France aerospace firms discuss expansion, investment plans in Karnataka

Bengaluru: Karnataka industries minister MB Patil on Wednesday held discussions with French aerospace and advanced materials companies on expanding their operations and making new investments in the state.

Aerospace and advanced materials company Aubert & Duval was urged to expand the capacity of its manufacturing facility at the Aequs Aerospace Special Economic Zone in Belagavi, Patil said in a statement.

Aubert & Duval has a presence at the Aequs Aerospace special economic zone (SEZ) and also operates in Karnataka through SQuAD Forging India, a joint venture with aerospace manufacturing company Aequs. The state government and company representatives agreed to hold further discussions with Aequs on the possibility of additional investment, Patil said.


Aerospace components manufacturer LISI Aerospace, which has a facility in Bengaluru, shared its future investment plans with the delegation. Patil said the state had asked the company to consider further investments in Karnataka.

Specialty materials company Arkema, which has a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru, was briefed on opportunities in Karnataka’s battery manufacturing sector, Patil said.

The discussions were held on the third day of Patil’s visit to France as part of efforts to attract investments into Karnataka’s industrial sector.

Office-bearers of the France Kannada Balaga, a Kannada association in Paris, met Patil and discussed ways to strengthen ties between France and Karnataka.

The discussions covered promotion of Kannada language and culture in France, cultural exchanges and opportunities for students and the Kannada community, Patil said.