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ADB
grants $1.2m to bolster regional cooperation in South Asia
ISLAMABAD:
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is extending a $1.2 million grant to
promote regional cooperation in South Asia by enhancing capacity of
research institutes, think tanks and experts in the region.
The
grant, technical assistance (TA) for supporting network of research
institutes and think tanks in South Asia phase-II, covers consulting
services, regional conferences, research programmes and publications.
These
activities help mold public opinion and often influence views of leaders
in the region, contributing to stronger political will for cooperation,
said an ADB press release received here on Monday.
“The
project will promote regional economic cooperation in South Asia through
knowledge sharing, policy formulation and improving the capacity of
research institutes through studies and workshops,” said Shunsuke
Bando, economist of ADB’s South Asia Department.
Most
South Asian countries have fairly well developed and
analytically-oriented research institutes, think tanks and experts, the
research activities and the dissemination of findings can be further
improved, it added.
©
The Times of India
Boeing
Signs 10-Year Agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics
MOU
aims to bring India $1 billion in new aerospace business
ST.
LOUIS, Dec. 20, 2007 -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and India's
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) today signed a 10-year Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) intended to bring more than US$1 billion of new
aerospace manufacturing work to India.
The
agreement, signed in New Delhi by Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing
Integrated Defense Systems, and Ashok K. Baweja, chairman of HAL, also
includes sharing key Boeing business and manufacturing tools with HAL.
"I
am extremely pleased that Boeing and HAL have agreed to work together for
the mutual benefit of their companies and countries. The agreement
represents an important step in our efforts to build solid long-term
partnerships in India to make Boeing products more globally competitive,
while allowing HAL to grow and expand its potential market around the
world," said Albaugh.
"This
is a significant step by two aerospace leaders that opens up new avenues
and areas of co-operations. HAL and Indian industry gain from this
long-term business arrangement in terms of technology upgrade, while
Boeing can look forward to a reliable source for its product
requirements," said Baweja.
Under
the agreement, Boeing and HAL will explore business opportunities aimed at
transferring work packages to India with an initial value of US$10-$20
million annually, increasing in size and complexity as business
opportunities develop. Boeing also will support HAL in developing
manufacturing processes and capabilities needed for the production of
hardware for Boeing and/or its subcontractors. Boeing also will support
the training and transfer of Boeing best practices for Lean principles and
Supplier and Program Management to the extent allowed by U. S. government
and Boeing Corporate policy. Initial training in Lean began in 2006 and
will continue through 2008.
Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited agrees to offer Boeing competitive pricing, to invest
in the required manufacturing infrastructure, and to join Boeing in
seeking recognition by the government of India for the value of the work
packages and technology transfers in support of credits against existing
or future offset obligations.
Boeing's
efforts on this project will be led and managed through its Integrated
Defense Systems business unit.
Boeing's
history in India reaches back more than 60 years, marked by success in
working with airline customers, parts suppliers, research institutes and
others to provide products and services. In December 2003, Boeing
established a wholly owned subsidiary, Boeing International Corporation
India Private Limited (BICIPL), to support the growing demands of India's
aviation, aerospace and defense industries.
Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited is the premier aerospace company involved in the
design, development, manufacture and maintenance of advanced fighters,
trainers, helicopters and associated engines, accessories, avionics and
airborne systems. Headquartered in Bangalore, HAL has 18 production units
and nine research and design centers in India with 32,000 employees.
[Source:
Boeing]
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