With the changing dynamics of the consumer electronics industry, and the new government at the Centre, industry players are upbeat about their future prospects and completely support the ‘Make in India’ drive
By Diksha P Gupta
The Consumer Electronics and Appliances Manufacturers Association (CEAMA) concluded its 35th annual function with its members collectively emphasising the importance of domestically manufactured electronics. CEAMA felicitated Soon Kwon, managing director, LG Electronics India, with the ‘Man of Electronics’ award, which recognises a person’s all-round contribution to the Indian electronics and appliances industry, through the years.
The event was graced by Rao Inderjit Singh, minister of state (independent charge) for planning and defence; R N Dhoot, member of Parliament; Anirudh Dhoot, president, CEAMA; Manish Sharma, president, CEAMA and other prominent industry leaders.
One of the key issues raised during the event was the urgent need to bolster the growth of the manufacturing sector by bringing manufacturers onto a common platform to discuss the way forward. CEAMA promised support for the ‘Make in India’ campaign by which Prime Minister Narendra Modi aims to strengthen India’s global manufacturing footprint, and draw investments to the country. Speakers at the event discussed ways to come together and start looking at home-grown sources for components and raw materials leading to finished products, as this would pave way for indigenous manufacturing.
In his address at the event, Rao Inderjit Singh said, “India has the potential to develop and manufacture electronics hardware for global markets and gain a higher share of the international electronics market, besides meeting the country’s future requirements. The way forward for the electronics industry is a healthy relationship between the government and the industry, which will put India in a strong, dominant position in the global electronics map.”
Taking the discussion forward, R N Dhoot added, “The government has notified the National Electronics Policy to incentivise electronics hardware manufacturing in the country. Consumer electronic products manufactured indigenously will provide a valuable boost to the industry as well as the economy.”
CEAMA officials shared that the government has always been supportive of the growth and development of the consumer electronics sector and has taken several initiatives in this direction, such as the National Electronics Policy. One of the most important objectives of the policy is to achieve a turnover of about US$ 400 billion, involving investments of about US$ 100 billion, and employment of around 28 million by 2020. The officials also predicted tremendous growth for the industry with the ‘Make in India’ campaign paving the way for indigenous manufacturing and encouraging the growth of the sector as well as the country.
This year has not been one of the best for the industry, but the new government has been able to lift market and consumer sentiments, which holds the promise of a lucrative period for manufacturers. Looking at the changing market dynamics, CEAMA has developed its ‘Vision for 2020’ which aims at encouraging innovation through coordinated efforts among companies and between institutions and the industry. The move will propel the growth of the industry in the coming years to achieve this aim. Apart from collaborating with the manufacturers, CEAMA will also work closely with the Indian government to create a favourable industrial policy framework for the industry.
—Manish Sharma, president, CEAMA and managing
director, Panasonic India and South Asia
