army to buy 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) for deployment along the borders with China and Pakistan. The Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) is likely to place an order for 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) before the end of the current financial year, the research wing's chairman Dr Samir V Kamat has informed ANI. Mentioning that ATAGS has already completed all the trials, the chairman said according to his estimates, the order should be placed in this financial year. DRDO developed 155 mm x 52 mm calibre howitzer gun with two private partners Tata Advanced Systems Ltd and Bharat Forge Ltd.

Source: https://www.indiandefensenews.in/, 27 January, 2024

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EMSIF

(Special section of the MSME related news under ELCINA Micro & Small Industry Forum)

Budget 2024 expectations: MSMEs sector hopes for enhanced availability of credit, increased funding channels

Considered as the backbone of the Indian economy, the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector consists of 29.15% of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) till 2021-22. For the sector to unleash its fullest potential and increase its contribution to the Indian economy greater availability of institutional credit is the need of the hour. In the upcoming interim budget Industry experts are hoping for incentivised lending rates, credit guarantee schemes, and increased funding channels to enhance financial resilience for the MSME sector. Signifying affordable credit as the cornerstone for MSME, experts advocated for the need for incentivisation of lending rates, credit guarantee schemes, and increased funding channels to enhance financial resilience.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/, 27 January, 2024

Maharashtra govt announces inaugural MSME Defence Expo in Pune from Feb 17-19

Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stated that the Maharashtra government will hold a big MSME Defence Expo in Pune from February 17 to 19. The event, inspired by the tri-services pioneer Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, takes place for the first time in state history, per ANI report. According to the report, Fadnavis used social media to show his satisfaction with the Republic Day announcement. He encouraged us to celebrate Maharashtra's rich tradition and growth together. According to the report, earlier on Republic Day, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde raised the national flag at the Varsha Bungalow in Mumbai. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed greetings on the 75th Republic Day, while President Droupadi Murmu led the nation in celebrating the Amrit Kaal trip, which followed the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' to commemorate 75 years of freedom.

Source: https://www.mid-day.com/, 27 January 2024

MSME minister interacts withPM Vishwakarma beneficiaries.

Union Minister forMicro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME), Narayan Rane interacted with the beneficiaries of PM Vishwakarma Scheme here today. These beneficiaries have been invited by the Ministry of Defenceas “Special Guests” to witness the Republic Day Parade, 2024 at Kartavya Path, New Delhi. Speaking at the occasion, Narayan Rane said it is heartening to welcome the PM Vishwakarma beneficiaries. He emphasized that the scheme has been introduced for hand holding and supporting the traditional artisans and crafts people of the villages as per the vision of the Prime Minister. It will help them in improving their crafts and skills and transform as an entrepreneur and establish their enterprise, he said.

Source: http://www.smetimes.in/, 25 October 2024

Ministry of MSME organizes Series of Entrepreneurship Awareness Progs

In a significant effort to uplift the artisan community in aspirational districts, the Ministry of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME), through Br MSME DFO Srinagar in collaboration with the Handicrafts and Handlooms department, organized a series of Entrepreneurship Awareness Programs (EAP) covering locations such as Pattan Baramulla, Handwara, and Kupwara. A total of 200 artisans actively participated in these programs, demonstrating the keen interest and enthusiasm within the artisan community. Program at Town hall Kupwara witnessed a significant boost with the presence of the Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, Ayushi Sudan who graced the occasion as the chief guest. She shared inspiring words with the women artisans, urging them to step forward and take advantage of government initiatives like the Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), TEJASWINI, and other relevant schemes.

Source: https://brighterkashmir.com/, October 25, 2024

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ELCINA EVENTS , ACTIVITIES & SERVICES 

ELCINA Publications

https://elcina.com/roadmap-for-developing-pcb-eco-system-in-india	Roadmap For Developing PCB Eco-System in India Key Findings Indian PCB market and industry size in terms of domestic production, exports, and imports Growth drivers and challenges (needs & gaps) in the Indian PCB industry Growth potential of PCB manufacturing in India and identify enablers for creating & strengthening the domestic value chain Key inputs required viz. investments, technology, and infra eco-system Details of key PCB value chain players – global and domestic, who can be invited to invest to establish a strong PCB industry
https://elcina.com/ems-task-force-report-on-market-industry-analysis-of-ems-sector-in-india	EMS Task Force Report Key Findings Currently EMS Industry (Contract Manufacturing Services) are valued 832 Bn $ and are projected to grow 1055 Bn by 2025. Domestic electronics manufacturing is estimated at USD 75 Bn of which 39 Bn constitutes EMS value. This is divided into 23.5 Bn domestic Mfg. and USD 15.5 Bn PCBS/Sub-Assembly imports. Further USD 53.5 Bn is finished Electronic Goods imports of which USD 17 Bn is EMS value. Thus total EMS opportunity loss is US$ 32.5 Bn (15.5 +17). The report estimates that EMS production can grow realistically from USD 23.5 Bn today to USD 152 Bn by 2025 at CAGR of 45%. This will meet 75% of the countries EMS requirement of US$ 203 Bn by 2025 against a total estimated market of 400 Bn.
https://elcina.com/elcina-task-force-report-on-electronic-components	ELCINA Task Force Report on Electronic Components Key Findings Current status of component manufacturing in India – Areas of competence vs Gaps and inadequacies Components which urgently require investments and growth in domestic manufacturing Emerging technology and new components for upcoming opportunities Constraints and bottlenecks to be addressed Overcoming Policy constraints, WTO (ITA-1) deadlock and Zero Duty issue Strategy for overcoming these constraints Eco-System requirements- Role of Central and State Governments
https://elcina.com/elcina-directory-of-indian-electronics-industry	ELCINA Directory of Indian Electronics Industry 2022-23 Description ELCINA Directory of Indian Electronics Industry – includes the updates on Indian Electronics Industry and a host of additional improved features covering business environment, statistical industry scan, company databases plus various projections. This handy compendium with its easy-to-read format attracts the attention of a growing number of users (within India and abroad) Apart from electronics industry, the users of this Directory range from financial institutions, commercial banks, FIIs, Consultancy organizations as well as industry promotion institutes across the world….

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