27 March 2006
International aviation industry leaders look to New Zealand for opportunities
Next week leading international aviation companies will attend an aviation symposium in Christchurch to explore
opportunities in New Zealand.
The symposium, called IMAPP (International Meeting of Aviation Products and Support Processes), is a joint venture
between the Royal Aeronautical Society, New Zealand Division (RAeS-NZ) and a technical committee of the American
Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA). It follows the success of the first IMAPP symposium in Dresden,
Germany last year.
This symposium aims to highlight the use of leading-edge technologies to support the long term competitive advantage of
New Zealand's aviation industry.
As in Dresden, attendees will include representatives from some of the largest international companies; Lockheed Martin,
Airbus, Boeing and Pratt and Whitney will all be present, along with key New Zealand industry players like Air New
Zealand.
"This will create an important forum where local and international companies can explore capabilities and opportunities
for joint ventures, investment, and technology development," says Mr Ian Diamond, the Symposium's organising committee
Chair.
"The strong international presence at the symposium will provide a platform for the New Zealand aviation industry to
demonstrate the strength and depth of the technical capability that exists in this country, and will help us understand
and take advantage of changing technology, management, and business model trends", he said.
The symposium is supported by the Canterbury Development Corporation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
NZTE and CDC's support is part of an industry and government initiative aimed at building our aviation industry's export
growth. A further result of the initiative, a new company created as a joint venture between a New Zealand and a
European company, is also likely to be announced at the symposium.
IMAPP is being held at the Christchurch Convention Centre 5-8 April.
ENDS