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Time of India
9 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
The dragon's shadow still looms over Make in India
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A win on toys, but with caveats Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Smartphones: Assembled in India, made in China Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The wider web of dependence Silicon wafers: $151.6 million in imports; 96.8% from China Flat panel displays: $1.06 billion; 86% from China Computer monitors: $376.5 million; 66.8% from China Printed circuit boards (PCBs): $612.2 million; 37% from China Memory chips: $1.75 billion; 40.5% from China Microprocessors: $1.65 billion; 38.2% from China Laptops and tablets: $4.45 billion; 80.5% from China Solar cells: $1.36 billion; 82.7% from China Solar panels: $1.7 billion; 78.9% from China Lithium-ion batteries: $2.26 billion; 75.2% from China Erythromycin: $166.3 million; 97.7% from China Overall antibiotic imports: 88.1% from China Embroidery machinery: $351.7 million; 91.4% from China Aluminium foil (rolled): $261.2 million; 82.8% from China Aluminium plates: $265.4 million; 91.6% from China Safety glass: $547.1 million; 84.8% from China Battery chargers: $117.3 million; 68.2% from China Electric inverters: $200.5 million; 72.3% from China UPS/Inverter systems: $641.7 million; 49.9% from China Trade numbers tell the story So, can India decouple? The paradox of self-reliance India wants to be a global manufacturing powerhouse. The Make in India campaign and a raft of Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes are designed to drive that ambition, boosting local industry, cutting import dependence, and turning the country into an export here's the problem: while the talk is all about self-reliance, the supply chains still run largely through start with a rare success. India's crackdown on toy imports, especially from China, has been one of the few bright spots in its import substitution FY2019 and FY2024, toy imports fell nearly 80%, from $304 million to $64.9 million, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI).Imports from China alone dropped from around $263 million to just over $41 million. India raised customs duties from 20% to 70%, mandated BIS certification, and responded to a 2019 QCI report on safety the 16th Toy Biz Expo, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal called this a textbook example of how assertive policy, standards enforcement, and cluster development can shift an industry."India's toy industry, once heavily dependent on imports, is now manufacturing domestically and exporting to 153 countries,' he the win isn't complete. India's toy exports actually dipped in FY2024, to $152.3 million from $153.9 million the previous while fewer finished toys are coming from China, most components, LEDs, circuit boards, plastics, packaging, still are. Domestic polymers remain around 10% more expensive, undercutting local competitiveness, as per Polymerupdate in July are another area where India is surging. In FY2025, the country exported $24.1 billion worth, up 55% year-on-year. It's now the world's second-largest mobile phone producer, according to the Department of dig deeper, and the Chinese footprint is hard to ignore. India imported $259.7 million worth of finished smartphones, with 58.8% of them coming from China. More significantly, $7.15 billion worth of smartphone components were imported, 51.7% from China, as per top of that, smartphone parts alone accounted for $763.8 million in imports, with 55.4% of those from India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) has warned that Chinese delays in shipments and technician visas could derail India's ambitious $32 billion export target for FY2026.'Export-linked manufacturing to the tune of $24 billion in FY25, projected to cross $32 billion in FY26, has now come under serious risk,' the ICEA said in a letter reviewed by The Economic Indian firms are still striking deals with Chinese Technologies holds majority stakes in Kunshan Q Tech Microelectronics (India) and Chongqing Yuhai these joint ventures are under scrutiny due to Press Note 3 rules (requiring approval for investments from countries sharing a land border), Dixon's majority control may help it navigate the bigger issue is that while Apple, Samsung, and Xiaomi (via Foxconn and Wistron) now assemble in India, most core components, chipsets, displays, camera modules, batteries, are still out, and China's hold only tightens. In electronics and semiconductors, India's exposure runs deep:In consumer electronics:In renewable energy:In pharmaceuticals:In industrial and power equipment:In June 2025, Chinese battery giant CATL reportedly ordered all its engineers to withdraw from Foxconn's Chennai move disrupted timelines and stalled India's EV and electronics supply chain has also told Chinese-origin workers employed in Indian or Taiwanese firms to return, cutting off tech transfer and workforce founder Ajay Srivastava summed it up: "China's actions may be signalling to avoid any conditions in the FTA that discourage the use of Chinese-origin components in exports to the US. China's message is blunt: India's industrial growth remains dangerously exposed to Chinese inputs, and any attempt to 'de-risk' supply chains will carry short-term pain."India's trade deficit with China has hit a record high,$99.2 billion in FY2025. Imports were $113.4 billion; exports just $14.2 billion, according to trade data released by the Commerce gives India only an 11.2% share in bilateral trade, down sharply from 40% two decades just as India tries to expand in semiconductors, EVs, and solar, China is tightening its grip on gallium, germanium, and graphite, all essential for these industries. In July 2025, India's battery sector was hit by new Chinese restrictions on graphite exports."The pressure mounted further in June 2025, when Chinese battery giant CATL reportedly directed Foxconn to withdraw all Chinese engineers from its manufacturing unit near Chennai. The move disrupted timelines and coordination at a crucial time for India's electronics and EV supply chain buildout," GTRI Founder Ajay Srivastava anytime India's Union Cabinet has approved a PLI scheme worth ₹22,919 crore for the manufacturing of electronic components in April 2025 to localise electronic components, aiming to create 91,000 new Micron-backed $2.75 billion semiconductor fab in Gujarat also shows shifting from Chinese to Japanese or Korean suppliers can be up to 4x more expensive. And India still faces its own legacy hurdles: uneven infrastructure, skill shortages, and red the contradiction at the heart of it all: as India pushes harder to manufacture, it ends up importing more from China, not less. Assembly is happening in India, but the guts, the brains and the bones, still come from substitution has worked in a few areas like toys, but high-tech and capital goods remain dependent on Chinese supply chains. India is still a long way from ambition is real. But until India builds its own supply chain from the ground up, Make in India will remain a label, stitched on with Chinese thread.
Business Upturn
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Upturn
Quick Custom Intelligence Unveils One Big Beautiful Bill ‑Optimized Win/Loss Toolkit – A Simple Path Through the 90% Cap
SAN DIEGO, July 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) today announced the release of its trade secret protected BBB‑Optimized Win/Loss toolkit, a new package available across QCI Host®, QCI Marketing®, and QCI Player™ that helps casinos and their patrons navigate the upcoming 90% wagering‑loss cap contained in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.' (BBB). Built With Gaming‑Tax Experts Advertisement Working hand‑in‑hand with nationally recognized gaming advisors, QCI has engineered a turnkey toolkit that will ensure that more than 99% of players experience zero to minimal tax impact—from penny‑slot enthusiasts to high‑limit table gamers. 'Our customers asked how to keep their players engaged once the BBB Act takes effect. We worked through the long weekend and delivered a compliance‑ready answer that puts actionable information in both the patron's and the accountant's hands—while keeping our intellectual property secure,' said Andrew Cardno, Co‑Founder & CTO of QCI. Key Features Proprietary Tax‑Optimization Engine – Automatically aggregates each player's activity using QCI's confidential methodology, delivering precise win/loss figures compliant with BBB requirements. 90%‑Cap Readiness Dashboard – Highlights any year‑to‑date gain total that exceeds 90% of losses, flagging potential 'phantom‑income' exposure before tax filing day, and suggests remedial actions that are available to the player. One‑Click CPA Export – Generates a clean PDF/CSV packet suitable for Form 1040 attachment—eliminating the need for manual spreadsheets. Rapid Roll‑Out – Delivered as a standard content pack; no schema changes, no downtime. Availability The BBB‑Optimized Win/Loss toolkit is shipping today to all cloud and on‑prem customers running AGI55 or later. Operators can enable it in hours via routine configuration. Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) builds award‑winning operational, marketing, and player‑development tooling for the global gaming industry. ABOUT QCI Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI's data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at ABOUT Andrew Cardno Andrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master's level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew's innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today's mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, a lifetime achievement award and, three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew's impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring twelve influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew's work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Operators, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors. Contact: Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence Phone: 858-349-8354 Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same.
New Indian Express
06-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Transparency saves Rs 63.80 crore in Vidyarthi Mitra
VIJAYAWADA: The State government has saved Rs 63.80 crore through transparent tendering and three-tier quality check system in implementing the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra (SRKVM) student kit scheme for the academic year 2025-26. At the initiative of HRD Minister Nara Lokesh, for the first time in the State, the Quality Council of India (QCI) was brought on board to monitor and certify the quality of each item under the Vidyarthi Mitra scheme. The inspection was carried out at three phases, which included verification of raw material, monitoring during production, and final inspection of finished products before dispatch to schools. The government had floated tenders worth Rs 676.15 crore (ECV), and received bids for Rs 612.35 crore, resulting in a saving of Rs 63.80 crore. The entire process was conducted through the AP e-procurement platform to ensure transparency and competition. To create awareness among beneficiaries about the quality of kits, 'Quality Walls' were set up at mandal stock points displaying all items. Students, parents, and teachers could directly inspect the kits, and provide feedback. Under the Vidyarthi Mitra, 35.94 lakh students from Class 1 to 10 in government and aided schools are receiving kits worth Rs 2,279 each. The total allocation for the scheme stood at Rs 953.71 crore. Of the total sum, the State's spending was Rs 778.68 crore, while the Centre's contribution was Rs 175.03 crore.
Hans India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
35 lakh school students to receive ‘Vidyarthi Mitra' kits
Vijayawada: The state government has undertaken an extensive exercise of distributing student kits called 'Vidyarthi Mitra kits' at a cost of Rs 953 crore to over 35 lakh students. To ensure the highest standards of quality, all materials provided to students have undergone a rigorous three-layer quality check by the Quality Council of India (QCI) before distribution. For the first time, the state has partnered with the QCI to conduct three-stage quality checks, covering raw materials, final production and packaging. Only those products that passed all stages were dispatched to schools. To ensure transparency, 'Quality Walls' have been set up at mandal stock points to test and display the kit items. Government school students across the state are stepping into the new academic year with pride and confidence, thanks to the distribution of the Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan Vidyarthi Mitra kits. Spearheaded by education minister Nara Lokesh, the initiative has brought a fresh look to classrooms, along with renewed energy and enthusiasm among students. Designed to ensure an equal start for every student, the kits include uniforms, shoes, belts, socks, school bags, textbooks, notebooks, workbooks, and Oxford dictionaries — all of high quality and presented in attractive, student-friendly colors. Significantly, this is the first time that government-provided kits are free from political branding. The kits have been renamed after India's second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Under the previous YSRCP government, the kits were branded as Jagananna Vidya Kanuka and featured images of the then chief minister. This was widely criticised for exposing schoolchildren to political influence and using government material to do political publicity. This year, the government has distributed these kits to over 35.94 lakh students from Classes 1 to 10 across government and aided schools. With a total budget of Rs 953.71 crore — Rs 778.68 crore from the state and Rs 175.03 crore from the Centre — each kit is valued at approximately 2,279. The government has also borne the stitching charges — Rs 120 for Classes 1–8 and Rs 240 for Classes 9–10 — ensuring uniforms are ready to wear. As part of the initiative each student received three sets of uniform cloth in new colours (olive green pants/gowns and light yellow-green striped shirts), one pair of shoes, two pairs of socks, a belt, and a school bag, textbooks, workbooks, and notebooks, an Oxford English-English-Telugu dictionary for Class 6 students, pictorial dictionaries for Class 1 students and dictionaries in regional/minority languages like Urdu, Tamil, and Odia where needed With transparent online tenders through the e-procurement system, the government saved Rs 63.80 crore compared to previous years.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Earth Casino Chooses QCI Chatalytics to Enhance Casino Operations with Integrated AI Solutions
SAN DIEGO, June 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Earth Casino has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence's (QCI) Chatalytics platform to revolutionize its casino operations and elevate guest engagement. This AI-powered suite—which includes Slot Copilot, Player Copilot, the Dashboard, and the Robot Button—leverages OpenAI technology to deliver real-time intelligence and streamline decision-making across the gaming floor. Built to enhance both slot performance and player service, QCI Chatalytics offers a powerful blend of automation and data analytics. Slot Copilot enables real-time slot machine monitoring, predictive performance analytics, and intelligent task assignment. Player Copilot uses behavioral insights to support personalized guest engagement strategies and optimize rewards. The Dashboard provides an intuitive, real-time view of key operational metrics, while the Robot Button automates routine actions—freeing up staff to focus on high-impact guest interactions. 'At Red Earth Casino, we are committed to the strategic adoption of AI across our operations,' said Larry Resick, Marketing Manager for Red Earth Casino. 'Our collaboration with QCI Chatalytics is one example of how we're embracing advanced AI platforms. By integrating this technology alongside several other AI-driven solutions, we're building a forward-thinking environment that supports smarter decision-making.' Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration: 'We're proud to bring Chatalytics to Red Earth Casino. By integrating OpenAI's advanced models into our platform, we're empowering casino operators with instant insights, intelligent automation, and unprecedented visibility into floor operations. This partnership marks a new era of AI-driven excellence in gaming.' The QCI Chatalytics suite is part of QCI's commitment to delivering transformative, AI-enabled solutions that drive operational impact and improve the player experience throughout the gaming industry. ABOUT Red Earth CasinoRed Earth Casino, located between Indio and Brawley on Highway 86, is known as the friendliest & cleanest casino in the valley. With over 400 slots, we've got everything to make Red Earth Casino a gamers' Jackpot paradise. ABOUT QCIQuick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI's data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at ABOUT Andrew CardnoAndrew Cardno is a distinguished figure in the realm of artificial intelligence and data plumbing. With over two decades spearheading private Ph.D. and master's level research teams, his expertise has made significant waves in data tooling. Andrew's innate ability to innovate has led him to devise numerous pioneering visualization methods. Of these, the most notable is the deep zoom image format, a groundbreaking innovation that has since become a cornerstone in the majority of today's mapping tools. His leadership acumen has earned him two coveted Smithsonian Laureates, and teams under his mentorship have clinched 40 industry awards, including three pivotal gaming industry transformation awards. Together with Dr. Ralph Thomas, the duo co-founded Quick Custom Intelligence, amplifying their collaborative innovative capacities. A testament to his inventive prowess, Andrew boasts over 150 patent applications. Across various industries—be it telecommunications with Telstra Australia, retail with giants like Walmart and Best Buy, or the medical sector with esteemed institutions like City Of Hope and UCSD—Andrew's impact is deeply felt. He has enriched the literature with insights, co-authoring eight influential books with Dr. Thomas and contributing to over 100 industry publications. An advocate for community and diversity, Andrew's work has touched over 100 Native American Tribal Resorts, underscoring his expansive and inclusive professional endeavors. Contact:Laurel Kay, Quick Custom IntelligencePhone: 858-349-8354
