Pre-Budget Reaction of Mr. Pankaj Mohindroo, National President, Indian Cellular Association (ICA) and Chairman - Fast Track Task Force (FTTF), Set Up by the GOI to Promote Mobile Handset Manufacturing Eco-System in India

The Indian Cellular Association (ICA) is very optimistic regarding GOI's strong intent to rejuvenate the manufacturing growth of this sector and we expect suitable regulatory interventions may be announced by the Hon'ble Finance Minister during his Budget presentation on 29^th Feb, 2016.

While the Mobile Handset Manufacturing Industry in India has witnessed a staggering growth of more than 100% in the current financial year in value terms vis-a-vis what was achieved during 2015-2016, we still have a long way to go before catching up with countries like Vietnam and finally with China.

The Fast Track Task Force (FTTF) established by the GOI to achieve manufacturing target of 500 Mn handsets and generation of 15 lakh jobs by 2019 is working overtime with support from the Union Government and various states to achieve this daunting nation building task set out before the FTTF.

We understand that in order to achieve the target to establish India as a Global Manufacturing Hub for mobile handsets and components, the nation needs to adopt some game changing and transformational regulatory measures with a special focus to develop component manufacturing industry, enhance ease of doing business, support local innovation and R&D, to meet skill requirements for the industry and for attracting investments into this critical sector.

We are absolutely confident that the GOI under the leadership of the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi will leave no stone unturned in undertaking appropriate measures for transforming this critical sector.