Tamil Nadu Government Plans to Revive Nokia Manufacturing Plant

The state hasn’t seen much industrial development in the last few years, but this attempt could kickstart growth.

• The Tamil Nadu government is working to revive Nokia’s cellphone-making plant at Sriperumbudur outside Chennai, reported NDTV. State Governor K Rosaiah spoke about the revival plan in his maiden address in the Tamil Nadu assembly after AIADMK’s second consecutive win.
  
  
• Although Nokia was bought by Microsoft two years ago, the Sriperumbudur facility did not come under the deal due to a pending tax dispute between Nokia and the Income Tax Department. Consequently, Nokia had to shut down the manufacturing plant and around 18,000 people lost their jobs.
  
  
• Experts say Tamil Nadu has not witnessed industrial development in the last few years and this attempt, if successful, could kickstart growth again. However, China has emerged as a cheaper mobile manufacturing destination and experts are not sure if any company will be interested in taking over Nokia’s plant.