Tuesday, 4 September 2007

Wrong Policy Costs India Dear, Intel Goes To China, Vietnam

Intel, the world’s top computer chip maker will set up its chip fabrication units in China and Vietnam bypassing India following delays in India announcing its semiconductor policy, Intel chief Craig Barrett said...

Intel, the world’s top computer chip maker will set up its chip fabrication units in China and Vietnam bypassing India following delays in India announcing its semiconductor policy, Intel chief Craig Barrett said.

Barrett, the topper of USD 35 billion firm said, “The Indian Government policy was not timely for us. The Government did not have a well documented plan when we began discussions with them.”

“There are no complaints on issues like infrastructure against India. Between the time we initiated discussions with India and the announcement of the semiconductor policy, Intel already firmed up its plans in Vietnam and China,” he said adding “India is still high on our list and will definitely consider in our next round of investment. However, right now we don’t have any plan to set up a plant here. There is enough capacity at this point.”

An India Semiconductor Association study said the Indian electronics market will rise to USD 363 billion by 2015 from USD 28.2 billion in 2005 at a compound annual growth rate of 29.8 per cent pushing the total market for semiconductors to USD 36.3 billion by 2015.

Meanwhile the union government said the guidelines on the much awaited semiconductor policy would be announced by the end of the week. This initiative will help companies such as Intel, Siemens, Texas, Videocon, Moser Baer and others to build semiconductor plants in India.