Minister Paradis Welcomes Investment in Dalhousie University as Part of Industrial and Regional Benefits From Boeing Contracts

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 6, 2011) - Today, following an announcement by The Boeing Company concerning its research and development investment with Dalhousie University, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Industry, issued the following statement:

"The key to success in this global industry is the pursuit of innovative new ways to do business, and the catalyst to this is a steady investment in research and development. Today's announcement is a prime example of research and industry working together.

"I am thrilled to see economic benefits coming to the Atlantic region as a result of this investment. The relationship between Boeing and Dalhousie University is an excellent example of the Industrial and Regional Benefits (IRB) Policy at its finest—generating collaboration in research and development that will benefit Canada's aerospace industry as a whole, while strengthening Canada's competitiveness in the global market.

"The investment announced today is just a snapshot of the types of activities that have been generated through the IRB Policy. Canada is on track to benefit from more than $20 billion in related investments with Canadian industry and research institutions, and this number will continue to grow."

Boeing's investment will fund research and development projects, ranging from visual and text analytics, to mobile graphics that will improve manufacturing processes, to advanced materials development that will extend the lifetime of aircraft parts.