UP Tech Next Summit: On possible 'Apple' manufacturing in state, IT Minister Sunil Sharma says 'Talks on with everyone'

UP IT Minister Sunil Sharma

While speaking to Moneycontrol's Managing Director, Dr Nalin Mehta, at the UP Tech Next Summit 2025 on Tuesday, Uttar Pradesh IT Minister Sunil Sharma answered a question on whether the manufacturing of Apple products in the state is in the pipeline.

"Our invitation has been extended to everyone," Sharma said, adding that talks are always "on with everyone". He, however, clarified that no such talks regarding Apple manufacturing have reached him as of now.

He further said that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath himself speaks to the big tech giants. "He is probably the first such Chief Minister who speaks to investors himself," Sharma said during the Summit.

When asked about the reports of Apple starting manufacturing in the state, he said "Not just Apple, talks are on with a lot of investors. When the talks mature, it will be out in the open."

Taking a dig at the former governments in India, Sharma said that from the period of 2004 to 2014, it felt like the "government was paralysed", "They didn't want to do anything, they wanted things to be as they were," he said.

While speaking on semiconductors and opportunities in the area, he said, "When PM Modi came to power, he made sure to pay attention to the smallest of issues. If he speaks about making Tejas fire jets, he also puts the same effort in talking about building toilets in villages."

Highlighting a forward-looking approach, Sharma said that “the Uttar Pradesh you see today is not the Uttar Pradesh of the past,” stressing the administration’s push to establish electronics clusters in every major region.

These hubs, he explained, will play a crucial role in boosting manufacturing capacity, attracting premium investments, and creating a globally competitive technology ecosystem. Although he did not name any particular company planning to enter the state, his comments underlined UP’s preparedness, robust policy framework, and business-friendly atmosphere designed to appeal to top international electronics players.