Latest news with #Malkani
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Max Aerospace to set up Rs 8,000cr helicopter manufacturing unit in Nagpur
Nagpur: The state govt signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with aircraft engineering and maintenance company — Max Aerospace & Aviation Private Limited — to establish in Nagpur what would be among the country's first private sector helicopter manufacturing units. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It would cater to both military and civil sectors. The project will entail an investment of Rs 8,000 crore, creating 2,000 jobs. The state govt hopes the project will give a major thrust to the defence manufacturing sector in Vidarbha. Currently, the public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited makes helicopters in the country. Airbus and Tatas also have plans to set up a unit in Karnataka. Max's MoU signed in the presence of CM Devendra Fadnavis and industries minister Uday Samant, comes soon after this. Talking to TOI, the CEO of Max Aerospace, Bharat Malkani, said the plan is to start building the plant by the middle of next year. The company is eyeing a collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across the world. Max is hopeful of striking a deal with an OEM soon, and an announcement will be made in the coming months, he said. Malkani stated the plan is to cater to both civil and defence sectors. Max is planning to make light and medium helicopters. In the defence sector, the idea is to serve the initially. There is a major need to cater to the Indian defence segment considering the strategic requirements of the country, he said. Max may need around 150 acres of land. Already in the maintenance business earlier, it planned to set up an aircraft maintenance repair and overhaul (MRO) business in the Mihan-SEZ. However, the company withdrew after it found taxation rules concerning an SEZ not compatible with its business plans. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Now, as it is open to taking up land in the Mihan project, it would request the govt to allot space in the domestic tariff area (DTA) instead. Once the construction begins it hopes the plant would be ready in the next three-and-half years. Malkani said the company chose to venture into helicopter manufacturing after it felt that the country needs to have an established player in the segment. India is one of the largest aviation markets, but there is hardly any presence in the manufacturing side. "Max plans to take the initiative and hopes that in the coming decades, the scenario may undergo a major change," he says. As it ties up with a global market, various models will be tried. A part of the components will be of the company's own proprietary design, he said. The project will have a centre of excellence for rotary wing platform customisation, integration, and flight testing, as per a press release issued from the chief minister's office. Locating the facility near the airport will enable it to provide basic support and logistics easily. CM said the govt hopes the company will start operations within the stipulated time.
Express Tribune
27-01-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Govt aims to boost seafood exports amid EU ban
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Livestock and Fisheries Muhammad Ali Malkani has said that the provincial government is taking all necessary steps to increase seafood exports and is in contact with the federal government in this regard. Speaking during the Question Hour in the Sindh Assembly on Tuesday, Malkani replied to various written and supplementary questions from members. He informed the assembly that there are several hatcheries in Sindh for fish breeding, where seeds are sown. "We release fish seeds into rivers at the government level." He said that efforts are being made to meet the standards set by the European Union to lift the ban on seafood exports, particularly for shrimp and fish. Malkani said that those who set up factories for export of fisheries are provided with assistance, but no subsidies are given. Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon requested Deputy Speaker Naveed Anthony to address the issue of some members asking irrelevant questions. Memon noted that there are existing rules for asking questions in a member's absence. MQM's Dr Fauzia Hameed referred to the deplorable condition of fishermen's colonies, urging the government to take notice. Aijaz Haq also pointed out that poor fishermen's boats are sinking, and the government is not providing any facilities to help them. Abdul Waseem from MQM asked about the legal action taken against those using banned nets for fishing. In response, Muhammad Ali Malkani said that while action is taken, the department lacks sufficient resources. He also acknowledged the absence of cold storage facilities but assured that the department will help the fishermen in this regard. ucted in collaboration with community-based organisations. Meanwhile, parliamentary journalists made their voices heard in the assembly, protesting against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) amendment and demanded its withdrawal.
