NI Conservatives’ enterprise spokesman, Johnny Andrews, has welcomed a £2 billion investment from government and business, which aims to put the UK at the forefront of the worldwide aerospace industry. The government is providing over £1 billion for an Aerospace Technology Institute, with industry matching this amount.
“This is great news for a sector which is very important to the Northern Ireland economy”, Johnny noted. “The industry provides 8,000 jobs and £900 million each year locally. Strong support from the Westminster government and a growing industry, based on the very best technology, will mean more jobs and more prosperity for Northern Ireland.”
“The 115,000 jobs which the strategy is aimed at creating will be highly skilled and highly paid. The institute will enable the UK to produce the next generation of aircraft, tailored to the environmental requirements of the 21stcentury. The government should be congratulated for providing genuine help and investment for one of Northern Ireland’s most important industries”.