'$900 mn FDI in telecom'

Union Communications and IT Minister Dayanidhi Maran today said that India was hoping to attract about $900 million (Rs 39,339 crore) investments from global players like Nokia, Alcatel, Motorola and Ericson in 2005-2006, to set up manufacturing facilities in the country.

Talking to reporters about his recent visit to France, Maran said he had conveyed to telecom manufacturers that they could become a "preferred trade partners by expanding operations to India".

"Nokia has announced that it would set up a manufacturing plant as will Alcatel. Motorola too has said they wanted to manufacture the $30 mobiles in India," Maran said.