India plans to set up more nano manufacturing centres: Anand Sharma

India is looking at setting up more nano manufacturing technology centres as it seeks to give enhanced thrust to value-added output, commerce and industry minister Anand Sharma said today.

He was speaking after laying the foundation stone for an advanced nano technology laboratory, as a part of the nano manufacturing technology centre being established at a cost of Rs120 crore, at the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute (CMTI) here.

Asked if the government planned to set up more such centres, Sharma told reporters, "There will be. I am sure that we will be looking at augmenting because India needs more technology centres."

He also said, "It is required in our country to give more thrust to value-added manufacturing which as of now is on the lower side compared to other developed economies or emerging economies."

The government was very keen that India, through collaboration and on its own efforts, was in a position to manufacture green technologies, Sharma said, adding, the country can become a workshop of the world given its institutional strength and human resources.

The Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Academy of Excellence for Advanced Manufacturing Technology at CMTI, a human resources initiative to produce qualified "job-ready" engineers in advanced manufacturing technologies.

A Rs10 crore advanced machine tool testing facility was also inaugurated at CMTI, an autonomous body which carries out applied R&D and pre-competitive R&D in manufacturing technology.