Karnataka may tweak aerospace policy to beat competition

BENGALURU: To maintain its leadership position in defence and aerospace sectors in the country, the Karnataka Government is said to be thinking of tweaking its aerospace policy that was announced nearly a decade ago.With Karnataka contributing to over 65 per cent of defence and aerospace exports from the country, the state is aiming to sharpen its policy to maintain its edge, especially when the Central Government is focusing on domestic production under the Aatmanirbhar scheme.

The change in policy is to beat competition from Defence Industrial Corridors announced recently in other parts of the country. Changes will be made in the policy in consultation with industry experts, a senior officer from the Industries Department told TNIE.

“There is a thinking in the government to change the policy. The details are, however, yet to be worked out,” sources said, adding that the defence and aerospace manufacturing ecosystem in Karnataka has been developed over several decades and the state should have been considered by the Centre while announcing the Defence Industrial Corridors.

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Commerce and Industries, said that Karnataka was the first state in the country to announce the aerospace policy and the new industrial policy announced recently also has given importance to the sector. 

Gunjan Krishna, Commissioner of Industries and Commerce, said that with two international and six domestic airports, Karnataka is well connected to key demand centres and logistic gateways. Research and Development, Aerospace and Defence Manufacturing, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul and Space Exploration are among the key opportunities in the sector in the state, he added.

At a seminar on “Aerospace and Defence Opportunities in Karnataka” at the ongoing Aero India 2021, Industries Minister Jagadish Shettar said that the State Government has taken a number of policy decisions to ensure ease of doing business by providing necessary support to industries.The new industrial policy has focused on attracting investments to Tier-II and Tier-III cities. “Bengaluru is among the most-preferred destinations for investors from across the world. But we want to take industries to other cities that have excellent air and road connectivity,” Shettar said.

 Signature Park near KIA 
The State Government is developing a Signature Park in a 400-acre land adjacent to the Kempegowda International Airport, Industries Department source said. 

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