EADS plans major presence in India

Bangalore, Sep 1 (UNI) European aerospace major EADS will have a significant presence in India through its technical and engineering services development centres over the next few years with a targetted investment of over two billion Euros (about Rs 11,000 crore).

''We are here not just because of the offset clause of the Airbus deal of Indian aviation giant Indian or the cost-effectiveness of local operations, but due to technical excellence, quality introduction and timely delivery conditions,'' EADS CEO Tom Enders told newspersons here, rounding up his five-day visit to India.

The company was aiming to set up a comprehensive Technology Development Centre and Engineering service centre for Airbus, which would start functioning in early 2008 with an initial strength of 100. Subsequently, it would increase to 800 in three years and touch 2,000 by the end of the eighth year of operations, Mr Daniel Baubil, Executive Vice-President and head of global industrial development, said.

Dr Enders said the Indian operations would be bigger and comprehensive, when compared to its China operations.

EADS India CEO Yves Guillaume, denying media reports about the possible location of the centre, said no final decision had been taken yet. It would be decided in a few weeks and several States were in contention.

Reports in a section of the media today indicated that the Centre would be located here and the company had firmed up the site.

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