Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of Republic of South Korea Moon Jae-in inaugurated Samsung’s mobile phone manufacturing facility in Noida at a ceremony held in the industrial city in western Uttar Pradesh.

The two leaders stood side-by-side as they jointly cut the ribbon symbolising the official unveiling of the facility spread over 35 acres making it the world’s biggest mobile manufacturing factory. Before Samsung’s plant in Noida, a factory in Chennai manufacturing Nokia mobile phones in the country was the world’s largest till it shut down on 1 November 2014.

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The two leaders took a tour of the plant and signed Galaxy S9 handsets manufactured by Samsung. The factory will enable the South Korean electronics giant to manufacture 120 million units of mobile phones a year.

Congratulating the Samsung team, PM Modi said that he was proud to visit the mobile phone manufacturing unit with his “friend” President Moon.

“Whenever I talk to business community representatives I always mention one thing that I don’t think there is a middle class home in India where a Korean product is not found,” the PM said.

“’GeM’ means Government e Market, through this, Govt is now directly buying from producers. This is benefiting medium and small entrepreneurs. This has also brought transparency,” he added.

Calling the day very special for the push to make India the manufacturing hub of the world, the PM said that the investment of Rs 5,000 crore will not only strengthen Samsung’s business links with India but also prove to be significant for India-Korea relations.

Underlining the achievements of the digital revolution in the country, the PM said that cheaper phones, faster internet and cheaper data have ensured fast and transparent service delivery.

“Make in India was not just the part of an economic policy, but is a pledge for the relations with our friendly nations such as South Korea,” Modi said.

In his address, the South Korean President said that the facility will help create over 2,000 new jobs which will further create employment in various related sectors in India.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was present with other dignitaries at the inauguration.