Invest in Tamil Nadu: Stalin calls Electronic Component Manufacturers

The deputy chief minister of Tamil Nadu Mr M K Stalin has called upon the Manufacturers of Electronic Component's to invest in the State.

Inaugurating Sanmina-SCI's manufacturing facility at suburban Orgadam on Sunday, Mr Stalin said Chennai has become a major manufacturing hub for Electronic Hardware.

''However, as a country we are still heavily dependent on import of electronic components. The import content is as high as 75 per cent to 85 per cent. This highlights the enormous potential for local manufacturing to substitute imports,'' he added.

In contrast, in automobile projects, this local content was as high as, 80 per cent to 85 per cent due to the establishment of a large number of auto component manufacturers.

Stating that the government was keen to trigger a similar growth in electronic component manufacturing projects, Mr Stalin invited electronic component manufacturers to invest in Tamil Nadu.

Stalin also requested Sanmina to establish a Printed Circuit Board manufacturing facility in the state and promised full support from the government.

He further said, Tamil Nadu, especially, Chennai has excelled, in IT sector. Notwithstanding the global recession, the IT exports from the State increased from 28,426 crore in 2007-08 to 36,680 crore in 2008-09, recording a 29 per cent growth, which was highest in the country.

He said Electronic hardware manufacturing has similar potential to make India a Global powerhouse and Tamil Nadu was keen to carve a pride of place in this.

Mr Stalin quoted a study and said Tamil Nadu had emerged as the most attractive investment destination. ''Oxford Analytica, an international, independent consulting firm recently conducted a study ''India Deconstructed'' and concluded that Tamil Nadu is the most attractive State for foreign firms seeking to invest in India due to its better quality infrastructure and governance. This study analysed 28 States, and two Union Territories in India and ranked Tamil Nadu as the best,'' he noted.

He said of the five top global EMS producers, Foxconn, Flextronics and Sanmina, have chosen Chennai to set up their facilities in India.

''Apart from Sanmina other major Electronic Hardware projects, set up in the State included Motorola, DELL, Samsung, Tessolve Semi-conductor, Videocon, Nokia-Siemens, Signet-Solar, and Moser-Baer. Total investment, attracted in these, nine major electronic hardware projects is about Rs 8,000 crore with an employment potential for over 45,000 people directly and indirectly.

- Asian Tribune -