Collaboration of large business houses with Gujarat's SMEs and MSMEs can help transform Indian Aerospace & Defence ecosystem. Gujarat stands #1 in terms of the asset base of the MSME sector, according to the Fourth Census of MSMEs. MSMEs play a vital role in various areas of the Defence Sector such as R&D, MRO, Software Development, Casting, forging and metal works, Naval and Land systems, subsystems and accessories, etc.

Speaking on the ecosystem for Aerospace & Defence in the state, PK Taneja, Additional Chief Secretary (Industries & Mines) said, "We've already seen great interest from global companies in the area of Aerospace & Defence. Some of these companies have already visited Gujarat and paid multiple visits to proposed sites. As a state, we have the requisite land, coastline and skilled manpower for the sector to flourish.

"We are in talks with these companies and are hopeful of strategic partnerships on the back of Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2017. Additionally, as a part of the ‘Make in Gujarat' series, we are hosting a seminar on ‘Indian Aerospace & Defence Industry: Synergies for achieving self-reliance, encouraging innovation and Make in India' on January 12, 2017."

The state is scheduled to host the prestigious Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit in January 2017 and the event is expected to be attended by industry leaders from Aerospace & Defence sector including participation from companies like Boeing International.

The seminar will be chaired by Ashok Kumar Gupta, IAS, Secretary (Defence Production) and addressed by key speakers including V P Yajurvedi, Director General Ordnance Factories (DGOF) & Chairman, Ordnance Factory Board, T. Suvarna Raju, CMD, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL), Sudhir Kumar Mishra, CEO & MD, BrahMos Aerospace.

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