New Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS): Joining the bandwagon to Make in India, Chinese technology major Huawei on Friday announced to manufacture smartphones in the country in collaboration with leading sketch-to-scale solutions provider Flex.

Starting from the first week of October, the Flex plant in Chennai will manufacture one of the Honor smartphone models from Huawei. The plant will have the capacity to produce three million units by the end of 2017. 

"I would like to congratulate Huawei on their commitment to pursue their ‘Make in India' vision. As India is set to become the second largest smartphone market, our government would like to invite even more businesses to come and manufacture in the country," said Information Technology and Electronics Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad at an event here.

Huawei will strengthen its after sales services in India with over 200 service centres, including more than 30 exclusive Huawei service centres.

Huawei Consumer Business Group will also expand its distribution network by partnering with more than 50,000 retail outlets by the end of this year. 

"This is an opportune time to start manufacturing from India. The smartphone landscape in India is growing every day and such initiatives by technology leaders will help accelerate the growth of local manufacturing industry in India," the minister told the gathering.

"We have been present in India for the last 16 years and as part of our India focus, we have been consistently expanding our footprint in the market. We are convinced about the growth potential and future of India and we'll keep looking for opportunities to increase our presence here," said Jay Chen, CEO, Huawei India.

Huawei has renewed its focus on India working with two brands -- Huawei and Honor.

"Our alliance with Huawei in India is a testament of our commitment towards boosting local manufacturing," added Jeff Reece, Head of Flex Telecom segment.