Maharashtra bids for Foxconn's iPhone manufacturing unit in state

In a bid to take Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' initiative further, Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis has met Foxconn representatives in a bid to persuade Apple's largest vendor to set up its plant in Maharashtra.

Media reports last week suggested Apple might set up an iPhone plant in India (See:Apple iPhone maker Foxconn looks to set up plant in India: report).

Foxconn is expected to send a delegation of officials to scout for locations in Maharashtra where the company was keen on investing.

Further, domestic mobile phone makers Celkon and Micromax would likely set up their manufacturing facilities in Telangana with Celkon's unit all set to start operations next week with Micromax still in the planning stage.

Foxconn Technology's move to India would cut the cost of production and boost Apple products sales in the world's third largest smartphone market.

''Foxconn is sending a delegation of their officers to scout for locations in Maharashtra. We expect it to visit the state in a month's time,'' state industry minister Subhash Desai told PTI.

Fadnavis said he had had a meeting with Foxconn founder Terry Gou and his team and was happy to learn from Terry that Foxconn was keen on investing in Maharashtra for data centres, mobile phones, tablets, television, etc. He added, a detailed plan on proposed investments in Maharashtra for 2015-2017 was also presented by Foxconn.