Nokia's unit inaugurated in Chennai

Finnish cellular handset-maker Nokia's first mobile equipment manufacturing facility in India, and the 10th globally, was inaugurated at Sriperumbudur today.

The facility, which was inaugurated by Finland Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen, would help the mobile giant enhance its presence in South East Asia where it already has two manufacturing units in China and South Korea.

The company, which started its mobile operations in India in 1995, started the production of handsets in the new facility on January 2, 2006 and has clocked a million handsets till date. The factory was completed in a record period of 23 weeks.

"This Nokia factory was built in a record time, which is a perfect example of the good co-operation between Finland and India. Growing co-operation between Finland and India will ultimately benefit both the countries. Such co-operation is a good example of the benefits of globalisation," Vanhanen said after inaugurating the unit.