MARCH 20258GOVT CONSIDERS INCENTIVES FOR EXPORTERS AMID GLOBAL TRADE UNCERTAINTYINDIA NEEDS 30000 PILOTS IN 20 YEARS AS INDUSTRY EXPANDS: AVIATION MINISTERThe Indian government is expected to introduce another set of incentives for the exporters for certain restoration in the country's exports and to KRammohan Naidu, the Minister of Civil Aviation, said on Tuesday that India will need 30,000 pilots in the next 15 to 20 years as domestic airlines expand their network with more than 1,700 planes on order. He assured that the ministry is sitting together for the aviation sector and that officials were validating TOP STORIESvarious aspects of 38 Flying Training Organizations (FTOs), which would then be rated.The minister was addressing an event to mark the signing of an MOU for an order for 200 trainer aircraft. Naidu noted that Indian airlines have ordered over 1,700 aircraft and currently operate some 800 planes. At present, there are between 6,000 and 7,000 pilots active, and the country will need 30,000 more in the next 15 to 20 years," the minister said while also requesting India to become a training hub. India, according to him, is the fastest-growing civil aviation market in the world. According to the minister, attempts are being made to classify airports, including separate cargo and FTO airports.According to Naidu, Indian airlines have placed orders for over 1,700 aircraft, with more than 800 in operation right now. Presently, there are 6,000 and 7,000 working pilots, which means that in 15 to 20 years the country will need 30,000 pilots, said the minister, who also pitched for making India a training hub. India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world. The minister said that efforts are being made toward a classification of airports, including the possibility of having dedicated airports for cargo and FTOs. counter the reciprocal tariff threats from the Donald Trump administration, sources confirmed.These incentives have not yet been finalised, but the Export Promotion Mission of Rs 2,250 crore, announced in the recent budget, has plenty of room to manoeuvre since relevant schemes have not yet been fully notified. This gives the government an opportunity to go ahead with further measures to help exporters out.India's merchandise export value has been falling for several months now. Merchandise exports in January valued $36.43 billion, down from $37.32 billion in January 2024, with December exports dropping even further to $38.01 billion, compared to $38.39 billion in December 2023. Exports in November 2024 stood at $32.11 billion, lower than about $33.75 billion in the same month in the previous year.Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal will discuss with export promotion councils on Thursday to find solutions to the pressing issues in trade. This is a very important meeting because the minister has just returned from Washington, where he had a discussion on trade with the U.S. team. The government is, very probably, going to explore the means to boost exports and answer any global challenges that currently pose as crises for India.
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