Chinese handset maker Gionee is planning to set up a manufacturing facility in India within the next three years, reports BGR India. The company claims it will invest Rs 300 crore to setup this plant, which will manufacture devices for India, the SAARC countries and Nigeria. According to Gionee it has already seen two locations, although they are yet to be finalized by the head of manufacturing who will be visiting in the coming few weeks. The company plans to manufacture entry-level devices at this plant. As of now, it has tied up with the consultancy firm Ernst & Young to advise on partners and potential locations across the country. Currently, India is Gionee’s second largest market behind China, where it claims to have sold over 4 million devices last year. The company mentions it has also earmarked a budget of Rs 225 crore for marketing and advertising in India over the next year. Note that, Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi had also mentioned plans to start making its smartphones in India in November last year. Xiaomi’s VP of International operations Hugo Barra had said then that production in India will likely begin in a year or two. However he didn’t disclose any specific details on where they intend to setup this manufacturing facility. Similarly various smartphone manufacturers have said they will start manufacturing in India or have already started to do so. Manufacturing in India: In January, Spice Group said it would invest Rs 500 crores to set up a manufacturing…
