AmCham and USIBC jointly hosted the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs, U.S. Department of Transportation, Ms. Susan Kurland, for a closed door interactive session with members. The discussions revolved around “Make In India,” MRO and regional connectivity, skill development, infrastructure and security protocols etc.

Suggestions were made regarding actions for enhancing regional connectivity – reduction of sales tax on VAT, development of low cost airports, helipad developments. For uplifting the stagnant MRO industry the primary suggestion was to make available an aircraft spare parts warehouse, flexing off the tax regime and fix the challenges faced due to lack of adequate space and infrastructure at airports. The solutions suggested were to apply zero vat and zero rate of service tax on MRO’s, and that sale of parts and consumables could be brought under declared goods.

The Assistant Secretary spoke on the policy framework to support U.S. – India bilateral cooperation in aviation. Approximately 40 AmCham members participated. Palash Roy Chowdhury, Chairman of the AmCham Aviation Committee and Country Manager – Pratt & Whitney, Amber Dubey, Co-Chairman of the AmCham Aviation Committee and Partner, KPMG and Pratyush Kumar, member of AmCham Aviation committee and President, Boeing India, led the discussions.