Czechs interested in NE aviation

Guwahati, Oct 22(UNI) At a time when the Indian aviation industry is going through a stormy surge, no less than four aviation companies of Czechoslovakia have expressed interest to handle ground hardware of future aviation companies in North East India.

Addressing a press conference here today, Czechoslovakian ambassador to India Dr Hynek Kmonicek said his country was also interested in investing in the banking sector and setting up mini-hydel projects as well as a brewery.

Attracted by the just-concluded North East Business Summit, the Czechoslovakia returned to the North East to seriously look into the probability of Czech investment in the region, especially in the sector of food processing, aviation, hydel power and banking.

The Czech Ambassador led the delegation on an eight day tour to the region, meeting various state government representatives and exploring the possibilities of investment in smaller states.

''I find North East India very interesting and it fits in our scheme of investment. I am very much enthusiastic about aviation and food processing,'' he said, elaborating the legendary abilities of Czechs in breweries.

His tour was facilitated by the North Eastern Development Finance organization (NEDFi).

Dr Kmonicek informed newspersons that he was leading a delegation of nine companies, comprising four companies from the Aviation sector, three companies from the small hydro power sector and one each from small brewery and banking.

''Trascon, Eldis, Moravan Aviation and Ul-Jih are the four leading companies of the Czech Republic which can provide solutions of air connectivity to the hilly terrains of North East,'' he said.

Besides manufacturing small aircraft, these companies provide unique portable airports and heliports. As the North East is hilly, these companies can provide the perfect solution for aviation.

Further, the hydro power companies CINK Hydro Energy, CKD Blansko Engineering and Strojirmy Brno are interested to provide technology for the small hydel power projects.

The Czech technology in small hydro power is known for its quality and NEDFi is interested for the promotion of small hydro power projects which do not affect ecology and environment but provide solutions to the localised interior villages having potential hydro power around it, NEDFi CMD K N Hazarika said.

Small brewery is another area which can be set up in the tourist resorts and hotels to provide its unique brand identity to the visiting tourists. The Budwiser brand of the Czechs are also well known, the ambassador said.

''ZVU Potez of the Czech Republic will be accompanying the delegation to popularise its small brewery technology,'' he said.

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