Airbus is planning to establish additional joint ventures for aircraft parts development in the Middle East, the company has announced.
The aircraft manufacturer wants to subcontract the manufacture of plane parts to local companies, according to Airbus’ president for the Middle East Habib Fekih.
“Airbus is studying some options to set up additional joint ventures in the Middle East and especially in Dubai,” he said during a roundtable to unveil Airbus’ 2009 plans for this region.
“These joint ventures are multiple and can take different forms like the joint venture with companies in Qatar and Oman for training.”
An agreement with Mubadala Investment company – Abu Dhabi government’s investment arm – to manufacture parts for Airbus is already in place.
Airbus and Mubadala are establishing a plant, which will produce parts including flap track fairings and spoilers, for the aircraft manufacturer’s planes. The plant is expected to begin operations in 2010.
Mubadala also has an agreement with Boeing and Lockheed to establish a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Abu Dhabi.
Airbus is now looking to form similar partnerships with other Middle Eastern businesses.
"We are studying some joint ventures in the UAE and are discussing with some parties to take this forward," Fekih said. "This is not a gimmick, it is the strategy for the future. We are focusing on locating the right partners. The aim is to lower cost, keep quality and develop efficiencies.
“The joint ventures would cover a range of activities from manufacturing, design, outfitting VIP aircraft to training,” Fekih added. eals-mideast-joint-venture-plans
http://www.arabianbusiness.com/544079-airbus-reveals-mideast-joint-venture-plans
Follow us on our social media channels:
@ILQlive
@ILQlive
@ILoveQtr
ILoveQatar
