BIZ

Google to make Pixel phones & drones in India

Published

1 year ago

May 24, 2024

nipuni

Tech giant Google will soon begin making its Pixel smartphones in India, sources aware of the development have told the BBC.

Google is set to manufacture the phones at an existing Foxconn facility in the southern state of Tamil Nadu.

The firm is also set to independently manufacture drones in the state.

India has emerged as a key destination for global firms looking to diversify supply lines outside China in the midst of geopolitical tensions with the West.

Last year, Google had announced plans to make Pixel smartphones in India, beginning with the Pixel 8.

“India is a priority market for Pixel smartphones, and we’re committed to bringing the best of our hardware and underlying built-in software capabilities to people across the country,” it said in a blog post.

On Friday, sources told the BBC that Alphabet’s Google would make advanced versions of Pixel smartphones at the Tamil Nadu facility and that manufacturing would begin within this calendar year.

Google and Foxconn have signed a contract to this end, the source said.

Foxconn currently has two facilities in Tamil Nadu. At one of its facilities near Chennai city, it assembles Apple’s iPhones.

Google’s decision to make Pixel phones in Tamil Nadu came after state officials met company executives recently.

According to a statement from the Tamil Nadu government, officials from Google are also set to meet state Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai soon.

(BBC News)

BIZ

1st stock of imported coconut milk to undergo clearance, lab testing today

Published

1 day ago

May 31, 2025

editor

The first consignment of imported coconut milk under the Government’s raw material importation programme is scheduled to undergo clearance and laboratory testing today (31), as part of a coordinated initiative by the Plantation Industries Ministry.

This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, aims to supply essential raw materials to industries linked to the coconut sector, aiming to reduce domestic coconut prices and support local manufacturers. The consignment currently under clearance includes products equivalent to 200 million coconuts. They are in the forms of frozen coconut milk, coconut milk powder and chunked coconut with testa (non-copra), imported as part of the programme initiated in March 2025. The stock will be used primarily in the coconut milk powder industry, which has been facing raw material shortages. The Plantation Industries Ministry expects this move to reduce the pressure on local coconut supplies and contribute to a drop in retail coconut prices.

(dailynews.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailynews.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

BIZ

BoC employees to strike over unpaid incentives

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

editor

Employees of all Bank of Ceylon (BoC) branches have decided to walk out of service at 12.30 pm today (May 29).

The decision has been taken over the current management not taking the initiative to provide them with the 06-month incentive package approved by the Board of Directors, according to the Bank Employees’ Union.

Central Committee member of the Bank Employees’ Union – Najith Wijeratne, stated that they will initiate a token strike if this issue is not resolved by June 06.

BoC employees have also held lunchtime protests yesterday (May 28) in front of 22 branches in major cities islandwide.

BIZ

Imported salt released to market

Published

3 days ago

May 29, 2025

editor

The National Salt Ltd. says that 2,800 MT of salt imported from India have been released to the market.

It says the food-grade salt stock, which arrived on May 23, is being distributed to the market through local salt sales agents for consumer sale.

The Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development states that Lanka Salt Ltd. is importing 10,000 MT of salt, while over 100 importers, including those from Pettah, are bringing in an additional 100,000 MT.