THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Friday said that two major defence related
projects “ a helicopter engine overhauling unit and manufacture of minesweepers “ will soon
start production in Goa, which is expected to give a boost to investment and employment
generation in the State.
The Defence Minister gave a firm "no" when asked whether the government has taken any
decision to set up the minor port at Betul.
Speaking to the media after launching the Jyotirmay LED Bulb scheme here on Friday, Parrikar said
while the engine overhauling unit will be set up at the shed of Goa Auto Accessories Ltd in a joint
venture with a French company, the 12 minesweepers with an investment of Rs 32,500 crore
will be built at Goa Shipyard Ltd with technology transfer from a Korean company.
“Discussions between HAL and EDC is at an advanced state, and if everything goes well, the joint
venture agreement should be in place within a week’s time. By August 15, we expect to complete
the entire process and the unit should come into existence by October this year,” he said.
Explaining the proposal, the Defence Minister said that copter engines will be repaired in Goa and
returned back not only from the Indian Air Force but from the private sector as well.
“Around 8,000Â-10,000 crore business is expected to be carried out in the unit, creating direct and indirect employment for 1,500 persons,” he said.
Replying to a question, Parrikar said that EDC and HAL will soon sign an agreement as
negotiations have reached the last stage.
On the manufacture of the 12 minesweepers, Parrikar said that Goa Shipyard Ltd is negotiating
the transfer of technology from a Korean company to build 12 minesweepers.
“The turnover in the first year is expected to be around Rs 3,200 crore. Goa Shipyard will have to outsource other works on building the minesweeper to small players in Goa. We will insist that local Goan players get the business from Goa Shipyard," he said.
