Handset manufacturer Celkon Mobiles is planning to set up its first manufacturing facility in India by 2015. The company is currently in discussion with Telangana and Andhra Pradesh state governments for the same.
The company is of the opinion that manufacturing handsets in India costs 7-8 per cent less than manufacturing in countries, such as China. This is owing to savings on import duties, shipment costs, VAT benefits and income-tax advantages. The company is planning to replicate its China-based design facility in India.
Further, Celkon is planning to increase its international sales from the current 5 per cent of total sales to 15 per cent by end-2014. The company plans to achieve this by venturing into international markets. In 2014, Celkon has ventured into 10 international locations including Kenya, Bostwana, Maldives, Mauritius and Sri Lanka, where it has been offering its feature phones in local languages in these countries.
