Intel, on Wednesday, attributed to tardy action on Indian government’s part for the company to bypass India for setting up a semiconductor manufacturing unit.
Briefing reporters here, Intel Chairman Craig Barrett, said “The Indian government was a bit slow to come out with its semiconductor policy and missed the window of our plan to add new manufacturing capacity.”
The $35 billion company had announced new facilities in China and Vietnam, which are likely to become operational by 2009.
“We do our manufacturing capacity planning usually years in advance such as we planned in China and Vietnam. We were in communication and discussion with Indian government also,” he observed. As per new semi-conductor policy a company will have to invest a minimum of Rs 25 billion to avail incentives for semi-conductor plants and Rs 10 billion for manufacturing of other products. The Centre announced the policy in February 22 and it came into effect on March 21.
Literacy alliance
Mr Barrett, however, hastened to point out that India would continue to be focus of his future strategies as the country can grow into one of world’s first three economic powers within next 20-25 years. “Past is past.. India is high on our list of future manufacturing destinations if we require additional capacity", he said.
Meanwhile, Intel also announced partnership with 16 Indian companies including NIIT Ltd, Fortis Healthcare, TCS among others for its World Ahead Programme. The Indian alliance partners will undertake projects aiming to reduce illiteracy and making quality healthcare accessible to many. Through the programme, Intel strives to improve education, healthcare, entrepreneurship and government services in developing countries worldwide by accelerating access to computers, connectivity and localised Internet content.
The company also signed a pact with UNESCO’s affiliate in India to create a partnership focussed on advancing Intel's education initiatives. The IT major has roped in UNESCO in this alliance, which is similar to an Intel initiative already undertaken in Brazil, Egypt and Lebanon as a part of its World Ahead programme.
The World Ahead programme aims to develop low-cost full-featured personal computers, extend the WiMax technology and deployments worldwide, collaborating with governments on digital inclusion programmes.
