Foxconn Chairman Pledges To Work With Karnataka Government To Take Forward Proposed Electronics Manufacturing Facility Near Bengaluru Airport

In a letter to Karnataka chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, Taiwanese Hon Hai Precision Industry Co. Ltd. (Foxconn Technology Group) expressed keenness to take forward its proposed electronics production facility in Karnataka.

In a two-page letter to CM Bommai, Foxconn chairman Young Liu said he will "ensure successful grounding of the "Project Elephant" in Bengaluru,"

The letter sought to dispel any confusion triggered by the company’s earlier statement issued on March 4 that the Letter of Intent signed between the company and the State government on March 3 was “not definitive’‘ in nature.

"Project Elephant" is the codeword for the endeavour mounted by the state government to lure Taiwanese manufacturing behemoth to set up electronics manufacturing facility in a 300-acre land close to the Bengaluru Airport.

“My team will be in close contact with your team to take this forward and ensure successful grounding of ‘Project Elephant’ in Bengaluru,’‘  Liu noted in his letter

“I am confident that this project will lay a strong foundation for our other multiple plans, spanning mechanical/precision machinery, electric vehicle, IC design & semiconductor segments to consider your State as a potential investment destination.”

He mentioned IT and BT Minister C.N Ashwath Narayan and Industries Minister Murugesh R Nirani and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma for receiving the Foxconn team and facilitating various meetings and his visits to the T2 of the international airport.

"The efficiency of cargo handling at the airport does have a significant bearing on our operations and metrics as we rely on air freight for our multiple products to a considerable extent." Liu mentioned.

"It was great to note the infrastructure readiness timelines, the Government of Karnataka's support for skilling and talent acquisition and the availability of social infrastructure around the region where the plot is earmarked for the project," the Foxconn chairman said

Karnataka Industries department on Sunday also released a Letter of Intent (LoI), signed by the company's Assistant Vice President Vincent Lee, in which the tech giant shows its intent to set up a manufacturing facility.

The LoI was signed by Foxconn’s India representative and Vice President Vincent Lee and Industries department Principal Secretary Dr S Selvakumar.
In the LoI dated March 3, Foxconn stated that it would like to establish a manufacturing facility in over 300 acres at Information Technology Investment Region (ITIR) Industrial Area, spread spread across Doddaballapur and Devanahalli taluks, on the outskirts of Bengaluru with a proposed creation of over 1 lakh jobs during the five-year period between 2023 and 27.

The LoI further added that the Karnataka government would facilitate the M/s Hon Hoi Technology Group to obtain necessary permissions, regulations, approvals, clearances and incentives from departments concerned.

(With inputs from PTI)