- Published:
- Wednesday 23 October 2019
Victoria’s reputation for high-tech manufacturing jobs is being enhanced, with China’s largest commercial aerospace manufacturer to invest up to $10 million to establish a new research and development centre at the Monash Technology Precinct in Clayton.
The signing of the multi-million dollar partnership between Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), China’s largest aerospace manufacturer, and Monash University was witnessed by Premier Daniel Andrews during a visit to Beijing.
COMAC was launched 11 years ago and has orders for more than 800 c919s – its flagship 168-seater plane - from 28 customers from around the world.
The new research and development centre will bring COMAC to the Monash Technology Precinct in Victoria – a world-class research, business and industrial hub and our state’s largest jobs hub outside of the CBD.
It will strengthen the existing partnership between COMAC and the Monash Centre for Additive Manufacturing, which tests and develops new metal alloys and advanced manufacturing components for commercial aircraft, making them safer and more efficient.
The signing of the deal followed the Premier’s visit to Daxing Airport in Beijing, the biggest airport in the world and projected to also be the busiest in the years ahead.
The size of Daxing Airport provides future opportunities to increase Victorian exports and freight to China, helping grow two-way trade with our biggest trading partner.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This deal brings together one of Victoria’s great research institutions with China’s largest aerospace manufacturer.”
“We support this deal and all the work done by Monash University to make it a reality.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade Martin Pakula
“Innovation and manufacturing are strong in Victoria and these types of partnerships show how creating conditions to enable world-leading research and development can bring real results.”
“Our trusted relationship with China means we are opening up new trade opportunities, helping businesses to grow and creating jobs across the state.”