The government took decisive action by imposing immediate restrictions on the import of laptops, tablets, and personal computers on Thursday, with the primary objective of promoting local manufacturing.
According to the notice shared by the government, these products can now only be imported if a valid license for restricted imports is obtained. “Their import would be allowed against a valid licence for restricted imports,” the notice said.
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‘Make in India’ push
This move aligns with India’s ambitious vision to establish itself as a global manufacturing hub, focusing particularly on the electronics sector. In fact, the government is trying to boost local manufacturing across sectors, ranging from automobiles to technology.
By curbing imports of these devices, the government aims to reduce reliance on foreign markets and encourage the growth of local manufacturing capabilities.
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As a consequence of this policy change, the costs associated with importing laptops, personal computers, and tablets are expected to experience a significant decline.
In the last quarter (April-June), electronics imports, which included these three items, amounted to $19.7 billion, marking a 6.25 per cent increase compared to the previous year.
Industry experts, such as Ali Akhtar Jafri, former director general at the Manufacturers’ Association of Information Technology, believe that this measure demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to promoting indigenous production.
“The move’s spirit is to push manufacturing to India. It’s not a nudge, it’s a push,” he said.
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However, this move may pose challenges for companies like Dell, Acer, Samsung, Panasonic, Apple, Lenovo, and HP.
These firms are major players in the Indian market and heavily rely on imports, particularly from countries like China, to meet consumer demands.
In light of these restrictions, companies without existing local manufacturing facilities in India might need to consider establishing new production units within the country to operate effectively in India.
