ASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK9MAYSAFRAN & UNI TRITECH PARTNER TO PRODUCE LEAP ENGINE PARTS IN INDIAFrench aerospace company Safran has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India-based Uni Tritech to manufacture components for LEAP aircraft engines in India. The partnership is expected to strengthen India's growing role in global aerospace manufacturing.Under the agreement, Uni Tritech will produce precision-engineered parts for LEAP engines, which are widely used in modern commercial aircraft. The move supports India's ambition to become a key aerospace manufacturing hub under the government's Make in India initiative.The LEAP engine is developed by CFM International, a joint venture between Safran Aircraft Engines and GE Aerospace. It powers popular aircraft models such as the Airbus A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX, both of which are used by airlines across the world.This collaboration is expected to boost India's aerospace manufacturing capabilities by increasing local production of high-precision aircraft components. It may also create opportunities for skilled jobs and help Indian companies become part of global aviation supply chains. Andhra Pradesh rare earth investment is gaining momentum as the state prepares a major investment drive aimed at building a complete ecosystem for strategic minerals.The government is targeting more than Rs 50,000 crore in investments over the next decade, focusing on mining, processing, and high-value manufacturing. This move comes as India looks to cut its reliance on China for rare earth materials and permanent magnets.The plan aligns with the Union Budget for 2026­27, where Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced central support for rare earth corridors across coastal states, including Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha. The state now aims to turn that vision into a fully operational industrial network.A senior official said the government is working on a comprehensive rare earth policy, expected to be approved and notified by June 2026. Once cleared, the state will roll out industrial parks and define the rare earth corridor, while partnering with major companies to build an end-to-end value chain. Fresh concerns are emerging around Noida International Airport, with airlines warning that poor connectivity could hurt its success even before full operations begin.The spotlight is now firmly on connectivity, as the airport connectivity raises concern about how easily passengers can reach the new hub. Industry experts say Noida Airport connectivity issues raise concerns not just for travelers, but also for airlines planning long-term operations.Major carriers including IndiGo and Air India have flagged accessibility as a key concern. Unlike Delhi's main airport, which is supported by a strong network of metro lines, highways, and rail links, Noida Airport currently lacks seamless public transport connectivity. For an airport expected to serve millions, this gap could become a serious bottleneck.At present, passengers traveling to the airport will largely depend on road transport such as taxis, buses, or private vehicles. While infrastructure projects like metro extensions and rapid rail systems are underway, they are not expected to be completed until around 2028. This means that in its initial years, the airport may struggle to offer the kind of easy access that travelers have come to expect. ANDHRA PRADESH PLANS RS 50,000 CR RARE EARTH INVESTMENT DRIVEIS NOIDA AIRPORT IN TROUBLE? POOR CONNECTIVITY RAISES CONCERNUP INDUSTRIAL PARK POLICY DRAWS PLUG-AND-PLAY INVESTORS TO STATEThe UP industrial park policy is gaining attention as the Uttar Pradesh government moves to bring private companies into the state's industrial expansion plans through ready-to-use business spaces.The state is promoting the Uttar Pradesh Private Business Park Development Scheme 2025 along with the UP Plug and Play Industrial Shed Policy 2026 to make it easier for companies to begin operations without long construction delays.Under the new framework, developers can build modern plug-and-play industrial parks where factory sheds, roads, water supply, and power connections are already in place before a company moves in.This reduces setup time for manufacturers and service firms that usually spend months, and sometimes years, securing land and building facilities from the ground up. Officials believe the model can help the state attract global companies, research centers, and global capability centers looking for faster expansion.
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