Intel eyes sops for manufacturing unit

Intel, which recently announced over 10,000 job cuts worldwide, on Thursday said impact of the layoff decision was "relatively minimal" on its workforce in India, where the world's largest computer chip-maker plans to set up a manufacturing facility.

"The impact of our restructuring initiatives on our 3,000 strong workforce in India is relatively minimal. It constitutes only a small fraction from the total number of 10,500," Craig Barrett, chairman, Intel said.

Asked about setting up a chip manufacturing facility in India, he said, "We are talking to the Indian government but it will depend on the kind of incentives it will provide to us." He, however, refused to comment on the kind of incentives the company was looking for.

India faces competition from China in the manufacturing side, but the country's "skilled and large" workforce is a big advantage, Barrett added.

The Intel chief said the restructuring process involves divesting some of the company's businesses and redeploying some of the employees.

Meanwhile, an Intel spokesperson told PTI that the company remains committed to India and its plans to invest over $1 billion remains in place, but declined to give the break up of the layoffs in India.

The company officials said that its Bangalore centre plays a key role in designing and developing the computing technologies used worldwide.