Karnataka Semicon Policy Presents Opportunities for Green Electronics Makers

Pradeep Chakraborty

It has really been a busy month for me, given that a lot of activities have been happening in India alone, not to speak of the other parts of the world. Well, this is great, as it is a fine indicator of the excellent health that the global technology industry currently finds itself in.

Early this month, the Indian state of Karnataka announced its much-awaited semiconductor policy. Some of the highlights are listed below:

* To encourage setting up of semiconductor units in tier-2 cities, other than Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli, an incentive of investment-promotion-subsidy would be provided in accordance with the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2009-2014.

* Govt. of Karnataka would provide financial assistance to firms for filing IP in accordance with the incentives provided in the industrial policy.

* Govt. of Karnataka will provide assistance of 50 percent of the total cost toward purchase of proposed equipment for augmenting the Orchid Tech Space in the STPI to a Characterization Lab. The remaining funds would come from the industry or mobilized through PPP business model. This lab will be a one-stop solution for high-tech facilities and will spur growth of R&D in future technology without financial burden to budding entrepreneurs.

* ATMP (assembling, testing, marking and packaging) units will be encouraged with special incentives in the proposed ITIR near BIAL (Bangalore International Airport), Bangalore.

* Govt. of Karnataka would provide all encouragement and assistance to the solar PV manufacturing units under the Karnataka Renewable Energy Policy.

* Karnataka Power Corp. and Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. would take steps to develop solar farms on joint ventures/PPP mode in Bijapur, Gulbarga, Raichur and Bellary districts.

* Fiscal incentives would be provided to semiconductor units as per the Karnataka Industrial Policy 2009-2014.

Readers, please note that I have listed some of the highlights, especially those relevant to readers of photonics.com! As evident, there is a clear focus on green electronics and solar photovoltaics, as also on setting up ecosystem units for the manufacture of LCDs, OLEDs and other emerging technologies. It would be interesting to see new makers of LEDs, OLEDs, etc., enter the country.

In fact, I've been regularly contacted by some investors/industry colleagues, who generally want to know more about government incentives, doing business in India, etc. Certainly, as I've pointed out several times in the past, this is just the right time for makers of LEDs, big and small, and especially in the US, to head for India!

In case, anyone is interested in setting up some manufacturing or R&D units in India, please get in touch with me. I shall point you to the right people who can help you take your projects forward.