I get on the blower to my old schoolmate the Maharajah of Jam Jarre who has some kind of role in the commercial ministry of the government.
“What’s going on over there, Jammy you old bastard, no sooner do you announce a new chip fab than it gets canned.”
“I thought it wouldn’t be long before you tried to get your mitts in the cookie jar, you old crook Ed, but it’s true we are having difficulty getting our semiconductor projects off the ground.”
“Why’s that then, Jammy?” I ask him.
“Too much money, Ed,” replies the Maharajah, “when billions are being thrown at the thing everyone wants to get in on the deal and they’ll chuck spanners in the works to make sure they get it. So too many difficulties are invented and everything takes too long.”
“Look Jammy I can get you a fab if you can get the dosh from the government,” I tell him.
“Same old Brit game – trying to raid the treasure of India, eh Ed?”
“Just remember where your railways came from,” I tell him, “and your constitution, independent judiciary, professional Civil Service and democracy. Where would you be without us?”
“On my throne, Ed.”
“Yeah whatever. Can you do it, Jammy?”
“How much will it cost?
“Say $4 billion for a 55nm fab for auto ICs of which the government needs to put up at least half plus tax breaks, subsidised water and electricity costs, cost of access roads and site preparation and costs of training technicians. Make it three billion. Can you get it.”
“I might,” replies the Maharajah, “the government is getting pretty desperate.”
“I’ll rustle up my contacts in the chip companies,” I tell him, “I’m fairly sure someone will go for it, and Jammy, don’t forget who put you up for this.”
“Same old Ed,” says the Maharajah, “ I expect you’ll also be getting a bung from the other side.”
“Absolutely old boy.”
