Karnataka is the first Indian state that has announced an aerospace policy.
By Sreekanth A Nair
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has invited US aviation companies to invest in Aviation sector of the state.
Speaking at the US-India Aviation Summit in Bangalore, he said, “We would be delighted to welcome investors to the state for utilizing the opportunity in aerospace sector and be part of ‘Make in Karnataka’.â€
“Karnataka has a high potential for aerospace industries due to its strength and advantages like relatively low-cost aerospace manufacturing, presence of defense public sector undertakings, research and development agencies, expertise in aerospace with number of small and medium enterprises, which execute the work for the defense PSUsâ€, Siddaramaiah said.
A number of state-run organizations such as Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited, Gas Turbine Research Establishment, National Aerospace Laboratories, Defense Research and Development Organization, Aeronautical Development Agency, Aeronautical Development Establishment, Indian Space Research Organization and Indian Institute of Science are operating from Karnataka, which makes it a leading state in the aerospace sector.
The state capital Bangalore is considered as the aerospace hub of India. The aerospace investment in Bangalore accounts for more than 65 per cent of the country’s total investment in the sector.
International players such as Engineering Architecture and Design Services (EADS), BOEING, AIRBUS, HCL, HONEYWELL and UTC Aerospace also have their presence in the city.
Siddharamaiha said that the state government had taken a number of initiatives for the development of Industrial Infrastructure in the state.
The National Investment and Manufacturing Zones (NIMZs) in 12,500 acres of land is approved by Government of India. The State has also developed sector-specific Aerospace Park at Devanahalli.
Karnataka is the first Indian state to announce an aerospace policy.
“The State has launched e-udyami, a completely online-based One Stop Shop for all prospective investors which allow all investors, independent of their locations to apply for investments in Karnataka and monitor the status of projects’ implementation,†Siddaramaiah added.
The summit is sponsored by the US Trade and Development Agency in partnership with the central government. Union Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju and US Ambassador to India Richard Rahul Verma also attended the summit.
Siddaramaiah also invited Verma to bring the US as a partner country in the ‘Invest Karnataka–2016’, to be held next year in Bangalore.