Ottawa, Ontario (March 11, 2016) - Yesterday the Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Transport, and Vishnu Prakash, High Commissioner of India to Canada, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between Canada and India relating to civil aviation issues. The agreement details areas of potential cooperation between Canada and India and will serve as the starting point for the development of specific actions between the two countries in support of their civil aviation sectors.

   Jim Quick, President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada (AIAC), issued the following statement in response to the signing of the MOU:
With a best-in-class manufacturing industry and renowned civil transportation authority, Canada's civil aviation sector is a world leader for whom India is a key growth market. By 2020, it is expected that India will see over $120 billion in investments in its aviation sector and 250 million air passengers per year. Over ten major Canadian aerospace firms currently have facilities or do business in India, and that number will grow significantly in the years ahead as India's market continues to expand.

   This MOU is an important first step in what we hope will be a series of productive measures to foster continued collaboration between our nations. We look forward to the opportunity to work with India to develop its aviation sector and meet growing demand for air travel. On behalf of the Board and members of AIAC, I congratulate the governments of Canada and India on the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and thank Minister Garneau for his support on this file.

About AIAC:

   AIAC is the national association representing Canada's aerospace manufacturing and services sector.  As the world's fifth-largest aerospace industry, Canada's aerospace sector contributes over $29B to the economy in GDP, exports 80% of its output, and dedicates over 20% of its activity to research and development (R&D). Aerospace is responsible for the employment of 180,000 Canadians.

For information:
Kristen VanderHoek
Director of Communications
Aerospace Industries Association of Canada
613 232-4297 x225
kvanderhoek@aiac.ca