PTI

Bangalore, Mar 9: With its inherent advantages, Karnataka has the potential to be a ‘global aerospace hub’ by 2015, an industry body said on Friday as it urged the state government to take a host of initiatives to make it happen.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) felt that the competitive advantage Karnataka has in aerospace and defence should further prod the state to develop a complete ecosystem for the sector.

In a report on the aerospace industry released on CII Karnataka annual member's day here on Friday, the industry body suggested establishing ITIs (industrial training institutes) specific to the needs of the aerospace industry in Karnataka based on the PPP (public-private-participation) model.

The CII pitched in for introduction of diploma courses in aerospace engineering and developing an aerospace engineering institution with the help of indigenous and foreign institutions imparting education in the same field.

“Today's aerospace business is driven by hardware and software in equal measure. Karnataka, in particular Bangalore, being the country's IT capital, has inherent advantages both in terms of technical and industrial base and rich skilled human resources”, the report said.

The CII recommended that the government encourage establishment of Pilot training schools and take the initiative to set up an aviation university. It could consider tier-II cities of Mysore, Belgaum, Hubli and Mangalore for developing aerospace industries.

CII also pushed for creating an innovation fund for small and medium enterprises in the aerospace and defence sectors by the government to help facilitate technological innovation and some development of new technology.