The government of British Columbia has given the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada's Pacific Divistion (AIAC Pacific) $1 million as part of an effort to boost the province's aerospace sector.
This is the first of a total $5 million commitment to the industry, as pledged in the British Columbia government's 2014 budget.
"This announcement is great news for the growing aerospace sector in Canada's west, as the only western-based Canadian OEM [original equipment manufacturer], Viking has long seen the need for this type of support to develop the aerospace industry in our region," said David Curtis, president and CEO of Sydney, B.C.-based Viking Air.
"Asia-Pacific is a key market for Canada's aerospace industry, and companies located on the west coast are perfectly situated to take advantage of this opportunity."
The investment is meant to help B.C. aerospace companies collaborate with each other, expand international trade opportunities and work to access funding.
The aerospace sector in B.C. is a key hub for the Pacific Northwest because of its proximity to both Seattle's assembly and production lines and Asia, said the B.C. government in a release.
The total $5 million will be paid out over five years.
