KARACHI: Local auto vendors are willing to start development of parts for tanks and aircraft manufacturing.

Pakistan Association of Automotive Parts and Accessories Manufacturers (PAAPAM) Chairman Mashood Ali Khan in a recent meeting with senior officials of Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) informed them that many of their member companies are matured to work for the aerospace sector and expected to play their role in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.

PAAPAM members also met Chairman Pakistan Aerospace Complex Air Marshal Arshad Malik at an event held to commemorate the launch of Pakistan Aerospace Council (pac) as a platform for networking between Pakistani high-tech sector and its clients in Pakistan as well as the global market place.

Mr Malik gave an overview of the excellent order book and work load of PAC Kamra and its ability to localiSe aircraft assemblies required in military and trainer planes produced at Kamra.

He said Kamra valued specialist companies from the automotive sector who could take a step further into aerospace component manufacturing.

Imtiaz Rastgar, member PAC board, stressed on the need for cluster formation in the aerospace and high-tech sector and how this could lead to meeting local needs while the global market offers immense possibilities for similar parts.

He said there are over 2,000 aeronautics, defence and space related companies in Europe, employing 750,000 people with turnover of 190 billion euros. These companies import large quantities of parts and Pakistani high-tech sector companies mentored through the CBI Export Coaching Programme are already making respectable exports to Europe.

Published in Dawn, November 30th, 2016