Work has begun on a new aircraft parts base in Belfast which will sustain over 800 jobs.
Bombardier Aerospace will manufacture and assemble wings for its 110 to 130 seat C-Series aircraft at the Shorts factory in east Belfast.
The new 600,000 sq ft factory is being built in two phases.
The company claims its design and layout will minimise environmental impact.
Bombardier president Guy Hachey said: "This is another significant milestone in the ongoing development of the C-Series aircraft programme."
The first test wing will be received from Belfast in 2011.
Joining Michael Ryan, vice president and general manager, Bombardier Aerospace Belfast, to lay a special cornerstone was Northern Ireland Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster.
Mr Ryan said: "We are delighted to mark this major investment in a new facility for the production of advanced composite aircraft wings.
"The C-Series aircraft programme will help to build on our track record of almost 40 years' experience in composites technology."
© Press Association