EDC promotes P.R.’s aviation industry incentives at Air Venture 2011 event
EDC Secretary José Pérez-Riera (Credit: © Mauricio Pascual)
The Economic Development and Commerce Department is presenting the incentives and competitive advantages Puerto Rico offers to the aviation sector during its debut in the 2011 edition of the renowned Air Venture industry gathering taking place in Wisconsin this week.
‘This effort is transcendental for Puerto Rico, as it will significantly contribute to putting us on the general aviation industry’s map,” said EDC Chief José Pérez-Riera in a statement issued Thursday. “The island has the potential of being an important and diverse destination for this industry.”
During the event that ends Sunday, the agency — joined by representatives from the Puerto Rico Tourism Company and the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Co. — is promoting Puerto Rico as a tourist destination for private pilots, aviation events, “fly-in” events, as well as a place to carry out aircraft maintenance, repairs and rebuilds. The island, he said, is also an ideal draw for those looking to manufacture lightweight aircraft.
“We also have the advantage of being able to promote ourselves as a hub where the Federal Aviation Administration can carry out its pilot certifications, as we have an FAA-certified institution [offering the service],” he said.
While in Wisconsin, government representatives met with several aviation industry manufacturing companies, including the Light Aircraft Manufacturers Association, Dondi Acrobatics, Signature, Father and Son Ultralight, and the Experimental Aviation Association.
The EDC’s strategy also calls for hosting a “fly-in” of industry representatives in December, participating in the Sun n’ Fun aviation industry gathering in April 2012, taking out ads in industry publications and developing incentives for the general aviation industry, he said.
The Air Venture convention draws an average of 800 exhibitors to its annual events. Last year’s event gathered some 535,000 participants and hosted more than 10,000 planes at the Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
