Business

Why India is losing out to Vietnam in attracting companies quitting China

Published

3 years ago

2022/10/16

BY S VENKAT NARAYAN
Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, October 15: In 2020, Chinese auto and electronics major BYD, Apple’s largest contract manufacturer of iPads, was looking to shift some of its capacity from China to India. But the move was shelved after geopolitical tensions erupted between the two countries, and India introduced stiff foreign direct investment (FDI) rules for Chinese companies.Now, two years on, BYD has just started rolling out iPads from Vietnam. It has invested $268 million to set up a new factory with a capacity to churn out 4.33 million tablets a year.

Vietnam’s gain is India’s loss. The two Asian countries have been aggressively wooing global companies and their suppliers to shift from China. Growing US-China geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions due to sudden closures of factories to combat Covid-19 have impelled many tech players to explore other investment destinations.

India has grabbed one jewel in the crown — Apple Inc. Its vendor Foxconn recently started assembling the latest iPhone 14 within a few days of its global launch. And if everything goes according to script under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme, India will account for 12 per cent of the global production value of iPhones, which could go up to 20 per cent by FY26.

The PLI scheme, meant primarily to reduce the cost disadvantage between India and Vietnam for making mobiles, offers an incentive of 4-6 per cent on the production value for five years. But sources in the know clarify that Apple Inc is not shifting manufacture of its AirPods to India.All in all, though, Vietnam is way ahead in the game. Apart from grabbing iPads, The New York Times reported that Google is also shifting the assembly of its latest Pixel 7 mobile phones to Vietnam from China. Reports had said India was also in the reckoning.

Hanoi has also bagged Chinese mobile player Xiaomi, which is contract-manufacturing phones with Chinese DBG in Vietnam for exports to Thailand and Malaysia. Microsoft is manufacturing Xbox consoles there. In the non-electronics space, toy maker Lego, which was scouting for a factory to cater to growing Asian demand (it has a factory in China), opted for Vietnam recently where it has committed an investment of $1 billion.

Vietnam’s crowning glory has been Samsung. Since 2008, the Korean chaebol has invested a staggering $19 billion in the country shifting mobile capacity from China. It recently announced an additional $3.3 billion for semiconductors. As much as 50 per cent of its phones are made in Vietnam and 2021 annual exports were $65.5 billion (three times what Apple promised to manufacture in India in FY26).The new battleground for the two countries is in PCs, laptops and tablets as global brands look to hedge against their over-dependence on China: 75 per cent of all laptops are made in that country.

Vietnam’s share in this space might be just 2 per cent (contract-manufacturing for Dell, Amazon and Google, say reports) but it is furiously licensing contract manufacturers to create capacity and become a hub for the world here, too.To this end, Hanoi has signed an agreement with Foxconn recently to invest $300 million to assemble laptops and tablets, and has given permission to Wistron last year to make computers and peripherals. Nikkei reports that Microsoft might start producing its Surface line, including notebooks and desktops computers.

India’s answer to woo laptop (the bulk of which are imported from China), PC and tablet makers has been through a Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for IT products, which has failed to take off. Only around four of the 14 eligible players, domestic and global, have succeeded in meeting their production targets, and they say incentives (an average of 2 per cent) are too low and only for four years.

The electronics ministry is now reworking the plan to cater better to the requirements of global players, who have shown interest in shifting capacity from China if the incentives are attractive enough.Yet the big challenge that India faces — which Vietnam does not — is in setting up a supply chain, which both in mobile and IT products is dominated by Chinese manufacturers. But India’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy has effectively barred them through the automatic approval route, meaning Chinese investment proposals require government scrutiny. Even then, few have been granted permission over the past two years.

For instance, 10 per cent of Apple’s top 200 vendors are based in Vietnam but the bulk of them are from China. In India, Apple has around 12 global suppliers but only three of them are Chinese firms who entered before the FDI restrictions were imposed. As companies like Apple take a big jump in production from this year, higher value addition is possible only if their Chinese vendors are allowed in. India wants value addition upped from 15-20 per cent to 35 per cent in the next four years. Hanoi imposes no such restrictions; locational proximity enhances its attractiveness.

Vietnam has two other key advantages — far lower input tariffs than India, and the ability to leverage its plethora of free trade agreements (FTAs) that allow zero duty entry for exports.A preliminary study being undertaken by global companies points out that average most favoured nation tariffs for mobile phones and its supply chain and selected electronics products for 122 products is at around 9.9 per cent in India compared to 5.7 per cent in Vietnam.

The other problem, say companies, is that unlike Vietnam there is constant fear of differing interpretations and wrong classifications, with the revenue department suddenly raising demands or even accusing global players of round tripping. “There is no pre-consultation and advance authorisation like in Vietnam. Once demands have been made, the only way out is litigation,” said a senior executive of a global electronics company.

Critically, Vietnam has also leveraged its FTAs with over 56 economies that have helped suppress tariff barriers and make it a potential supply chain strategic hub. For instance, its recent FTA with the European Union has lifted tariffs on 85 per cent of Vietnamese goods. India, meanwhile, has abstained from the most consequential of FTAs — the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Of course, India has the advantage of an abundance of skilled labour available at still lower wages. Vietnam’s wage for workers is half of that of China, where rising wages have become a barrier to investment. But India’s worker wages are still a third of that of China, says an executive of a contract manufacturing company. That apart, Vietnam’s much smaller population has a limited number of skilled workers.But most global players say that this one advantage is not enough. Vietnam has much more flexible labour laws that partly neutralise the advantage. Clearly, India will need much more than cheap labour to leverage global corporations’ China Plus-One strategy.

All News Advertisement

Business

New policy framework for stock market deposits seen as a boon for companies

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Eardly Kern: ‘CSE experiencing strong revival

The government’s new policy framework to allocate a maximum interest rate for stock market deposits would pave the way for companies and investors to plan their future business activities, a senior stockbroker said.

‘Accordingly, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) has entered a period of strong revival, supported by economic stabilization and rising investor confidence while significant market reforms would support the new policy framework on interest, Assistant Vice President Softlogic Stockbrokers, Eardly Kern, told The Island Financial Review.

He said that the imposition of maximum interest rates for stock market deposits would prevent the interest rates from moving upwards, thus paving the way for investors to invest in stocks with a lot of confidence.

Kern added: ‘The CSE outlook would provide expanding opportunities for investors as Sri Lanka positions itself for market-led investor platforms.

‘Improving macro fundamentals, such as lower interest rates, rising corporate earnings and historically attractive valuations, have been key catalysts in driving investment into the equities market.

‘These tailwinds, together with ongoing economic reforms, have helped re-establish confidence among both local and foreign investors.

‘Over the past two years, the number of CDS accounts has surpassed 949,000, with digital on-boarding through the CSE mobile app driving the latest surge.

‘Further, foreign inflows for 2024 amounted to USD 66.5 million, while Rs 175 billion was raised through capital market activity, including 16 new listings. With a target of 20 IPOs on the horizon, the CSE anticipates several new companies entering the market by early 2026.

‘The All Share Price Index (ASPI) delivered an impressive 49.7 percent return in 2024, ranking the CSE as the second-best performing market in Asia for the year. By November 2025, the index had risen a further 45.65 percent amounting to an extraordinary two-year return of approximately 95 percent.

‘The S&P SL20 Index recorded a parallel recovery, gaining 58.5 percent in 2024 and 31.84 percent so far in 2025.

‘ Despite the rally, the CSE continues to trade below its 10-year average PER and valuations remain significantly more attractive than in regional markets, such as, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, and China.

‘ Turnover has surged to Rs 1.06 trillion in 2025 (as of mid-November), nearly doubling the figure recorded in 2024. Market capitalization grew 34 percent n 2024, despite only around 40,000 active investors capturing most of the gains—highlighting the potential for broader participation.

‘ Corporate earnings have also strengthened markedly. After generating Rs 686 billion in earnings during 2024—a 50% year-on-year increase—listed entities are projected to deliver between Rs 775–800 billion in 2025. Earnings for the first half of 2025 have already grown 57 percent year-on-year.’

By Hiran H Senewiratne

Business

Dialog reinforces commitment to heritage through Kelaniya Duruthu Festival

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dialog Axiata PLC, Sri Lanka’s #1 connectivity provider, has reinforced its enduring commitment to preserving national culture by sponsoring the Kelaniya Duruthu Festival, aligning long standing patronage with purposeful community engagement to honour religious heritage, support cultural continuity, and strengthen shared values.

The annual Kelaniya Duruthu Festival, one of Sri Lanka’s most significant religious and cultural observances, was held on 8th, 9th and 11th January 2026, marking a congregation of thousands of devotees and visitors at the historic Kelaniya Raja Maha Vihara. As a long-term patron, Dialog continues to provide sponsorship support, enabling the seamless organisation of the festival while uplifting traditions deeply rooted in the nation’s cultural identity.

Through its continued support of the Kelaniya Duruthu Festival, Dialog underscores its role as a responsible corporate citizen dedicated to safeguarding Sri Lanka’s cultural and religious heritage for future generations. This commitment is further reflected in Dialog’s long-term patronage of national events such as the Kandy Esala Perahara, Nawam Maha Perahara at Gangaramaya, Katharagama Esala Perahara and Gatabaru Esala Perahara. Complementing these efforts, Dialog has also undertaken heritage preservation initiatives including the construction of the vestibule at Dimbulagala Aranya Senasanaya, the launch of a website and directory of Amarapura Maha Nikaya Temples, and the restoration of the Anuradhapura Maha Vihara Sannipatha Shalawa.

Business

Sri Lanka launches its first-ever Smart Bus Ticketing System

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Advancing public transport with digital bus ticketing — CBA, in partnership with SLTB and Nimbus Venture.

A National Breakthrough in Public Transport Digitalization Powered by Ceylon Business Appliances with Nimbus Ventures.

Sri Lanka has taken a historic step forward with the launch of its first Smart Bus Ticketing System, enabling passengers to pay fares using contactless cards, digital wallets, and QR payments. This advancement places the country among global leaders in smart mobility.

The initiative was made possible through collaboration with the Government of Sri Lanka, leading banking partners, and the technology leadership of Ceylon Business Appliances (CBA) and Nimbus Ventures, who serve as the Technology, Software, Hardware, and Operational Partners behind the nation’s first Open Loop Transit Payment System.

For decades, CBA has been at the forefront of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation efforts—bringing modern, global-standard technologies that have strengthened the nation’s digital infrastructure.

Speaking to the media at the launch, Sardha Fernando, Managing Director of CBA, stated:

“This is not just a ticketing upgrade—it is a complete digital evolution of public transport in Sri Lanka. For years, CBA has been committed to introducing advanced technologies to the country, and today, we are proud to bring a globally recognized, secure, and seamless smart transit solution to our people. With every tap, we are enabling convenience, transparency, and a more connected future for all Sri Lankans.”

He added:

“This milestone reflects our ongoing mission: to help build a digitally empowered Sri Lanka that is ready to embrace the technologies shaping the world.”

‘Ruwath Fernando, CEO/Director of CBA, highlighted:

“This project demonstrates that Sri Lanka is ready to adopt and operate on par with global smart mobility technologies. Our commitment has always been to bring the world’s best software systems and innovations into Sri Lanka—solutions that are secure, scalable, and built to international standards.”

He continued:

“By introducing a state-of-the-art open-loop transit payment platform, we are proving that Sri Lanka can not only embrace but also successfully operate advanced digital ecosystems. This is a defining moment in positioning the country as a technology-proof nation prepared to trial and adopt global digital advancements.”

CBA extends heartfelt congratulations to the banking partners who trusted this vision—

Sampath Bank, Commercial Bank, Bank of Ceylon, People’s Bank, and DFCC Bank— on the successful launch of their new ticketing application.

This application integrates seamlessly with the PAX A910S ticketing device, powered by a robust CBA– Nimbus ventures software solution, engineered for scale, reliability, and national deployment..