Promote telecom equipment export: Raja

New Delhi, Aug 22: Communication and Information Technology Minister Andimuthu Raja today urged private service providers to promote indigenous equipment in their network and work for an export target of 10 billion dollars during the next 5-6 years in telecom hardware manufacturing.

''An export target of 10 billion dollars has been set for the next 5-6 years. A collaborative effort between all stakeholders will steer us towards this target,'' Mr Raja told reporters here.

To achieve the projected target of 650 million handsets by 2012, there is a need of telecom equipment worth 84 bilion dollars, said Mr Raja while speaking at the Telecom Equipment Manufacturing Association (TEMA) function.

Mr Raja added that this body has projected an indigenous production of the order of 75 billion dollars.

''To make India a hub for telecom equipment manufacturing, we need telecom equipment of the order of 84 billion dollars by 2012 to achieve the target of 650 million subscribers,'' he said.

He assured the manufacturers of all possible support for the purpose. Creation of world-class telecom manufacturing facilities is an important step towards making India a centre for telecom equipment manufacturing, as it has the potential to emerge as a manufacturing hub of international standards, he said.

Mr Raja added the Government has set up a National Manufacturing Competitive Council and Investment Commission for focused attention to manufacturing sector.

UNI