DataWind today announced formal launch of its manufacturing facility at GMR Complex of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport here, its second facility in the country.
Telangana IT and Industry Minister KT Rama Rao and Nadir Patel, High Commissioner of Canada, inaugurated the facility.
DataWind had earlier this year, signed an MoU with the Telangana government in this regard.
Rama Rao congratulated DataWind President and CEO Suneet Singh Tuli and his team for setting up the facility in Telangana and employing 600 people.
"Telangana government will provide full support to them to ensure their operations are streamlined and successful. The investment made by DataWind will not only contribute to the revenue of the state but will also be instrumental in generating jobs," Rama Rao said, adding DataWind will be doubling its head-count to 1,000 by March next year.
"We created a mobile manufacturing ecosystem in the state. Telangana State Electronic Manufacturing Policy has been a success and in 6 to 7 months, we have three major manufacturers -- Micromax, Celkon and DataWind -- setting up their units here," he further said.
Telangana, which was ranked 13th last year, has risen to number one position in ease of doing business ranking, he said.
European TV manufacturer Thompson is coming to Telangana in tandem with a local company, he said and urged the High Commissioner to ensure that the Prime Minister of Canada, who is expected to visit India, also visits Telangana.
He also sought help of the High Commissioner to put in a word with Air Canada to connect its services to Hyderabad.
DataWind has set up its Hyderabad facility with a phased investment of Rs 100 crore and the facility will manufacture 2 million units (tablets and smart phones) in the first year, whereas at full capacity it can reach up to 5 million units.
Suneet Singh Tuli said, "By producing state-of-the-art
and most affordable devices in India, we not only wish to supply products that would make Indians proud, but boost 'Skills India' by generating highly skilled employment.
"We expect to continue expanding our dominant position in the tablet market by increasing the range of products which will be manufactured at our newly inaugurated facility in Hyderabad and the other facility in Amritsar," he said.
He also said that the company will be coming out with the full range of products including tablets, mini laptops and smartphones from the unit, which has been functional for the last three months and shipped 2.5 lakh devices.
Tuli claimed that Datawind leads the tab market with a 37 per cent marketshare.
