Expert Comments

Eric Braganza, President (CEAMA)

Appliances and Consumer Electronics (ACE) is on the cusp of a major revolution with focus on encouraging components manufacturing in India. To boost domestic manufacturing, we have put forward our suggestion for the PLI scheme for components of refrigerators, washing machines, LED televisions and small appliances, just as we have the PLI scheme for components for air-conditioners. Television has two levels of GST at 18 per cent and at 28 per cent depending on the screen size, and we have been recommending it to be set at 18 per cent for the entire category. Presently, Air Conditioners attract GST at 28 per cent and as industry association, CEAMA recommends that a lower rate of GST at 18 per cent for energy efficient Air Conditioners.

Sunil Vachani, Vice President – South (CEAMA) & Chairman (Dixon Technologies India)

CEAMA, as the Industry Association, has witnessed the positive externalities like Women empowerment and tremendous employment opportunities, as an outcome of the recent policies launched by The Government of India , which have their focus on domestic manufacturing and making India a global manufacturing hub. The way the industry is in sync with the Government, the manufacturing sector is expected to grow leaps and bounds. The recent trends clearly show how the impetus given to the component manufacturing is proliferating in various parts of the country. Over 111 electronic components are now being manufactured in nearly 15 states; components that did not have any manufacturing base in India 5 years ago.

Jasbir Singh, Vice President - North (CEAMA) & Chairman & CEO (Amber Enterprises India)

It’s a very competitive global market and our ACE industry needs to continue with quality optimisation, while being cost competitive so as to convert this opportunity to build India into a global manufacturing hub. As envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is a viable opportunity today to be able to capture a reliable partner position in the global supply chain market with Made in India products. Working in this direction, we at CEAMA think that there should be a continuous interface with the government, which also should try further to create ease of doing business and ensure that the benefits of strategic initiatives like the PLI percolates down in a time bound and seamless manner to encourage domestic manufacturing.

Anuj Poddar, Vice President - East (CEAMA) & MD & CEO (Bajaj Electricals)

I am grateful to CEAMA for conferring me with the ‘Man of Small Appliances 2022 Award’. While all accolades are gratifying but being recognised by your own industry peers makes this far more special. I’d like to dedicate this to our team at Bajaj Electricals as together we have overcome multiple challenges in our journey. As I always say, this is just the beginning, and we have a lot more to achieve. This award will act as a strong motivation for us to continue to drive value for our consumers, our stakeholders and the industry at large.

Vikas Gupta, Honorary Secretary (CEAMA) & MD – Operations (PG Electroplast)

ACE industry is optimistic and reckon that the next 2-3 years will be a watershed period in ushering India on higher growth and sustainable development path in line with the vision of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav as called out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In addition to boosting the local component manufacturing industry in India, India has also rapidly expanded the reach of broadband, potable water and ensured electrification of villages, which will in times to come emerge into new growth hubs for ACE industry!

Mohit Verma Honorary Treasurer (CEAMA) & MD (C-net Communication India)

ACE industry in line with the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi towards building a truly Atmanirbhar Bharat has made significant inroads into the global supply chain on the back of Government support in terms of PLI to encourage localisation and various other measures to disincentivize imports of components. Components manufacturing has picked up pace in such a manner that many new components are manufactured now in India, which had no base five years ago. CEAMA hopes that 5G roll out will bring in fresh lease of new opportunities for our industry.

Ravi Shankar Chaudhary, Secretary General (CEAMA)

ACE industry is on the robust growth path, catalyzed by the policy interventions from the government departments. Moving ahead, besides broadening the PLI scheme, the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP) should be revived to support the ACE industry. CEAMA also urges the government to create a window of access to strategic overseas markets for the ACE industry, in its various FTAS. Consumers’ preference for smart appliances is creating ample opportunities for our members/ industry. CEAMA, in its forthcoming issue of its in-house magazine “ACE Dialogues”, is bringing out a lot of insights on such meaningful opportunities for the ACE industry..

Atul B. Lall, Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Dixon Technologies India Ltd

CEAMA award is a prestigious recognition from the industry and motivates us to scale new heights. Today, ACE industry has entered a significant phase, where the government has set the stage with policy support like PLI. It’s a tangible opportunity at our hands looking at India's demographic dividend and better performance of the farm sector. But a lot more needs to be done and we should not declare victory before having converted this opportunity into meaningful economic and sustainable development spread across the country.

P K Wilson Purty, Chief of Marketing (Branded Products & Retail) - FP, Tata Steel Limited

We are certain that the CEAMA convention will be a big success and will be an ideal platform where a tangible roadmap for the industry will be charted. The appliance industry needs to draw synergies from the initiatives of Make in India, Digital India Skill India, and Technology infusion, catapulting itself into the universe of mainstream global manufacturing.

Kaushik Sarkar, Vice President- Business Development Aequs SEZ Pvt. Ltd

It's heartening to witness cooperative federalism at work with the push from the Centre and enabling policies in several states working in tandem with focus on promoting the industrial and manufacturing base in the country. Today, the policy environment is conducive to promote India as a global manufacturing hub and a reliable partner in the global supply chain. Here, industrial clusters provide manufacturers with the shortest plan-to-commercial gestation ever and we are determined to work in this direction and offer world class B2B solutions to our clients.