U.S.-INDIA AVIATION PARTNERSHIP SUMMIT OPENS
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USTDA Launches U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program to Support India's Civil Aviation Priorities |
USTDA Launches U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program to Support India's Civil Aviation Priorities
NEW DELHI, INDIA (April 23, 2007) – To promote greater collaboration between the U.S. and Indian aviation sectors, USTDA, in partnership with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA), Government of India, is sponsoring the U.S.-India Aviation Partnership Summit, which opened today at the Taj Majal Hotel. The three-day event, which has attracted more than 300 participants, seeks to encourage a high-level dialogue between U.S. and Indian government officials and private sector representatives on the development of India's aviation sector and the growing relationship between the two nation's industries and governments.
"USTDA is focusing significant attention on India's aviation sector because we are interested in exploring ways to help our aviation systems grow together in mutually beneficial ways," said USTDA Deputy Director Leocadia I. Zak. "Working in partnership with each other, we can achieve results that will shape the future and strengthen our respective systems."
The extraordinary growth of India's economy has placed increased demands on the nation's aviation infrastructure to accommodate rising passenger and cargo volumes. As a result, India is facing enormous infrastructure development challenges as it strives to further enhance air service quality, airport efficiency, flight security, and air-space management.
Recognizing the potential for further cooperation between the United States and India in the aviation sector, USTDA initialed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MOCA at the Summit today to establish the U.S.-India Aviation Cooperation Program (ACP). The MOU was initialed by Deputy Director Zak and MOCA Joint Secretary R.K. Singh, on behalf of the U.S. and Indian governments, respectively, in a ceremony following today's opening plenary.
The ACP consists of a public-private partnership between USTDA, the FAA and many U.S. aviation companies that will serve as a mechanism through which Indian aviation sector officials can work with U.S. civil aviation representatives to highlight specific areas for bilateral technical cooperation. Initially, the ACP is expected to focus on activities that support air traffic/air space management enhancements and the challenge of rapidly increasing aviation traffic in India. More information on the ACP is included on a separate fact sheet linked below.
Specific plans for upgrading the aviation sector are outlined in India's Policy on Airport Infrastructure, in which MOCA states that the establishment of a technologically advanced and systematically reliable air traffic control system is a key priority. Other objectives include expanding airport facilities, installing airport security and monitoring systems, establishing an information technology network to synchronize airport operations, and enforcing airworthiness certification and regulatory systems. To promote a discussion between representatives of the U.S. and Indian aviation sectors regarding industry growth opportunities and challenges, the Summit includes sessions on air traffic management and airspace utilization, and the promotion of commercial collaboration in the development of new airborne systems.
The U.S.-India Aviation Partnership Summit is taking place in cooperation with the Airports Authority of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the U.S. Departments of State and Commerce, the U.S. Commercial Service, and the Confederation of Indian Industries. The event garnered corporate sponsorships from 20 U.S. and Indian companies. In addition to Deputy Director Zak, other participants in today's opening plenary included MOCA Minister Praful Patel, FAA Administrator Marion C. Blakey, and MOCA Secretary Ashok Chawla.
For further details on the ACP, contact FAA Senior Representative Randall Fiertz (Randall.Fiertz@faa.gov), Boeing India Commercial Airplanes Managing Director Dr. Vivek Lall (vivek.lall@boeing.com), or USTDA India Country Manager Marian Bassett (mbassett@ustda.gov).
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, early investment analysis, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
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