Page 79 - July-August 2020

INDIA AS A MANUFACTURING bulk that meet buyers’ standards global standards but also have the
HUB in terms of quality and price. India infrastructure and capacity to churn
should seize this opportunity to offer out large volumes. While there are
China is the world’s biggest a good alternative for other countries Indian companies that meet the
manufacturing region on which most in addition to meeting the demands mark, there’s still scope for more.
countries are currently dependent. of its home market, thereby reducing
Today, however, many are looking imports. As some other South East Looking behind finished products,
for alternatives. While developing Asian nations too are looking to offer at present, 90 per cent of raw
these could take time, countries with the world alternative manufacturing materials and technology used in
ambitions to offer other options bases, India needs to step up. the eyewear industry are imported.
should act fast. Efforts must be made to replace
OPPORTUNITY FOR THE these with domestic options, and at
India has recently put curbs on INDIAN OPTICAL INDUSTRY the earliest, so that the dependence
Chinese technology investments on imports is reduced to a minimum.
and banned mobile apps with There was a time when even
links to major Chinese companies. good quality Indian products had a Manufacturing facilities and
However, doing away with imports limited demand in the export market infrastructure need to be created on a
from China or elsewhere is not due to not quite cutting the mark in massive scale to offer large volumes
practical unless we have better terms of finish and packaging. This with synchronised expansion of the
alternatives in place. There is an has changed in recent years. Indian raw material and ancillary industries.
urgent need for more production companies have realised how crucial This will enable India to not only
facilities, the latest technology and it is to upgrade technologies, skills meet the local demand but also cater
upskilling of manpower along with and manufacturing processes to to other countries worldwide.
attitudinal changes to take pride in offer consistent, fine quality that can India should seize the moment
producing quality products. India compete globally. and offer a good alternative for
has the numbers in terms of a young Since eyewear is an essential the manufacture of quality optical
demographic but they do need to be commodity, the demand for which products. The government’s support
better skilled for their own economic is growing, this is an opportune by setting up special manufacturing
progress and to be assets in all areas time for entrepreneurs to set up zones with incentives such as
of the country’s growth, including manufacturing in the country to subsidised land rates, tax breaks,
manufacturing. replace the current large-scale attractive loan rates, help with
imports. skilling, etc., are the need of the hour.
To compete, new manufacturing
destinations should also have the Manufacturers of optical products
infrastructure to offer products in should not only match the best

JULY-AUG 2020 | 75 Make In India