Centre to announce semiconductor policy soon

Bangalore, June 2 (UNI) The Centre will soon announce a full-fledged semiconductor policy, involving special package of incentives to the industry, Union Communications and Information Technology Minister Dayanidhi Maran announced today.

Speaking to newspersons here after inaugurating the new facility of the Software Technology Parks of India at Electronics City near here, he said the draft policy was in the final stages of preparation. It covered various aspects related to the industry such as fabs, assembly and testing units, photovoltaic cells, flat panel displays and storage devices.

This, along with a comprehensive hardware policy to be announced later, would make Indian electronics and IT manufacturing industry globally competitive and ensure more inflow of investment, including Foreign Direct Investment, into the sector, he added. To a question, Mr Maran said the city had stood out as a shining beacon, exhibiting true corporate culture catalysing rapid growth for the whole of the Indian IT industry. Bangalore, despite its infrastructural hiccups, had made India proud and its software exports contribution had exceeded 37 per cent of the national exports.

About an earlier announcement that the Centre would provide Rs 500 crore to the city for improving its infrastructure, he said he would discuss with the Karnataka Government and initiate measures.

''Bangalore is dear to me and I will definitely come to its rescue,'' he remarked.

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