India’s electronics manufacturing services (EMS) sector is moving swiftly to establish strategic partnerships with Chinese component suppliers as the government prepares to roll out a Rs 25,000 crore electronics component incentive scheme. Industry players such as Dixon Technologies, Micromax, Zetwerk, and Syrma SGS are actively pursuing joint ventures to strengthen domestic production, integrate into global supply chains, and reduce dependence on imports.

With the IT Ministry finalizing the contours of the incentive program, sources suggest the proposal is expected to be sent for Cabinet approval this week.

Government’s Rs 25,000 Crore Push for Electronics Manufacturing

The Indian government is set to introduce an ambitious production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme aimed at boosting the domestic manufacturing of electronic components.

Highlights of the Scheme:

Total Outlay: Rs 25,000 crore, lower than the Rs 40,000 crore initially demanded by the industry.
Targeted Components: Display modules, camera modules, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs), lithium cell enclosures, resistors, capacitors, and ferrites.
Objective: Attract foreign investments, promote local production, and generate jobs in the electronics sector.
Approval Timeline: Expected to be cleared by the Cabinet soon, paving the way for companies to apply for incentives.

Why This Matters:

With India aiming to become a global hub for electronics manufacturing, the incentive scheme is expected to reduce dependency on imports, particularly from China and Taiwan, while integrating India into the global electronics supply chain.

Indian EMS Firms Fast-Track China Partnerships

As government consultations indicate a relaxed stance on China-linked ventures, Indian EMS firms are expediting high-level negotiations with Chinese suppliers. This marks a strategic shift in India’s approach to foreign collaborations in the electronics sector.

Highlights:

Micromax: Actively forming joint ventures with Chinese suppliers to streamline component sourcing.
Dixon Technologies: Entering a joint venture with China’s HKC to manufacture display modules.
Zetwerk: Exploring acquisitions and technology transfers to scale up its electronics business.
Syrma SGS: Open to partnerships but awaiting policy details before committing.

With China’s deep-rooted presence in global electronics value chains, Indian firms recognize that partnerships are crucial to remain competitive.

Micromax’s Long-Term Strategy for Component Manufacturing

Micromax, once a leading Indian smartphone brand, is now focused on developing India’s electronics component ecosystem. The company is in final-stage discussions for multiple joint ventures, particularly in storage modules and memory components.

Micromax Initiatives:

Partnered with Taiwan’s Phison Electronics to manufacture storage modules.
Seeking joint ventures with component suppliers that serve major global smartphone brands.
Focused on bypassing lengthy supplier qualification processes by working with established manufacturers.

Industry Insight:

A senior source at Micromax emphasized that partnerships with Chinese suppliers are unavoidable.
“If these suppliers are from China, we have no choice but to partner with them to remain competitive.”

This highlights a pragmatic approach—leveraging China’s manufacturing expertise while expanding domestic capabilities under the PLI scheme.

Dixon Technologies Gears Up for Display Module Production

Dixon Technologies, India’s largest EMS firm, is set to start producing display modules by Q3 FY25 through its joint venture with China’s HKC.

Dixon’s Key Growth Plans:

Display module production launch: July-September 2025.
New partnerships in the pipeline: Precision components, camera modules, and battery packs.
Exploring a $3 billion display fabrication plant in India, contingent on government subsidies under ISM 2.0.

Atul Lall, Managing Director of Dixon Technologies, highlighted that the component PLI scheme will strengthen the company’s backward integration strategy and create a massive market opportunity.

“We have hired a senior resource and are building a team to execute these projects,” Lall stated during the Q3 earnings call.

Dixon’s expansion aligns with the government’s goal of developing a robust electronics supply chain in India.

Zetwerk and Syrma SGS Explore Expansion Strategies

Two other major EMS firms, Zetwerk and Syrma SGS Technology, are actively seeking new opportunities in the electronics component space.

Zetwerk’s Expansion Plans:

Exploring joint ventures and acquisitions to grow its electronics component business.
Engaging with global component players to scale operations in India.

Josh Foulger, President of Zetwerk Electronics, emphasized that the company is looking to grow inorganically through partnerships with established global manufacturers.

Syrma SGS Weighs Its Options:

Secured a contract from MSI to manufacture laptops in India.
Open to strategic partnerships, but will assess government incentives before making commitments.
MD Jasbir Singh Gujral stated: “Once the policy is announced, we will evaluate it seriously.”

These developments indicate that Indian EMS firms are positioning themselves aggressively to capitalize on the upcoming PLI scheme.

Highlights: India’s Electronics Sector Set for Major Transformation

PLI Scheme Nears Approval: The Rs 25,000 crore electronics component incentive policy is expected to boost domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependency.
Indian Firms Fast-Track China Ties: Major EMS firms are rushing to establish joint ventures with Chinese component suppliers amid government policy shifts.
Micromax and Dixon Lead the Charge: Micromax is building a long-term component ecosystem, while Dixon is set to launch display module production in 2025.
Zetwerk and Syrma SGS Seek Expansion: Both firms are actively engaging in partnerships and acquisitions to scale operations.
China Remains Crucial: Despite geopolitical concerns, Indian firms acknowledge China’s dominance in the global supply chain, making strategic partnerships inevitable.

With Cabinet approval expected soon, India’s electronics manufacturing sector is on the cusp of a major transformation, driven by PLI incentives, global collaborations, and aggressive expansion by EMS firms.