KARNATAKA STATE HANDICRAFTS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION LIMITED
With the aim of reaching out to more customers in India and abroad, KSHDCL had sought and held a meeting with Smt. Arathi Krishna, the Deputy Chairman of the NRI Forum Karnataka, to discuss and to promote the spread of handicrafts from the state of karnataka across the globe in general, and in the USA, UK and Australia in particular. KSHDL also strove to seek suggestions on exports to wide markets across the globe. During the meet, Smt. Arathi Krishna promised help in arranging exhibitions at the embassies of potential market countries, and said that she would request all joint secretaries to encourage the art and crafts patronised by the erstwhile Maharajas of Mysore. She also learnt that KSHDCL Exhibitions were more successful in events like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Think Big.’ Today, KSHDCL is touching an annual turnover of 54 Cr. Discussing on creating a global market for Karnataka-origin handicrafts, Smt. Arathi Krishna suggested that we seek and look out for local dealers and distributors in the foreign countries, and facilitating them to retail it to customers where sandalwood carving, rosewood furniture etc., has good demand in the USA, Canada and all countries where there is potential market for the products. Smt. Arathi Krishna also assured the KSHDL delegate that her Forum will promote KSHDCL during her forthcoming tours to Australia in May and Dallas in September this year.
AERO INDIA 2017
Within the space of a decade, Aero India – our own premier aerospace exhibition, has carved a niche for itself as a globally relevant air show. The eleventh edition of the event took place from 14 to 18 Feb 2017 at the Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru, an initiative of Karnataka Udyog Mitra. Aero India provides a significant platform for boosting business opportunities in International aviation, and in the present context, is favourably poised to notch up exponential growth over previous editions. A rapidly growing economy, defence preparedness challenges and the opening up of defence production to private investments have all given a good fillip to the defence industry in India. Aero India too in this context has also become a hub centre for exploring defence business in the Asia, and Bengaluru like a magnet draws global aerospace majors every year.
At the opening of this 11th edition of Aero India 2017 – Asia’s largest Air-show, a breathtaking display of thrilling manoeuvres by military aircraft and aerobatic teams left audiences spell-bound. Billed as Asia’s premier air show, the biennial International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition aka Aero India 2017, was inaugurated by defence minister Manohar Parrikar. Betting high on the defence market in India, global aerospace giants are hard-selling their wares with potential deals worth billions of Dollars on offer. A total of 549 companies took part in the event, of which 270 were Indian and 279 foreign. Mil-Mi-17 helicopters, indigenously built HAL products like Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) flanked by Cheetal helicopters, Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH), a formation comprising Dornier Do 228, Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, HTT-40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft), the Hawk and others were showcased at the event by India.
The excitement in the air was palpable at the Yelahanka Air Force Station on 17-02-2017, when Aero India finally opened its gates to the general public for the last two days. Aviation enthusiasts poured into the air base in large numbers, and the event, which had been a largely underwhelming fare for the past three days, suddenly came alive. Loud cheers from the large crowd rent the air as the metal birds in the sky performed one manoeuvre after another. The experience was more memorable for those attending the show for the first time. The many shutterbugs at the show too returned with some great pictures. But it was disappointing to see no new aircraft this year. Long queues could be seen in front of the Dassault Rafale and Saab Gripen jets. Besides being given a glimpse at the cockpits of these powerful machines, the public were allowed to sit in them.