Samsung opens world’s largest mobile phone factory in Noida

South Korean consumer electronics major Samsung on Monday inaugurated the world's largest mobile phone factory here which will double its annual handset production capacity to 120 million units by 2020.

The facility was inaugurated jointly by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and South Korean President Moon Jaein.

The new plant will help the company raise its capacity in a phased manner, from 68 million units at present, to 120 million.

Inaugurating the new facility spread over 129,000 sq metres at Sector 81, Modi said Samsung will export 30 per cent of the handsets made in Noida to other markets.

"India is currently second in terms of phone manufacturing. Out of 120 mobile factories, 50 are in Noida only. Altogether, over 400,000 people are working in those units and Samsung is spearheading this with a workforce of 70,000 people.

"The new facility with give direct jobs to 1,000 people, taking the existing workforce at this plant to 6,000. The best part is that the company will export 30 per cent of the handsets made here to other markets," Modi said. He said the new mobile manufacturing unit will make India-South Korea relations stronger as Samsung's biggest global R&D was already here.

The company also launched ‘Make for the World' initiative, whereby it aims to export mobile handsets produced in India, to overseas markets.

Samsung India CEO HC Hong said: "Our Noida factory, the world's largest mobile factory, is a symbol of Samsung's strong commitment to India, and a shining example of the success of the Government's ‘Make in India' programme. Samsung is a long-term partner of India.”

The company is aligned with government policies and will continue to seek their support to achieve “dream of making India a global export hub for mobile phones”, he said.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath and Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma were present at the event.