VOL XXV, ISSUE 05

15 March 2024

PM Modi to address 'India's Techade', lay foundation stone of 3 semiconductor projects

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in 'India's Techade: Chips for Viksit Bharat' and lay the foundation stone of three semiconductor projects worth about Rs 1.25 lakh crore on Wednesday via video-conferencing. He will also address youth across the country on the occasion, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. It said that in line with his vision to position India as a global hub for semiconductor design, manufacturing and technology development, and boosting employment opportunities for the youth, Modi will lay the foundation stone for semiconductor projects in the Dholera Special Investment Region and Sanand in Gujarat and in Morigaon in Assam.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 12, 2024

'Mobile exports to grow to $50-60 bn, electronics sector to employ 2.5 mn'

Mobile phone exports from India will grow more than five-fold to $ 50-60 billion in the coming time from about $ 11 billion last year, Union IT and Communications Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said. Speaking at a fintech event on Wednesday, the minister said employment in the electronics manufacturing sector will increase from about 10 lakh at present to 25 lakh in the coming days. He said that 10 years ago India imported 98 per cent of mobile phones and at present 99 per cent of the devices are made in India. A report published by Jefferies Equity Research last month said that India would become the third-largest economy by 2027 and expected to achieve a market capitalization of $ 10 trillion by 2030.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, March 07, 2024

Will try to roll out first semiconductor products even before deadline: Tata Sons Chairman

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran on Wednesday said the semiconductor units that it is setting up in Dholera in Gujarat and Morigaon in Assam would possibly roll out the first products ahead of their deadlines. As of now, the deadline set for the Gujarat unit is set for December 2026 and for Assam early 2026. Typically, a fab take four years, our goal is to produce the chip in the calendar year 2026, hopefully in the later part of the year, but if we do it in early calendar year. So, we have got a very aggressive timeline, we�ve got a partner who is very willing, and we�ve assembled the team, so we are looking forward to going �live� in 2026. And, in Assam, it will be done earlier...we may go commercial production in Assam even in late 2025 or early 2026.

Source: https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/, March 13, 2024

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   POLICY SCAN                                                                                    

Notification Dated 6th March 2024: Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017 - Video Surveillance System - Preference for Locally Manufactured Video Surveillance Systems

The Government aims to boost domestic manufacturing and employment through the Public Procurement (Preference to Make in India) Order 2017. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) now mandates preference for locally made Video Surveillance Systems in all procurement activities.

Key Points:

1. Preference to be given to locally manufactured Video Surveillance Systems under the PPP-MII Order 2017.

2. Definitions of suppliers and calculation of local content as per DPIIT guidelines.

3. Specific products covered: Video Surveillance Systems including CCTV cameras and Digital Video Recorders.

4. Applications include surveillance of cities, schools, banks, government offices, public places, traffic monitoring, and home security.

5. Mechanism outlined for calculating local content of CCTV Cameras (Analog).

This notification underscores the government's dedication to advancing local manufacturing within the electronics sector, thereby fostering economic growth, and reinforcing self-reliance.

Notification No. 03/2024-Customs (ADD) G.S.R. 197(E) dated 14th March 2024:  Imposition of Anti-Dumping Duty on Printed Circuit Boards

Addressing concerns of unfair trade practices, the Central Government has announced the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Printed Circuit Boards (PCB) imports from China PR and Hong Kong. This decision, highlighted in Notification No. 03/2024-Customs (ADD) G.S.R. 197(E), follows investigations revealing that these imports were sold below normal market values, significantly impacting on the domestic PCB industry. ADD has been imposed on imported PCB�s of upto 6 Layers. Further the duty is not applicable to all supplier companies. Details are in the Notification.

Conducted by the designated authority, investigations confirmed PCB imports from China PR and Hong Kong were sold below fair market rates, causing tangible harm to the domestic sector. Under the authority vested by sections 9A(1) and 9A(5) of the Customs Tariff Act, the Central Government authorized anti-dumping duties on specified PCB imports.

These duties, calculated as a percentage of the CIF value of imported PCB goods, aim to counter the adverse impact of PCB dumping and protect domestic industry interests. This decision underscores the government's commitment to fair trade practices and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders in the PCB market.

DGFT Notification No. 70/2023 dated March 08, 2024: extending the RoDTEP support for exports made by Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export Oriented Units (EOU), Special Economic Zones (SEZ) units.

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), through Notification No. 70/2023 dated March 08, 2024, has extended RoDTEP support to exports by Advance Authorisation (AA) holders, Export Oriented Units (EOU), and Special Economic Zones (SEZ) units.

 The amendments in the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 include:

a.  Removal of certain ineligible supplies/items/categories from the RoDTEP Scheme effective March 11, 2024.

b.  Addition of a new Para 4.59A specifying RoDTEP export items, rates, and per unit value caps for products manufactured by AA holders, EOU, and SEZ units.

c. Implementation period for exports under Appendix 4RE for AA holders and EOUs from March 11, 2024, till September 30, 2024, and for SEZ units upon IT integration with Customs Automated System (ICEGATE), expected from April 01, 2024, till September 30, 2024.

The notification aims to:

i. Extend RoDTEP to AA holders and EOUs till September 30, 2024, as per Appendix 4RE. ii. Extend RoDTEP to SEZ units upon IT integration with ICEGATE.

The new Appendix 4RE and revised rates are available on the DGFT portal under 'Regulations > RoDTEP'.

DGFT Notification No 69/2023 dated March 7, 2024: Exemption of Advance Authorisation and EOU Imports from Quality Control Orders

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has issued Notification No. 69/2023 dated March 7, 2024, introducing provisions to exempt inputs imported by holders of Advance Authorisation and Export Oriented Units (EOUs) from mandatory Quality Control Orders (QCOs). This notification aims to streamline import procedures for these entities and facilitate export-oriented manufacturing activities. Key highlights of the notification include:

• New Para 4.18A: This para outlines conditions for importing inputs under Advance Authorisation without compliance with mandatory QCOs. It includes provisions for pre-import conditions, specific endorsement of exemption on the authorisation, restrictions on transferring unutilised imports to Domestic Tariff Area (DTA), and the process for regularizing unutilized imports.

• Amendments to Existing Paras: The notification introduces sub-paras to existing paras such as 4.24 and 6.07 of FTP 2023, specifying that import of inputs without compliance to mandatory QCOs under the Duty-Free Import Authorization (DFIA) scheme is not permitted and providing exemption from QCOs for EOUs on import of inputs required for export production.

• Appendix 2Y: The Ministry of Steel and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) are notified in Appendix 2Y of FTP, 2023, indicating their exemption from mandatory QCOs for goods to be utilized in the manufacture of export products.

Effect of the Notification:

• The notification enables Advance Authorisation holders and EOUs to import inputs without complying with mandatory QCOs, thereby streamlining import procedures and facilitating export-oriented manufacturing.

• The inclusion of Ministries/Departments in Appendix 2Y provides clarity on entities exempted from mandatory QCOs, further enhancing ease of doing business for exporters.

• This notification is poised to enhance the business environment and foster export-led growth by streamlining import procedures and alleviating compliance burdens for eligible entities, thus facilitating ease of doing business.

DGFT Public Notice No. 15/2023 dated March 14, 2024: DGFT Boosts Trade Facilitation: Amendments to Para 4.06 and Para 4.14 of Handbook of Procedures 2023

Public Notice No. 15/2023 dated March 14, 2024, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), introduces amendments to Para 4.06 and Para 4.14 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023. These amendments are aimed at enhancing the efficiency of the fixation of norms and the notification of new Standard Input-Output Norms (SIONs) under the Advance Authorisation Scheme. By streamlining and automating these processes, the amendments seek to improve the ease of doing business and facilitate trade.

In accordance with the powers vested under Paragraph 1.03 and 2.04 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby enacts the following modifications to Para 4.14 and 4.06 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023:

(A)Para 4.14 of HBP 2023 is supplemented with a new sub-paragraph (iii) as detailed below:

(iii) Ad-hoc Input-Output Norms may now be determined within a rule-based IT environment, eliminating the need for reference to the Norms Committee. However, cases flagged by the Risk Management System (RMS) may be subject to review/validation by the Norms Committee.

(B)A new sub-paragraph 4.06 (vii) is incorporated into HBP 2023:

4.06 (vii) In instances where ad-hoc norms have been established by the Norms Committee; the committee may recommend the notification of SION on a case-by-case basis.

Impact of this Public Notice: The amendments to Para 4.06 and Para 4.14 of the Handbook of Procedures 2023 aim to simplify and automate the process of setting norms and notifying new SIONs under the Advance Authorisation Scheme. This initiative is designed to foster a more business-friendly environment and facilitate smoother trade operations.

Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), Notification No. S.O. 1065(E) dated March 05, 2024:

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA), through Notification No. S.O. 1065(E) dated March 05, 2024, has announced that March 06, 2024, shall be the effective date for the provisions of sections 20, 35, and 40 of the Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023. These amendments aim to reinforce the enforcement of competitive practices and ensure fairer business environments.

Key provisions of the amendments are outlined as follows:

Section 20 of Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023: Introduces provisions for penalties, with fines not exceeding ten per cent of the average turnover or income for the last three preceding financial years, imposed on entities found involved in agreements or abuse of dominant positions.

Section 35 of Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023: Addresses contraventions by companies, outlining penalties for individuals responsible for the conduct of business of the company, as well as the company itself. It also specifies penalties for contraventions with the consent, connivance, or neglect of directors, managers, secretaries, or other officers of the company.

Section 40: Amends provisions related to the recovery of compensation, including orders passed under settlement, findings of the Appellate Tribunal or the Supreme Court, or orders for settlement passed by the Commission.

These amendments mark a significant step towards strengthening competition regulations and fostering fairer business practices in the country.

MCA Notification no. S.O. 1130(E) dated 7th March 2024: Ministry of Corporate Affairs enhances Threshold Limits for Asset and Turnover Values by 150%

The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) issued notification no. S.O. 1130(E) dated 7th March 2024, revising the threshold values for combination filings under the Competition Act, 2002. Aimed at enhancing the "Ease of doing Business," the revisions are as follows:

Enterprise Level:

• India: Assets > ₹2500 Crore or Turnover > ₹7500 Crore

• India or Outside India: Assets > USD 1.25 billion with at least ₹1250 Crore in India

Group Level:

• India: Assets > ₹10000 Crore or Turnover > ₹30000 Crore

• India or Outside India: Assets > USD 5 billion with at least ₹1250 Crore in India

Impact:

• Represents a 150% increase over original thresholds.

• De-minimis thresholds adjusted: assets increased to ₹450 crore, turnover to ₹1250 crore.

These adjustments aim to streamline business operations while ensuring compliance with competition regulations, fostering a more conducive business environment in India.

CBIC Notification No. 20/2024-Customs (N.T.) dated 11th March 2024 : CBIC Extends RoDTEP Support to Advance Authorisation/EOU Exports: Amendments and Implications

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has introduced amendments to Notification No. 24/2023-Customs (N.T.) regarding the extension of Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) support to exports by Advance Authorisation /EOU. Issued through Notification No. 20/2024-Customs (N.T.) dated 11th March 2024, these amendments are made under the authority of sub-section (1) of section 51B of the Customs Act, 1962.

The amendments, outlined in the notification issued by the Government of India, Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue) on April 1, 2023, introduce significant changes in the calculation of duty credit for specific export transactions. These changes aim to offer exporters greater flexibility and clarity in determining their duty credit entitlements.

These amendments represent the government's continuous endeavor to simplify export procedures and offer increased assistance to exporters. This aims to create a favorable trade environment and stimulate economic growth.

GSTN Advisory No. 627 dated March 12, 2024: GSTN Introduces New Tables in GSTR-1/IFF for E-commerce Supply Amendments

In a recent development, the Goods and Services Tax Network (GSTN) has announced the introduction of two new tables, 14A and 15A, in the GSTR-1/IFF filing system. These tables are designed to facilitate the amendment of details related to supplies made through e-commerce operators (ECO).

According to Advisory No. 627 issued by GSTN on March 12, 2024, the introduction of Tables 14A and 15A comes in response to Notification No. 26/2022 � Central Tax dated December 26, 2022. These tables aim to capture amendment details of supplies where e-commerce operators are liable to collect tax under section 52 or pay tax under section 9(5) of the CGST Act, 2017.

• Table 14A allows suppliers to amend details of supplies previously reported in Table 14, with specific sections addressing tax collection under section 52 (TCS) or tax payment under section 9(5).

• Table 15A enables e-commerce operators to amend details of supplies previously reported in Table 15, categorized into four sections based on the type of supplier and recipient.

Key highlights from the advisory include:

• Taxpayers can access Tables 14A and 15A through the Returns Dashboard on the GST common portal.

• Amended taxable values from Table 14A(b) will be auto-populated to Table 3.1.1(ii) of GSTR-3B.

• Amended taxable values and tax liabilities from Table 15A will be auto-populated to Table 3.1.1(i) of GSTR-3B.

• E-commerce operators are advised to manually add records related to e-invoices for supplies under section 9(5) in Table 15A.

• Amendments for debit or credit notes related to services under section 9(5) should be reported in Table 9C of GSTR-1/IFF.

The GSTN aims to streamline the process of amending e-commerce supply details with the introduction of Tables 14A and 15A, providing taxpayers with a more efficient means of compliance and reporting.

Government Enforces Timely Payments to MSMEs, Imposes Tax Penalties for Non-Compliance

The government has implemented a stringent rule mandating timely payments to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within 45 days to bolster their financial health. Failure to comply will now incur tax penalties on overdue amounts, showcasing the government's firm commitment to ensuring punctual payments.

Key Points:

• Enactment of Rule: Section 43B (h) in the Income Tax Act, introduced through the Finance Act 2023, mandates payments to MSMEs within 45 days, effective from April 1, 2024.

• Tax Penalties: Companies failing to comply risk losing deductions, with overdue amounts subject to taxation.

• Parliamentary Approval: The amendment has received parliamentary approval, signaling a significant shift in tax compliance norms.

• Government's Stance: The rule can only be revised during the Union Budget in July, underscoring the government's commitment to MSME support.

• Industry Response: While some stakeholders deem the rule vital for MSMEs' financial stability, others advocate for improved buyer access to finance to ensure timely payments to MSME suppliers.

• Government Initiatives: Initiatives like the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) have been launched to address payment delays, facilitating MSMEs' access to timely funds and ensuring their sustained growth.

The government's insistence on timely payments to MSMEs demonstrates its commitment to sustaining this vital sector. Tax penalties for non-compliance incentivize prompt payments, strengthening MSMEs' financial stability and fostering economic growth.

Custom Circular No. 2/2024-Customs, released on March 8th, 2024: Empowering Women in International Trade: CBIC's Progressive Approach

In a landmark move towards gender inclusivity, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has taken significant strides with Circular No. 2/2024-Customs, released on March 8th, 2024. This momentous initiative underscores CBIC's commitment to fostering greater participation of women in the international trade arena, recognizing its pivotal role in advancing gender equality. CBIC's recommendations facilitating women's engagement in international trade are as under:

Representation in Decision-Making Bodies: CBIC advocates for the inclusion of women in key decision-making bodies such as the Permanent Trade Facilitation Committee (PTFC) and Customs Clearance Facility Committee (CCFC). 

Incorporating Women�s Perspectives: CBIC emphasizes the integration of women's perspectives into trade meetings and discussions, ensuring that their unique challenges and opportunities are prioritized and addressed.

Establishment of Dedicated Help Desks: CBIC encourages the establishment of dedicated help desks and processing mechanisms tailored to assist women traders and logistics service providers.

CBIC's initiatives aim to streamline processes and offer specialized support to women in trade. This effort stands as a beacon of progress towards gender inclusivity in international trade.

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         INDUSTRY  SCAN                                                                             

General

Top 5 Wafer Fab Equipment Makers� Revenue Declined 1% YoY in 2023; ASML on Top

Top 5 wafer fab equipment (WFE) manufacturers� revenue declined 1% YoY in 2023 to reach $93.5 billion due to weak memory spending, macroeconomic slowdown, inventory adjustments and low demand in the smartphone and PC end markets. Out of these five WFE vendors, ASML and Applied Materials managed to post YoY growth in 2023 while Lam Research, Tokyo Electron and KLA�s revenues declined 25%, 22% and 8% YoY respectively. Strong DUV and EUV sales drove ASML to the top position in 2023. Revenue from the foundry segment grew 16% YoY in 2023 due to the ramping up of gate-all-around transistor architecture and strength in investments by customers for mature node devices across segments, including IoT, AI, cloud, automotive and 5G.

Source: https://www.counterpointresearch.com/, March 06, 2024

Skoda Auto To Assemble EVs In India Latest By 2027

Czech carmaker Skoda Auto will begin assembling electric vehicles in India by 2027, a senior company official said. The company is testing the electric SUV Enyaq for a possible launch in India this year. The focus on electric mobility is also in alignment with the government of India's push for EVs, targeting 30 percent of new car sales by 2030. Commenting on Skoda's growth strategy in India, he said it is based on two main pillars -- one is the compact SUV, which was announced, and the other is electric mobility.

Source: https://planet.outlookindia.com/, February 28, 2024

ISM Again Shelves Tower Semiconductor�s Application: ISMC to Seek Legal Action Against Tower

The legal scuffle between Israel�s Tower Semiconductor and ISMC Analog Fab has been augmenting, with the latter�s legal team have taken up the matter seriously with the government via a communication to the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) on March 8. The law firm has requested ISM to reject Tower�s new applications to set-up the fab without ISMC. During the communication, the legal team has also ensured that its clients would be undertaking serious legal actions for rupturing the agreement and carrying out illegal action. The lawyers have notified ISM that Tower has independently formed an alliance with a third party, which was offered by their clients, and then they have filed another fresh application. ISMC is not going to abide by this unilateral unlawful action and therefore, legal actions will be taken if given if the application is approved by ISM.

Source: https://circuitdigest.com/, March 13, 2024

EVs Have The Potential to Release 1,850 Times More Carbon Emissions Than Traditional Vehicles; Says Emissions Analytics

India and various other countries have started adopting and boosting electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions at a large-scale. EVs are gaining huge traction all over the world and are considered to be environmentally amicable transportation. This is because in EVs, the greenhouse gas emissions are very less compared to that of conventional petrol and diesel cars. But, the UK based global research body Emissions Analytics, which scrutinizes emissions data has now revealed that EVs are heavier than traditional vehicles and therefore, have a higher chance to release huge toxic substances into the air from the brakes and tyres. The research body counters the idea that EVs have the ability to control greenhouse emissions.

Source: https://circuitdigest.com/, March 06, 2024

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Information Technology

Information Technology stocks edge higher

Information Technology stocks were trading in green, with the S&P BSE IT Sector index increasing 135.85 points or 0.36% at 37828.33 at 09:34 IST. Among the components of the S&P BSE IT Sector index, Intellect Design Arena Ltd (up 6.33%), Tata Elxsi Ltd (up 2.51%),Birlasoft Ltd (up 1.52%),InfoBeans Technologies Ltd (up 1.05%),Persistent Systems Ltd (up 0.85%), were the top gainers. Among the other gainers were LTIMindtree Ltd (up 0.77%), Wipro Ltd (up 0.7%), Xchanging Solutions Ltd (up 0.56%), L&T Technology Services Ltd (up 0.52%), and Tata Consultancy Services Ltd (up 0.49%). On the other hand, Magellanic Cloud Ltd (down 5%), Cressanda Railway Solutions Ltd (down 4.68%), and Quick Heal Technologies Ltd (down 4.11%) turned lower.

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

Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi gears up to host two-day RIISE 2024 event from March 15

The Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Delhi has announced that its flagship event, the Research Innovation, and Incubation Showcase (RIISE) 2024, will be held on March 15 and 16, 2024. According to a press release issued by IIIT Delhi, the event is expected to be attended by experts from academia, industry, and government. The RIISE 2024 edition will be held under the overarching theme of 'Build for India,' serving as a rallying call for innovators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers dedicated to advancing homegrown solutions, the release informed. The theme, the release states, represents a vision for a nation fuelled by homegrown solutions, addressing pressing challenges with ingenuity and practicality.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/, March 12, 2024

IT professor to use satellite technology to track neighborhood inequality

Lewis and his research team plan to develop a prototype system that will combine artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery to take snapshot images of neighborhoods and track inequalities in infrastructure maintenance. Lewis� team includes Dr. Rebekkah Darner�director of Illinois State�s Center for Mathematics, Science, and Technology and associate professor in the School of Biological Sciences�who is helping with grant and project management; Drs. Alec Foster and Daniel Kpienbaareh, both geography professors whose focus is on satellite imagery; and Dr. Dimitrios Nikolaou, chair of the Department of Economics, who will measure the impact of public maintenance on neighborhood wealth. Lewis will lead the team and handle project management and the artificial intelligence side of the research. The researchers initially plan to use publicly available satellite imagery to identify and assess pothole damage to roads in different neighborhoods in Bloomington-Normal over a roughly six-month period.

Source: By John Moody, https://news.illinoisstate.edu/, March 13, 2024

Karnataka innovation technology society to collaborate with Cisco on cybersecurity skills training for 40,000 individuals

Cisco, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Karnataka Innovation Technology Society (KITS), Department of Electronics, IT, Bt, Government of Karnataka, to train 40,000 individuals in cybersecurity skills and cyber awareness. Women will represent half of the trained workforce to help meet the growing need for cyber talent as organisations look to bolster defences against an evolving and complex threat landscape. According to Cisco�s Cybersecurity Readiness Index, 90% of organisations in India expect a cybersecurity incident to disrupt their businesses in the next 12 to 24 months. Moreover, as stated by an Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) report, with 40% of cybersecurity teams in Indian organisations understaffed, the urgency for skill preparedness is clear. This collaboration underscores a collective commitment to equip students with job-ready cybersecurity skills required to meet the ever-growing security demands of tomorrow.

Source: https://indiatechnologynews.in/, March 13, 2024

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Consumer Electronics

Samsung Partners with NDHAL on Consumer Electronics Assembly Plant in Nigeria

Samsung Electronics West Africa, a subsidiary of South Korean multinational appliance and consumer electronics company, has announced a partnership with the New Home Distribution (Africa) Limited (NHDAL) towards the assembly of Consumer Electronics (CE) products in Nigeria. The partnership between Samsung and NHDAL was sealed at a ceremony in Lagos on Thursday, March 07, 2024, which will increase accessibility for Samsung televisions, refrigerators, and air conditioners through a reduction in cost per unit and increased distribution channels. Sunki Kim, Business Manager, Consumer Electronics Division, Samsung Electronics West Africa, said the company was motivated to go into the partnership due to its emphasis on quality and reliability, consistently delivering products that meet high standards and exceed customer expectations.

Source: https://nairametrics.com/, March 13, 2024

Samsung to use tech favoured by SK Hynix as AI chip making race heats up

Samsung Electronics (005930.KS), opens new tab plans to use a chip making technology championed by rival SK Hynix, five people said, as the world's top memory chipmaker seeks to catch up in the race to produce high-end chips used to power artificial intelligence. The demand for high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips has boomed with the growing popularity of generative AI. But Samsung, unlike peers SK Hynix (000660.KS), opens new tab and Micron Technology (MU.O), opens new tab, has been conspicuous by its absence in any dealmaking with AI chip leader Nvidia (NVDA.O), opens new tab to supply latest HBM chips. One of the reasons Samsung has fallen behind is its decision to stick with chip making technology called non-conductive film (NCF) that causes some production issues, while Hynix switched to the mass reflow molded underfill (MR-MUF) method to address NCF's weakness, according to analysts and industry watchers.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/, March 13, 2024

Govt directs 4 sectors to provide detailed info on warranty, service centres

Amid consumer complaints regarding problems in repairs of goods purchased, the government on Friday directed four major industries, including automobiles and electronics, to provide information about products, service centres and warranty conditions in the best interest of consumers. The direction has been issued to ensure that consumers who are seeking repair of products are not deceived in the absence of relevant information, an official release said. To address the new as well as emerging concerns affecting consumers regarding the repair of their products, Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh held a meeting with the major stakeholders of four sectors -- Automobiles, Consumer Durables, Mobile and Electronics, and Farming equipment -- to onboard on the Right to Repair Portal India.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 08, 2024

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Telecom

DoT abolishes wireless operating licenses for ease of doing biz

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) Tuesday abolished wireless operating licenses for establishing and maintaining telecommunications, paving the way for a simplified regulatory regime and would also enable faster rollout of networks and increase mobile broadband penetration in the country. As per a notification issued by DoT dated March 11, the requirement to obtain a WOL for unified license, national long distance (NLD), international long distance (ILD), VSAT, GMPCS, machine to machine service etc have been removed with immediate effect. However, for entities who intend to establish or operate a transmitting station and have not been granted any license under section 4 of Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, WOL will continue to be required as per existing procedure.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 12, 2024

Gopal Vittal asks Airtel executives to be on ground today to fix customer issues

Bharti Airtel's managing director Gopal Vittal has called on the telco's 19,000-odd employees, including senior executives, across India to cancel all business meetings on Tuesday and spend the entire day on the field with customers to get a fix on service challenges they face, even as the Sunil Mittal-led telco readies to launch 5G services nationally by the month-end. The exercise is part of a national brand-building drive to position Airtel as a customer-obsessed telco that is keen on eliciting direct market feedback from its target audience on the state of its 2G, 4G and 5G mobile operations as well as home broadband services.

Source: By Kalyan Parbat, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 12, 2024

Vi eyes 40% of revenues from 5G in over two years

Vodafone Idea (Vi) expects to garner 40% of its revenue from the 5G business in 24-to-30 months, post-rollout of its next-gen mobile broadband service. It has completed its minimum rollout obligation towards 5G deployments in four circles, the cash-strapped telco said in an investor presentation. In its presentation, the telecom JV between UK's Vodafone and India's Aditya Birla Group, said its delayed entry into the country's next-gen wireless broadband turf would help it access the latest advances in 5G technology in a cost-efficient way. It added that 90% of its radio gear is already 5G-ready. Another strategic focus is refarming its airwaves in the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands as part of plans to expand the telco's 4G coverage in its 17 priority markets.

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

BSNL installs 3,500 4G towers in 5 northern states: CMD Pravin Kumar Purwar

State-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has installed 3,500 base transceiver stations (BTS) across five circles in North India for 4G services, Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Pravin Kumar Purwar has said. The company will soon begin deploying in Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and other states. These circles are Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh West. A BTS is a fixed radio transceiver in any mobile network, most often in the form of a tower. Speaking on the sidelines of an industry event here, Purwar said the telecom company remained on target to launch commercial 4G services as soon as operationally possible. This might be after 20,000 base transceiver stations (BTS) go live, he indicated.

Source: https://www.business-standard.com/, March 12, 2024

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EV�s & Auto Electronics

E-Car sales fall to 5-month low in February despite steep price cuts

Electric car sales in India fell to their lowest level in five months in February even as companies took steep price cuts, indicating it would take more than just a lower acquisition cost to nudge buyers to shift to EVs in India where automakers are committing billions of dollars for the switch to electric mobility. Cumulative sales in February dropped to 7,277 vehicles, the lowest since October, showed data from the government's Vahan portal. So far, this month, EV registrations have fallen to 204 units per day on average, the lowest in 11 months, signalling that the softening of sales is set to continue. Sales are set to slow further with less than 20 days left before the end of incentives under the government's Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles in India (FAME India) scheme. These incentives are applicable to cars used in the commercial fleet, which comprise a significant portion of EV sales, and with the impending general election, automakers are unsure if the scheme would be extended.

Source: By, Shally Mohile & Ashutosh Shyam, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 13, 2024

From Hyundai Creta EV to OLA Electric Car: Electric vehicles expected to be launched in 2024 � Check expected price, range

India is gearing up for a surge of new launches in the electric vehicle (EV) segment. With the environment-conscious consumer in mind, several major manufacturers are set to introduce their latest EV models which include Citroen eC3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta EV, Maruti Suzuki eVX, Tata Curvv EV, OLA Electric car, promising innovation and sustainability. Here's a glimpse of five upcoming electric vehicles that are generating considerable buzz. EV models like Citroen eC3 Aircross, Hyundai Creta EV, Maruti Suzuki eVX, Tata Curvv EV, OLA electric car are expected to be launched by the end of 2024. Check expected price, features, design, range and other details of these EVs.

Source: https://www.zeebiz.com/, March 13, 2024

Uber India introduces new feature to track CO2 emissions saved through Uber Green rides

Mobility on demand platform Uber has introduced a new feature for its users to track their contribution in reducing carbon emissions to the environment with the launch of �Emission Savings�. The new feature will give Uber riders visibility on how many kilograms of CO2 emissions they saved by riding in Uber Green vehicles. The feature is live across Delhi-NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru where riders can choose to book Uber Green � an all-electric vehicle ride category on the Uber app. The initiative is an attempt by Uber to nudge towards a behavioural shift to sustainable choices by informing riders about their contributions and encouraging them to embrace the low-emissions lifestyle.

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

Tata Motors calls on govt to extend sops by 3 years to further boost EV adoption

The ₹3.76-lakh crore Tata Motors, which harnessed increasing demand for electric cars to reclaim automotive market-capitalization leadership in India, has urged New Delhi to extend incentives on electric taxis for another three years and also include personal cars in the government's flagship demand support program FAME, citing global EV leader China's example. Tata Motors, which has seen a near-six-fold surge in its stock price through the past five years that helped establish its domestic EV leadership credentials, wants New Delhi to help replicate an enabling environment similar to that in Beijing that has pledged to support adoption of EVs until unit sales touched at least a fifth of all new cars sold.

Source: By Sharmistha Mukherjee, https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, Mar 12, 2024

China's Xiaomi to start first electric vehicle deliveries this month

Xiaomi will this month start deliveries of its first electric vehicle (EV) in China, it said on Tuesday, venturing into the world's largest auto market at a time of aggressive price competition. The smartphone maker, China's fifth-largest, said in a Weibo post that 59 of its stores in 29 cities nationwide will take orders for its new Speed Ultra 7 (SU7) sedan. A launch event is scheduled for March 28, when the new EV's sticker tag is expected to be made public. China's EV sales climbed 18% in January-February, not far from the 21% growth seen for all of 2023. This year, market leader BYD led a round of deep price-cutting to try to woo consumers in the face of weaker domestic demand.

Source: https://www.cnbctv18.com/, March 13, 2024

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Defence & Solar

India-US Relationship Is Very Strong In Defence and Economics, Says Indian-American Lawmaker

Underlining that the Biden administration has worked to strengthen India-US relationship, the Indian-American lawmaker has said that the bilateral relationship between the two democracies is very strong. It (India-US relationship) is very strong on defense, on economics, on the cooperation on AI, on alternative energy, many areas of cooperation,� Congressman Ro Khanna, co-chairman of Congressional India Caucus told PTI in an interview. It (India-US relationship) is very strong on defense, on economics, on the cooperation on AI, on alternative energy, many areas of cooperation,� Congressman Ro Khanna, co-chairman of Congressional India Caucus told PTI in an interview.

Source: https://www.news18.com/, March 13, 2024

Indian committee OKs $4 billion buy of BrahMos missiles, more tech

The Indian government is closer to buying a multibillion-dollar package of cruise missiles, air defense weapons, surveillance radars and fighter jet engines following approval from the country�s highest decision-making body on security affairs. At a Feb. 21 meeting, the Cabinet Committee on Security approved the four procurement projects cumulatively worth about 350 billion rupees (U.S. $4 billion). According to local media reports quoting government sources, the approved items were BrahMos cruise missiles for the Navy, air defense guns for the Army, ground-based air surveillance radars and new engines for the Air Force�s MiG-29 fighters. Approval by the committee, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chairs, is a necessary step along the Defence Ministry�s contractual pathway.

Source: By Gordon Arthur, https://www.defensenews.com/, March 01, 2024

PM witnesses 'Bharat Shakti'-a Tri-Services Firing and Manoeivure Exercise in Pokhran, Rajasthan

Speaking about the test firing of the long-range AGNI missile equipped with advanced MIRV technology yesterday, the Prime Minister affirmed that only a handful of countries in the world have hold of this new-age technology and prowess and underlined that the testing is another feather in the cap for aatmairbhata in defence. The idea of Viksit Bharat is unimaginable without aatmanirbhar Bharat�, the Prime Minister said, underscoring the need to reduce dependence on others. Noting that today�s occasion is a step towards this resolution, the Prime Minister said that India is laying emphasis on aatmanirbharta from edible oils to fighter jets. The Prime Minister said that the success of aatmnirbharta in defence can be seen with India�s tanks, cannons, fighter jets, helicopters and missile systems which reflect India�s strength. �We are experiencing the flight of Made in India with arms and ammunition, communication devices, cyber and space. This is indeed Bharat Shakti�, an elated Prime Minister said. He also mentioned indigenously made Tajas fighter jets, advanced light combat helicopters, submarines, destroyers, aircraft carriers, advanced Arjun tanks and cannons.

Source: https://www.narendramodi.in/, March 12, 2024

India makes historic cut in defence imports from russia

In a significant move, India has slashed its procurement of defence equipment from Russia to less than half, marking the first such reduction since the 1960s. This strategic shift aims to reduce reliance on Russian arms amidst tensions with Pakistan and China. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), India's arms imports from Russia have plummeted from 76% in the 2009�13 period to just 36% in 2019�23, indicating a substantial change in defence procurement strategy. India's move includes a notable increase in purchases from Western nations like France and the United States. France, in particular, has emerged as a major supplier, securing significant deals for combat aircraft. Meanwhile, the United States has strengthened its arms trade ties with India, reinforcing their strategic partnership.

Source: https://www.indiandefensenews.in/, March 13, 2024

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EMSIF

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

Centre considering amendments to MSME Development Act to ensure timely payments to small businesses

The Centre is looking at further enabling provisions to ensure award of delayed payments to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) by possible amendments in the MSME Development Act, 2006. Under current norms, in case of payment which is delayed by over 45 days after receiving a product from the supplier or MSME, the buyer has to the buyer has to pay compound interest with the monthly rests to the supplier on the amount at thrice the notified bank rate. In case the payment gets stuck further, every state has a facilitation council for settlement of disputes and filing of payments by issuing directions to the buyer. However, these provisions have often not provided adequate recourse to MSMEs and cases can drag on for years as the buyer may choose to appeal the award in a higher court or simply default on the payment. An estimated Rs 10.7 lakh crore is seen to be stuck in such dues.

Source: By Surabhi, https://www.businesstoday.in/, March 12, 2024

Four and a half lakh MSMEs registered in Pune City

Pune City, known as Information Technology hub and epicenter of automobile industries, will soon be identified as the Micro, Small and Medium (MSME) district. According to the recent statistics released by the Department of Industries, Pune boasts a staggering count of over four and a half lakh registered MSMEs, solidifying its status as a thriving entrepreneurial hub. Additionally, it is revealed that one Lakh MSMEs are actively engaged in manufacturing activities, while the remaining three and a half lakh operate within the service sector. These enterprises are spread across Pune City, Pimpri-Chinchwad and other talukas within the district, reflecting the diverse economic landscape of the region.

Source: https://www.mypunepulse.com/, March 11, 2024

Nine states get nod for strategic investment plan for MSME units

The Centre Wednesday approved Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) of nine states, including Rajasthan, West Bengal and Gujarat, that seek to bring down the cost of compliance and improve access to credit for micro, small and medium enterprises there, a government official told ET. A total of Rs 713 crore has been approved for these nine SIPs," the official added. SIPs of Meghalaya, Chandigarh, Tripura, Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh also received go-ahead on Wednesday. So far, 25 states and union territories have submitted SIPs to the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises since the roll out of the scheme in 2022. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra were the early states to submit SIPs, while Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Manipur are yet to submit their SIPs.

Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, March 07, 2024

SIDBI announces $120 million fund for climate, sustainability solutions from startups, MSMEs

SIDBI, the principal financial institution for MSME development, on Monday, announced a new fund to enable investment into early-stage startups and MSMEs harnessing technology-led innovation to spur climate solutions and sustainability in India. The $120 million Avaana Sustainability Fund (ASF) anchored by SIDBI as an accredited entity was approved by the world�s largest climate fund Green Climate Fund (GCF). The latter contributed $24.5 million to the ASF. Anticipated outcomes include significant contributions to climate change mitigation, adaptation, and the enhancement of resilience in vulnerable sectors of the Indian economy. The Green Climate Fund, a pivotal component of the historic Paris Agreement, aims to expedite climate action in developing countries through a partnership-driven approach and the deployment of finance and climate investment expertise.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/, March 11, 2024

Cashinvoice partners with SBI Global Factors for factoring solutions to MSMEs; eyes Rs 3,000 cr invoice financing in FY25

Digital supply chain finance platform Cashinvoice has partnered with factoring company SBI Global Factors to broad base the use of factoring solutions for MSMEs. With this collaboration, the company is targeting additional credit disbursement of Rs 3,000 crore across over 100 MSMEs in tier 2 and tier 3 areas in the financial year 2024-2025. Cashinvoice said it is also expecting a 20 per cent upsurge in its revenue post integrating the factoring business. Speaking on the tie-up, Arun Poojari, Founder and CEO of Cashinvoice said that the increased demand for MSMEs to find prompt financial solutions to meet their business objectives is propelling the factoring solutions market forward.

Source: https://www.financialexpress.com/, March 11, 2024  

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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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FORTHCOMING EVENTS &  GENERAL INFORMATION 

International Events
	Int'l PCB and Electronics Manufacturing Exhibition February 29 to March 2, 2024 EH 100, Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) https://www.chanchao.com.tw/pcb-eme-thailand/exhibitor.asp
	International Battery Seminar & Exhibit 2024  12 - 15 Mar 2024 Loews Royal Pacific Resort at Universal Orlando, Orlando, USA https://www.internationalbatteryseminar.com/
	Appliance & Electronics World Expo 2024 14 - 17 Mar 2024 Shanghai New International Expo Centre(SNIEC), Shanghai, China https://www.awe.com.cn/
	Seoul International Electric Fair & Power Generation Korea 2024 03 - 05 Apr 2024 Coex Halls A & B, Seoul, South Korea https://sief.co.kr/fairDash.do?hl=ENG
	Hong Kong Electronics Fair 2024 13-16 Apr 2024 - Physical     Fair 6-23 Apr 2024 - Click2Match (Online)  13 Mar-12 May 2024 - hktdc.com Sourcing  Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre               https://www.hktdc.com/event/hkelectronicsfairse
	Wire Dusseldorf 2024      Messe D�sseldorf GmbH 15 - 19 Apr 2024 Messe D�sseldorf,Am Staad, D�sseldorf, D-40474 Germany https://www.wire-tradefair.com/
	Automotive World Korea 2024 24 - 26 Apr 2024 COEX, Seoul, South Korea  https://www.automotiveworld.kr/
	The International Electronic Circuits 13-15 May 2024 Shanghai, China http://www.cpcashow.com/en/information.asp
	The Total Solution Exhibition for Electronics Equipment 12- 14 June 2024 Tokyo, Japan  https://www.jpcashow.com/show2024/en/
	China (Guzhen) International Lighting Fair 2024 MESSE FRANKFURT 9-12 JUNE,2024 Guzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, Zhongshan, CHINA https://guangzhou-international-lighting-exhibition.hk.messefrankfurt.com/guangzhou/en.html
	KPCA Show 2024 (Int�l Electronic Circuits and Packaging Show) 4 - 6 September 2024 Songdo Convensia, Incheon http://www.kpcashow.com/m/eng/about.asp
	TPCA Show 23-25 October 2024 Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center https://tw.tpcashow.com/introtw/
	International Electronics Circuit Exhibition 4-6 December 2024 Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center (Bao�an), China https://www.hkpcashow.org/en/show/information

Domestic Events
	4th Electronics Summit 2024 Radisson Hotel, Sector 18, Noida https://elcina.com/forthcoming-activities
	Electronics for You Expo 2024 Thu, May 16, 2024 - Sat, May 18, 2024 Auto Cluster Exhibition Center, Pune, India, Pune, India https://www.efyexpo.com/pun
	13th Strategic Electronics Summit July, Bangalore https://ses-india.in/
	Electronica India 11th -13th September 2024 India Expo Mart, Greater Noida https://electronica-india.com/en/trade-fair/
	Semicon India 2024 11th -13th September 2024 India Expo Mart, Greater Noida SEMICON India 2024 - Shaping the Semiconductor Future | SEMI
	14th Source India Electronics Supply Chain February, Chennai Trade Centre https://event.sourceindia-electronics.com/

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