9 Of 11 Apple Component-Makers Shifted Production Units From China to India During Pandemic: Ravi Shankar Prasad 

Union IT and Communications Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said on Thursday (Nov 19) that during the COVID-19 pandemic the government was able to convince Apple to shift nine of their 11 operating units, along with components, from China to India.

Addressing the 23rd edition of the Karnataka’s flagship Bengaluru Tech Summit, Prasad said: “During Covid-19, about 9 of 11 component-makers of Apple have shifted their units from China to India. These huge changes, especially with the Digital India mission, has led to global inclusion with several home-grown elements.”

Drawing the attention of Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, Prasad said "In your city of Bengaluru, the Apple company has started production to manufacture its quality phones for India and also for abroad for exports," he said.

“During the pandemic, we brought out the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Major global and Indian mobile phone manufacturers have now invested close to ₹11,000-lakh crore in India and have committed to manufacture phones worth ₹10.50-lakh crore.” Prasad said.

Pointing out that global manufacturing world was looking towards alternative destinations, Prasad said even during the pandemic the communications sector witnessed a growth of over seven per cent and also received significant investments from major global companies.

Prasad said that out of the nearly Rs 11 lakh crore proposed investment by major global companies in the next five years to manufacture mobiles and components, Rs seven lakh crore would be only for exports.

Bengaluru Tech Summit is being organised by the Karnataka government along with Karnataka Innovation and Technology Society, and Software Technology Parks of India.