Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) is opening a branch in Jakarta, Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country. The division is the first area office opened by and Israeli defense company in an Islamic state, reported Yediot Ahronot.
The branch is a joint venture between airline Garuda Indonesia and IAI’s Bedek Aviation Group. The two companies will jointly convert Boeing 737s owned by GE Capital Aviation Services’ leasing company from passenger aircraft to cargo planes.
Israel has no formal government representation in Indonesia. The Islamic country postponed plans to open trade relations with the Jewish state in 1999. The initiative sparked controversy and demonstrations were staged by groups of students in the country who were strongly against the move.
(IAI) is recognized as a world leader in tri-space defense and civil aerospace technologies. Established in 1953, the company has defense forces and commercial clients in over 85 countries with military and commercial aircraft as well as satellites, radar systems and missile defense systems. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
