Centre Ready To Give Foreign IT Hardware Firms More Time For Local Manufacturing

New Delhi, Aug 14 (KNN) The central government is considering to provide foreign companies more time to set up local manufacturing units for products such as laptops, personal computers and servers, reported ET. 

A senior government official told ET that the government is thinking of this provided they submit a clear, detailed and graded roadmap of their make-in-India plans.

The companies have sought up to 12 months to set up local factories.

If the government is satisfied with plans submitted by the companies, it could think of providing some relaxation on the licensing norms for import of such items, which also include tablets and small form factor computers.

“The idea is to encourage the Apples, Dells and HPs of the world and others to start their production in India and not just be present through contract manufacturing or white labels,” the official said.

The government is in constant touch with the companies on the timelines and the requirements for India production.

“We will work on it with them,” the official added.

Senior government officials had clarified earlier that the restrictions were not meant to discourage imports as was widely believed. The procedure to apply for a licence would be simple and quick, they said.  (KNN Bureau)