Published Tuesday, 31 January 2012
He was opening a new multi-million pound engineering centre in Belfast, which will work with universities and business to develop new technologies.
Called the 'NI Advanced Composites and Engineering Centre', it is hoped the £6m facility on Airport Road will give a boost to the local economy.
"We want to shift our economy much more into advanced manufacturing," he told UTV, launching the centre with Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
"Here in Belfast you have really good examples of where that is already happening.
"Each of these centres has its own area of expertise but a common objective to bring together leading academics with dynamic companies and help them with the design and rapid manufacture of high-quality composite products."
Funding for the 3,700 sq m facility was jointly provided by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) through the Strategic Investment Fund, Invest Northern Ireland and Bombardier Aerospace.
It will be co-owned and operated by Queen's University and the University of Ulster.
Ms Foster called the joint venture an example of the importance of collaboration, which she said will be key in driving the engineering sector forward.
"Today's official opening marks an important step in promoting the concept of collaboration that will help shape advanced materials engineering research in the coming years," the DUP minister said.
"This new industry-led centre is about maximising the benefits of the knowledge and skills that already exist in advanced material and composite technologies in Northern Ireland, and enhancing those capabilities to ensure that we stay at the forefront of the global advanced engineering sector.
"I am confident that this is the beginning of a very fruitful venture for all involved."