After US giants, SMEs make pitch in India

After US giants pursuing mega defence deals in India, it now appears to be the turn of small, medium and not-so-big American firms to make a pitch in this country, eyeing a multi-billion dollar opportunity.

The US department of commerce's first Aerospace Supplier Development Trade Mission to India is currently on a five-day trip to the country. The mission has 11 aerospace companies, many of which are suppliers to Tier-I and Tier-II aerospace companies in US and different parts of the world.

"This mission is one of the many steps we are taking to foster and strengthen the relationships between US companies and potential partners in India," said Karen Zens, deputy assistant secretary, US department of commerce, leading the trade mission, at a reception hosted here by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, Karnataka, on Tuesday.

The mission, which included representatives from a variety of US aerospace industry manufacturers and service providers, is aimed at introducing US companies to key industry and government officials, potential strategic business and joint venture partners and existing equipment manufacturers in India.

According to a brief on commercial setting provided by the department, Indian aerospace sector ranks among the world's most dynamic, with airlines in India in the process of buying over 300 aircraft valued at about $35 billion between 2007 and 2012.