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23/01/2009
Multi-Million Pound Deal Welcomed At Thales
Despite a gloomy outlook on the economy nationally - with a UK recession officially confirmed today - there's good news for a specialist engineering company in east Belfast.
Thales Air Defence, formerly Shorts Missile Systems, has won a £200m Ministry of Defence contract and will supply part of the Starstreak missile system to the MoD until 2020.
Commenting, NI Economy Minister Arlene Foster said the deal would "generate significant additional value and see it continue to provide high quality employment".
The company, part of French defence company Thales, employs more than 500 people at its Belfast plant.
"Thales is a highly innovative local company with a strong external sales focus and globally recognised reputation," said the Minister.
"Significant research and development support from Invest NI has been instrumental in helping the company position itself at the forefront of technological capability, leading to this latest major deal," she said, noting the contract is good news for the Northern Ireland economy during what is a challenging period for all sectors.
"It will generate significant additional value and see Thales continue to provide high quality employment well into the future," she said.
Meanwhile, DUP MLA, Robin Newton, whose East Belfast constituency covers Thales - and who is Vice Chairman of the Employment and Learning Committee - has commented on the overall difficulties facing Northern Ireland at this time.
While warmly welcoming the Thales' contract and the added security for the hundreds employed there, he said: "We must also be careful not to fall behind in terms of skills and training provision by ensuring continued uptake of 'upskilling' and apprenticeship programmes, rather than simply managing the increasing levels of unemployment.
See: Britain 'Officially In A Recession'
(BMcC/JM)
Thales Air Defence, formerly Shorts Missile Systems, has won a £200m Ministry of Defence contract and will supply part of the Starstreak missile system to the MoD until 2020.
Commenting, NI Economy Minister Arlene Foster said the deal would "generate significant additional value and see it continue to provide high quality employment".
The company, part of French defence company Thales, employs more than 500 people at its Belfast plant.
"Thales is a highly innovative local company with a strong external sales focus and globally recognised reputation," said the Minister.
"Significant research and development support from Invest NI has been instrumental in helping the company position itself at the forefront of technological capability, leading to this latest major deal," she said, noting the contract is good news for the Northern Ireland economy during what is a challenging period for all sectors.
"It will generate significant additional value and see Thales continue to provide high quality employment well into the future," she said.
Meanwhile, DUP MLA, Robin Newton, whose East Belfast constituency covers Thales - and who is Vice Chairman of the Employment and Learning Committee - has commented on the overall difficulties facing Northern Ireland at this time.
While warmly welcoming the Thales' contract and the added security for the hundreds employed there, he said: "We must also be careful not to fall behind in terms of skills and training provision by ensuring continued uptake of 'upskilling' and apprenticeship programmes, rather than simply managing the increasing levels of unemployment.
See: Britain 'Officially In A Recession'
(BMcC/JM)
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Thales UK Scoops £48m Contract
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17 December 2003
Irish employers anticipate improvement in hiring activity
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Irish employers anticipate improvement in hiring activity
Irish employment confidence is showing signs of recovery, according to results of the Manpower Employment Outlook Survey. For the quarter January to March 2003, the Net Employment Outlook is 3%, which is a modest recovery of 7% points from the previous quarter’s pessimistic outlook.
15 January 2014
New Export Contract Announced For Thales
Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed an export contract worth more than £100m for Thales, with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence. Thales, which is based in Belfast and Crossgar, is a Centre of Excellence for missile design and manufacture within the Thales Group.
New Export Contract Announced For Thales
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25 July 2001
Empey launches report on Social Economy Programme
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16 February 2009
Jobs Boost Minister's 'Steady Hand' On Finance
Good news of the creation of dozens of hi-tech jobs for east Belfast has proved to be well timed. The 40 posts to be created at the Thales arms company in east Belfast, along with another 15 jobs at an online gaming company at a base in Co Down, has lent weight to the NI Finance Minister's claims to be able to 'steer NI through recession'.
Jobs Boost Minister's 'Steady Hand' On Finance
Good news of the creation of dozens of hi-tech jobs for east Belfast has proved to be well timed. The 40 posts to be created at the Thales arms company in east Belfast, along with another 15 jobs at an online gaming company at a base in Co Down, has lent weight to the NI Finance Minister's claims to be able to 'steer NI through recession'.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
