To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any conversations she has had with stakeholders in the business community regarding plans to increase the manufacturing sector; and what plans she has for increasing this sector.

Manufacturing is very important to Northern Ireland. Manufacturing businesses employ over 87,000, and contribute *£6.5 Billion to exports. NI is known for its strengths in Aerospace, Materials Handling and Photonics manufacturing.

While Covid-19 has impacted many manufacturing companies, the impact is variable across sectors and has been felt most keenly in aerospace. My economic recovery plan sets out my ambition to rebuild our economy through decisive interventions that deliver higher paid jobs, a highly skilled and agile workforce; and a regionally balanced economy.

My Department and Invest NI continue to work with and support companies to help them increase their manufacturing base through innovation, skills, trade and management development, and with the latest advances in digital manufacturing. My Department and Invest NI are also working with key stakeholders from manufacturing to ensure proposed manufacturing innovation centres within City Deals, meet the needs of the manufacturing industry.

I have closely engaged with representatives of Northern Ireland Industry, Manufacturing NI, MPANI, trade unions and representatives of wider business, and will continue dialogue with these groups so that I fully understand the issues that confront the manufacturing sector, as well as hearing their suggestions and ideas for sectoral growth.

Given the substantial impact the pandemic has had on the aerospace sector, I am also engaged with my Scottish, Welsh and Whitehall counterparts, and with sector organisations such as ADS and the Aerospace Growth Partnership, to look at the needs of aerospace during this difficult time. While there are actions that we can take regionally to support aerospace through the pandemic and into recovery, I and my Executive colleagues, including the First and Deputy First Minister are engaged with Whitehall Ministers to ensure the difficulties faced by NI companies are heard and understood.

I am fully committed to ensuring we build on our manufacturing strengths, seize opportunities to diversify where necessary, and support Northern Ireland companies to scale and compete globally as we recover from the pandemic.

* Northern Ireland Broad Economy Sales and Export Statistics 2018, published 19 December 2019