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[John Feltham]

INDIAN AND AUSTRALIAN AEROSPACE COMPANIES JOIN TOGETHER .

 Bangalore, Feb 22 (IANS) The Society of Indian Aerospace and Technologies (SIATI) and Aviation Aerospace Australia (AAA) Wednesday entered into a long-term agreement to jointly develop the aerospace industry in both the countries.

The partnership agreement was signed late Wednesday by SIATI president Krishnadas Nair and AAA chief executive Geoffrey Bowmaker in the presence of Gordon Rich-Phillips, aviation industry minister of Australia's Victoria state, and industry representatives from both countries.

Noting that the pact signalled a new level of cooperation and exchange between Victoria and India in aviation and aerospace, Rich-Phillips said the partnership would enable both the organisations to share knowledge, develop domain expertise and transfer skills.

"As we consider the aviation and aerospace sector to be a vital enabling industry in the state economy, this partnership will help local firms to tap new opportunities in India," the Victorian minister said.

About 20 leading aviation and aerospace firms from Victoria are part of the Victorian government's 200-member trade mission, led by its Premier Ted Baillieu, that is on a week-long visit to India since Tuesday.