Optiemus ties up with Taiwan firm to make smartphones

India-based Optiemus Infracom, a $650-million telecom equipment maker, tied up with Taiwan's Wistron Corporation to set up a facility in India to make smartphones. Over the next five years, the two are expected to invest $200 million in the manufacturing facility in Noida. Optiemus manufactures handsets for HTC.

Ravinder Zutshi, managing director, Optiemus Infracom, said the firm plans to get several global players on board. Asked about his views on the delay in passing of the goods and services Bill, Zutshi told Business Standard: "The GST will have to be passed eventually for the benefit of the country and the industries. In my view, the Centre is stepping up on its efforts to convince the Opposition ahead of winter session and we might see a positive outcome soon."

When questioned about the hindrances still faced by the industries despite the policy measures taken by the Centre, Zutshi was quick to add, "Every state has its own policies and no matter how many reforms the Centre comes up with, it ultimately boils down to the states and their co-operation."

With time, states are realising the need to match up to the expectations of a central agenda and whatever linkages were missing are slowly being taken care of. Optiemus will be setting up the plant in Noida over an area of 100,000 square feet, having an initial capacity of less than one million handsets but will be scaled up later. The first phase of production is expected to start by March.