Date:13/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/07/13/stories/2005071302000500.htm

Back Intel team coming for talks on unit

Our Bureau

New Delhi , July 12

A TEAM of senior Intel officials from US is likely to visit India this week to hold discussions with the Government on the proposal to set up an Advanced Test Manufacturing facility.

According to Government sources, the team is slated to meet senior officials in the Finance Ministry. Last month, pursuant to his meeting with the Intel Chairman, Dr Craig Barrett, in the US, the Minister for Communications and IT, Mr Dayanidhi Maran, had announced that the chip giant planned to set up a manufacturing facility in India.

"They were earlier considering China and Vietnam, but I have been able to convince them to come to India. They have agreed. The investment for such facility is estimated at about $400 million," Mr Maran had said.

According to him, Intel had shortlisted three locations in India - Chennai, Bangalore and Noida, but was yet to zero in on a final location for the facility that would focus on assembling chips, testing and manufacturing.

During his meeting with Dr Barrett, the Minister had also assured Intel that he would take up issues relating to infrastructure including availability of water and transportation with the State Governments on a priority basis.

Subsequently, however, there were media reports that Intel had frozen its manufacturing plans citing problems with India's intellectual property laws on semiconductors.