June 20 (SeeNews) - German manufacturer MTU Aero Engines plans to hire 400 employees during the first phase of the development of its engine repair facility in Serbia, Chief Program Officer Michael Schreyoegg has said.
"We will employ about 400 people in the first phase, but our goal is also to invest in the aerospace cluster to enable other aerospace companies to come to Serbia," Schreyoegg said in a video file posted on the website of Tanjug news agency on Wednesday.
MTU Aero Engines said on Wednesday it has chosen the municipality of Nova Pazova, in northern Serbia, as the location for its new engine repair facility. The new site close to Belgrade airport will be run by MTU Maintenance Serbia d.o.o., a 100% MTU subsidiary to be founded soon, and is expected to be operational over the course of 2022.
"After a very tough competition amongst various countries in Europe, we selected Serbia not only because we think it is a great place to invest, but also because we have an exceptional partnership with the government," Schreyoegg said.
MTU Aero Engines is not in Serbia for a year or for two years, but for decades, he added.
In May, MTU signed a memorandum of understanding with the Serbian government, opening the way for investment in a new plant in the Belgrade region.
MTU Aero Engines produces low-pressure turbines, high-pressure compressors and turbine center frames. It says that around 30% of today’s active aircraft in service worldwide have its components on board, adding it is among the top five service providers for commercial aircraft engines and industrial gas turbines.