Dhaka : Canadian company IMP Cascade Aerospace is interested to set up a commercial aircraft-repairing facility, known as an MRO facility, in Bangladesh. Once completed, the project will help Bangladesh save foreign currencies and get skilled manpower in this trade, said Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Canada.

MRO stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. In the aviation industry, MRO services are focused on the repair, service, maintenance, and/or inspection of aircraft. MRO includes all of the tasks involved in keeping aircraft in safe and high-peforming operating conditions.

According to its website, Cascade is a leading Canadian aerospace and defence contractor with over 650 skilled professionals supporting military and civilian aircraft programmes. Headquartered in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Cascade also has operations in Trenton and Ottawa, Ontario.

The envoy said, "When I was appointed the Bangladeshi HC in Canada, the Prime Minister tasked me with several responsibilities, including the Dhaka-Canada-Dhaka flights and the MRO facility."

Stating that the Air Force chief, too, is aware of Cascade Aerospace's planned venture in Bangladesh, Khalilur said, "I sat with the chief executive of the company recently. Establishing the facility will invite a huge Canadian investment."

He hopes that both commercial and military aircraft will be repaired at the facility. The aircraft fleet of the IC-130 series owned by Bangladesh is repaired and maintained by the Canadian company, the envoy said.

If approved, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University in Lalmonirhat will host the project. Engineers at the university have built two training aircraft in the last couple of years. All aircraft in the country will be repaired and maintained at the MRO facility while saving foreign exchange, creating skilled manpower and generating employment opportunities.

On this front, envoy Khalilur said, "We went our aircraft abroad for repairs. But if we can do that at home, it will be a great relief for all. Additionally, if we can repair and maintain planes from neighbouring countries here in Bangladesh, we would be able to earn foreign currencies."

The Bangladesh government and the Canadian company have already agreed in principle to establish the MRO facility, which will expire in a maximum of three years.

"The next course of action has to be determined before the agreement in principle becomes obsolete. Otherwise, discussions should be renewed between both parties," Khalilur suggested, adding, "Cascade Aerospace authorities are very cordial in this regard. Now the authorities concerned (in Bangladesh) have to take proper measures accordingly."