Three Indian government officials said India is planning to arrange air shipments of components from China to support its growing electronics industry. Currently, India is actively taking steps to curb the effects of the new coronavirus epidemic, according to Sina Tech.
Two of the officials said that the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology had asked the electronics and smartphone industry lobbying groups to draft a list of parts made in China and then arrange for airlift from China.
At present, Chinese factories are gradually resuming production, but it will take time to get it into the hands of customers.
Electronics manufacturing, especially the assembly of smartphones, is a bright spot in India's sluggish economy, but the country still relies heavily on China for components such as camera modules and displays.
According to industry sources, India's emergency air transport plan highlights the interconnectedness of the global supply chain and India's continued dependence on China for some key products, although some manufacturers have already started building factories in India.
In addition to electronic product parts, other Indian industries are also considering air parts shipments from China. According to people familiar with the matter, the Indian Automobile Parts Manufacturers Association (ACMAI) has contacted its members to assess which parts are in short supply and are likely to be shipped by air.
Currently, the Indian automotive industry relies heavily on China for components such as electronic components, pressure sensors and fuel injectors.
One government source said that the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology is approaching airlines for electronics and smartphone parts. The official said that air parts from Guangzhou and Shanghai, China, were one option. The people familiar with the matter did not say when the airlift might begin.
Data show that China is India's largest trading partner, but India ’s imports from China in February contracted to their lowest level in almost four years.
It is reported that so far, Indian smartphone manufacturers have basically survived the virus crisis, partly because they have accumulated stocks of Chinese-made parts, which were originally used to deal with the Chinese New Year holiday.
But soon these stocks will run out. S.N.Rai, co-founder of Lava, a local Indian smartphone maker, said: "March 10 to March 20 will be very difficult. In the absence of supply, we may have to cut three shifts eight hours a day One or two shifts. "
According to two industry sources, the Indian subsidiary of foundry maker Wistron and Flex, through an industry agency, requested the government to help obtain components, including camera modules and displays, from China.
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