We have lot of EMS companies with huge SMT lines. SMT machines solder components on bare PCBs. So basically we have more EMS companies than bare PCB manufacturers. Recently Govt offered PLIs for laptop , tablet etc. These are pre-designed PCBs and factories already manufacturing PCBs would be much more efficient Vs new PCB manufacturer. PCB manufacturing has it own share of challenges hence it is not possible for new player to start manufacturing. PCB manufacturers want higher duty so that people buy from them, however due to less PCB manufacturing capacity they are not keeping pace with EMS demand. Most of bare PCBs are still getting imported form China. Once India PCB manufacturers have enough expertise and capacity then increasing duty makes sense until them they need to keep a balance. Please remember, bare PCBs are each gadget is different and requires different level of competence. As Govt pushes more and more value add benefits we would shift to PCB manufacturing slowly and we would see scale. Few good EMS companies has already started building capability and it would all be fine in medium term.
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