Newstrack

Canadian province of Manitoba seeks Indian partnership

Chetan Kapoor - New Delhi

Bonnie de Moissac Manager, International Business Development, Manitoba Trade and Investment

Manitoba Trade and Investment, a department of Intergovernmental Affairs and Trade of Canada had delegates from the country recently flown down to India for the Airport and Airline 2008 Expo, held at New Delhi to explore business opportunities in the aviation sector on "both sides".

In a conversation with Express AviationWorld at the sidelines of the event, Bonnie de Moissac, manager, International Business Development, Manitoba Trade and Investment said, "India is a special country with special needs and is experiencing an exponential growth in the aviation sector. It would require ten times more people for MROs, AMEs and also pilots with the number of airports being developed and aircraft deliveries coming in. We have got the expertise that is now needed in India and can offer a whole gamut of services in technical, manufacturing and training on both sides."

Located at the centre of the North American continent, Manitoba is an aviation hub in Canada and according to de Moissac, tie-ups with India would be a win-win situation for both parties. She informed, "We are not trying to sell so much as to support the Indian aviation industry. We are open to partnerships as India is an exciting future country. Our intention is not to retain young people who come for training at Manitoba, but for them to come back as the next decade is India's and aviation is going to prove itself to the world."

Referring to establishing a presence of the delegate companies in the country or having Indian companies set up base in Manitoba in partnership with Canadian counterparts, de Moissac explained, "Companies vary from gaining experience, to all the way having plain ownership, which requires them to be of international standards. We are working and weighing with different options."