India's telecom equipment production to be worth Rs 51,800cr in FY09

New Delhi, Nov 20 (UNI) The production of telecom equipment in the country is expected to be worth Rs 51,800 crore by the end of current financial year, the Telecom Equipment Manufacturers Association of India (TEMA) said today.

''The telecom equipment manufacturing in India has achieved the highest ever growth in 2007-08...The production in 2008-09 is expected to cross Rs 50,000 crores and will reach Rs 51,800 crore,'' TEMA President Bharat Bhatia told reporters here.

He said higher production in 2007-08 is mainly on account of increased production of wireless equipment to meet the demands of the cellular operators and consumers.

Mr Bhatia, however, said the growth rate of telecom equipment production is expected to come down from all time high of 71 per cent in 2006-07 to about 27-30 per cent in the current year.

Highest increase has been recorded in wireless equipment manufacturing, including cellular mobile phones where production has gone up from Rs 10,545 crore in 2006-07 to Rs 28,600 crore, posting a 171 per cent growth, he said.

However, he said the expected production from wireless equipment market, including cellular phones is estimated to be Rs 41,650 crore with a growth rate of 46 per cent this year.

this year TEMA, set up in 1990, is the national apex body representing telecom technology providers.

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