FAST-GROWING Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi Inc. was expected to unveil its first phone to be manufactured in India yesterday, as it looks to expand aggressively in the world’s third-largest smartphone market amid slowing growth in China.

    “We will be launching Xiaomi’s first India manufactured phone tomorrow in Vishakhapatnam,” N. Chandrababu Naidu, chief minister of southern Andhra Pradesh state, said late Sunday. A Xiaomi media event in Visakhapatnam is scheduled later yesterday.

    The Indian market, which Xiaomi entered in July last year, has fast become its largest market after China as the company’s low-priced, feature-rich phones find favor with young and cost-conscious customers.

    As Xiaomi battles slowing sales in China, emerging markets such as India and Brazil, where it began manufacturing in late June, have becoming increasingly important for the company.

    Last month, it reported its first ever drop in half-year sales, throwing its full-year sales goal of 80 million smartphones into doubt.(SD-Agencies)