Karnataka to hard-sell Aerospace Park at Aero India 2011

The Karnataka government is set to hard sell its Aerospace Park coming up near Devanahalli during the biennial five-day Aero India show commencing on February 9.

The government, for the first time, will set up a stall to woo global aviation majors to the state.

It has already contacted aviation leaders with a request to consider Bangalore as their favourite destination while implementing their future plans.

“We have already fixed exclusive one-on-one meetings of delegations of nine most prestigious aerospace firms with chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and chief secretary SV Ranganath,” commissioner of Industries and commerce department Rajkumar Khatri said.

Rolls Royce India head Anil Sharkhande, Lockheed Martin country head Jagmohan Singh, a delegation from US-India Business Council led by its president Ron Somers were scheduled to hold separated meetings with the chief minister.

Representatives from Boeing, Raytheon and Honeywell would be in the delegation headed by Somers.

Khatri added that Alexey Fedorov, president of the United Aircraft Corporation from Russia, would also meeting Yeddyurappa to explore investment opportunities in Karnataka.

The government has already cleared the proposals of Mahindra group to set up aerospace components unit and a proposal from Wipro for aerospace designing unit. A project by Dynamatic Technologies would take off on February 11 at Devanahalli with a formal ground-breaking ceremony.

The state has earmarked 984 acres for the Devanahalli Aerospace Park, which included a special economic zone spread over 252 acres. It has also offered several incentives and tax concessions. Infrastructure works such laying roads, drains and drawing power lines was under way, Khatri said.

“Bangalore is one of the most ideal destinations for aerospace industry and industry majors participating in the show would be convinced about it,” added Khatri.