Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the new state-of-the-art Boeing India Engineering and Technology Center (BIETC) campus in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 19 January. Built at an investment of Rs 1,600 crore, the 43-acre campus is Boeing's largest such investment outside the US. The Prime Minister also launched the Boeing Sukanya Programme, which aims to support the entry of more girls from across the country into the country's growing aviation sector.
Ms. Stephanie Pope, COO, The Boeing Company, appreciated the Prime Minister's focus on the development of the aviation sector in India and his important role in making the Boeing Sukanya program possible today. He expressed his gratitude for their continued support and looked forward to working together to shape the future of aerospace. He said that this new campus is a testament to Boeing's engineering heritage and underlines the confidence in the availability, depth of talent pool and capability present in India. He explained in detail the scope of the new campus and Boeing's plans to create an ecosystem that will take India to the forefront of the aerospace industry. Lastly, he said that the new Boeing campus will become one of the most cutting-edge examples of the Prime Minister's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative or 'self-reliance'.
He credited the Prime Minister for the idea of the Sukanya program and praised Boeing's efforts to create and accelerate opportunities for Indian women in aviation. “This program will remove barriers and inspire more women to pursue careers in the aerospace sector,” she said. He also informed about the plan to provide STEM laboratories in secondary schools. He expressed confidence that the Boeing and India partnership will shape the future of aviation and bring positive change to people in India and around the world.
Speaking on the occasion, he said that Bengaluru is a city that connects aspirations with innovations and achievements and India's technological capability with global demand. Informing that this newly inaugurated complex is Boeing's largest facility outside the US, the Prime Minister said, “This new technology complex of Boeing is going to strengthen this confidence.” He underlined that its scale and magnitude will strengthen the aviation market not only in India, but also across the world.
He said that this facility demonstrates India's commitment towards driving international technology, research and innovation, design and demand. “This campus strengthens the resolve of ‘Make in India-Make for the World’,” he said. “This campus will strengthen the world’s confidence in India’s talent,” he said. He expressed confidence that one day, India will design future aircraft in this facility.
Recalling the inauguration of Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing factory in Karnataka last year, the Prime Minister said this new Boeing facility is a clear indication of Karnataka's emergence as a new aviation hub. He especially congratulated the youth of India, who will now have many opportunities to acquire new skills in the aviation industry.
