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Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Shri Y.S. Chowdary, while inaugurating second edition of India Electronics Expo, organized by Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC) today, reflected upon the current status of Electronics manufacturing and exports sector in India.

In the backdrop of the Aadhaar bill being passed in the Parliament today, the Minister observed that coupled with the Make in India, Digital India and Skill India programmes, the Aadhaar platform would not only connect the entire country but also sort out a host of governance issues and bring over one billion Indians to the mainstream. As a result of this, he predicted, a huge demand for electronics products and components will be generated in the near future.

Shri Chowdary noted that against huge imports our electronics exports are hardly US$ 6 billion and hardware exports paling into insignificance as compared to the computer software and services exports of over US$ 100 billion. Our focus should be on import substitution and generating state-of-the-art capabilities to cater to the world�s growing markets, he remarked.

Referring particularly to small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Shri Chowdary observed that manufacture of electronics goods and components is ideally suited to them. The electronics industry can flourish under the hub and spoke scheme, he said, mentioning that SME clusters can come up near major electronics manufacturing units. It would proliferate entrepreneurship and generate gainful employment in the economy.

Events like India Electronics Expo can be the ambassadors not only to invite investments in the critical sector but also amplifying our capabilities, which are relevant to many countries particularly to developing world. There is considerable interest evinced by Japanese companies in India. Technologies of the future like Internet of Things are another area that can catalyse the electronics sector in India, he added.

The Expo is sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 33 exhibitors from India are displaying their products and over 120 delegates from 17 countries, including those from the focus regions of Africa, Latin America, ASEAN and CIS countries are scouting for products at the event. The main products on display are consumer electronics, telecom, instruments, electronic components and electronic manufacturing services (EMS).

Shri Vinod Sharma, Chairman, India Electronics Expo said that the event should not be seen as a mere platform for transacting businesses but an extended canvass for forging meaningful partnership between Indian manufacturers and overseas businessmen leading to technology transfer, joint ventures etc. Underscoring the need for developing newer frugal products and solutions, which can add value to the existing range of electronics goods, he observed that it would lead to greater acceptance of Indian goods in the international market.

Earlier in his welcome address, Shri Saumen Chakraborty, Chairman, ESC underscored the need for blending India�s software expertise with hardware to create newer paradigms in the digital space by moving up in the value chain.

Others present at the occasion were Shri Nalin Kohli, Past Chairman ESC and Chairman Indiasoft Organizing Committee, Shri Prasad Garapati, Vice Chairman, ESC and Shri D K Sareen, Executive Director, ESC.