LOCAL PARTS IN MOBILES TO AID EXPORTS

By: Priyanka Yadav

The government has recently mandated the use of over 20 per cent indigenous components in mobile devices and 40 per cent in telecom equipment made in India for companies seeking 3 per cent interest subsidy on exports. The order also states that only the companies involved in complete manufacturing of products in India  will be eligible for the interest subsidy over those who just assemble their products in the country.

The mandate has come following a recommendation by DoT to the Commerce Ministry to impose minimum value addition criteria for telecom products for eligibility under "Interest equalisation scheme on pre & post shipment Rupee export credit" announced in November 2015. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade had informed the DoT that in February the Department of Commerce has accepted the telecom department suggestion to impose minimum value addition criteria for telecom products for eligibility under the scheme. However, eligibility for benefits under the scheme will be subject to notification by the DoT.

 The DoT said that to avail benefit under the scheme of interest subsidy, "The entire product ,including all populated printed circuit boards (circuits), should be manufactured in India at completely knocked down level, i.e full Electronic Manufacturing Services (EMS) done in India."

The decision was appreciated by the mobile industry body Indian Cellular Association, and electronic component makers body ELCINA. But more benefits were demanded to boost exports.

"It is a positive step towards mitigation of disabilities but very comprehensive package for export is required if we want to compete at global scale. This is a very small step," ICA National president Pankaj Mohindroo said. Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) said that the new rules will ensure only those who are doing minimum acceptable value addition get the benefit of the Interest Equalisation Scheme.

At present, almost every telecom equipment maker and mobile phone manufacturer imports circuits of their products with components pre-mounted on it and put them as one piece at their factory in the country to make final product. The present practice leave scope for little value addition in products that are 'Made in India'.

"It is important that this additional benefit under Interest Equalisation Scheme is provided only to those manufacturers who achieve minimum local value addition and move up from SKD (semi-knocked down circuits imported with components fitted on it) to CKD manufacturing with use of some locally manufactured components," Goel said.