Intel India still open to set up unit in India

Kolkata,Dec 7 (UNI) Global microprocessor giant Intel is still open to the idea of setting up an Advanced Testing and Manufacturing unit in India and awaiting the government's proposed semiconductor policy, which is expected to offer a host of incentives to the players interested in this sector.

The company would take final decision on it in the first quarter of 2007.

Speaking to the mediapersons here today on the sidelines INFOCOM 2006, Intel Technology India Country Manager Ramammurthy Sivakumar said here today, "We are eagerly waiting on the government's semiconductor policy and we had extensive discussion with the government on this. We are awaiting the final set of rules and regulations and will respond quickly once we get the policy." IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran had recently announced that the IT department would soon seek the Cabinet's approval for a comprehensive policy for encouraging semiconductor industry, including provision of incentives and special packages.

As part of the semiconductor policy,the government could consider providing viability gap funding for setting up semiconductor wafer fabrication units, flat panel displays and other storage devices to give a fillip to the industry.

However, Mr Sivakumar did not commit on the ATM unit, which is exactly not a full-fledged chip manufacturing plant as Intel has in many other countries like US, Israel and Ireland.

Mr Sivakumar said our main concern are basic infrastructure need, site of the factory, global supply chain management and logistics.

''We have set up the factory in Vitenam as those factors were available. We also planning to expand our facility there,'' he added. Intel's arch rival and US chipmaker AMD has also signed up to play a major role in the country's first chip fabrication factory (or fab) worth USD three billion, packed by a consortium of Indian businessmen.

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