Huge scope for ESDM industry in India: Pilot

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Minister of State for Communications and IT Sachin Pilot on Monday said there is a huge opportunity in developing the electronics system and design manufacturing (ESDM) industry in the country with an estimated demand forelectronics expected to exceed $400 billion by 2020.

"Electronics demand in the country is growing exponentially and most of it is being met through imports. There is a huge economic opportunity in developing the ESDM industry in India," said Pilot, addressing a meeting with chief ministers and ministers of states in a meeting here.

"The development of ESDM industry is also extremely important for strategic reasons. According to department of IT task force report, the demand for electronics is expected to exceed $400 billion by 2020," he added.

Pilot said the government was coming up with a comprehensive policy framework to make it globally competitive to invest in India.

This would involve investment of nearly $100 billion and employment for 28 million people at different levels, said Pilot.

The minister stressed the importance of the role of state governments and said they should consider developing attractive policies.

"They can develop electronic manufacturing clusters, create necessary human resource required by the industry and effective single window mechanisms so as to provide ease in doing business in the state," said Pilot.

R. Chandrasekhar, secretary, department of telecommunications and IT, highlighted the initiatives planned to promote the ESDM country included providing special incentive package for investments.

A national electronics mission is also proposed to steer the whole programme, he said.