VISAKHAPATNAM: Even as India is aiming to achieve production of 500 million mobile handsets by 2019, Indian Cellular Association (ICA) national president Pankaj Mohindroo felt that Andhra Pradesh had the potential to garner 25-30 per cent of the market share in the telecom and electronics manufacturing sector. He said that Andhra tops among the states suitable for telecom and electronic manufacturing industries.
During a panel discussion on ‘Creating Electronics Manufacturing Hub in Andhra Pradesh’, organised by the state government at the launch of the Industry Mission here Wednesday, Mohindroo said that India was aiming to create an annual mobile handset manufacturing output of 1.5 lakh crore to 3 lakh crore in the coming five years, which can create nearly 15 lakh jobs. “As per a recent study that ranks states on their competitiveness to promote manufacturing in the ESDM (Electronic System Design Manufacturing) sector based on 43 parameters, Andhra Pradesh is one of the top states in the list along with Gujarat,” he said.
The ICA national president further said the Association had issued an advisory to its members, including Apple, Samsung and Nokia, that Andhra Pradesh along with six other states had the potential for setting up manufacturing units.
However, he emphasised the need for the state government to take the right steps to attract investments.
He cautioned that the state scores very low in friendliness of the tax administration, which requires immediate attention so as to pursue more investors.