China was a key partner for the Canadian aerospace industry, providing a "unique possibility" for it to gain a competitive advantage in the coming decades, a Bombardier Aerospace executive said Wednesday
"It will be paramount for the Canadian (aerospace) industry to establish international partnerships," Bombardier president and chief operating officer Guy Hachey told the First Canadian Aerospace Summit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Aerospace Industries Association of Canada.
He told over 300 participants that China was consolidating its position as an aerospace manufacturing player.
He said Bombardier had signed a framework agreement with a Chinese company, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Ltd., to establish long-term strategic cooperation on commercial aircraft.
"We are confident this collaboration will leverage the synergies and strengths of both companies to develop mutually beneficial projects," he said.
Hachey also said China was a potential major customer for the Canadian aerospace industry.
Canada is among the top five countries in the aerospace industry, together with France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Bombardier Aerospace, a division of Bombardier Inc., is the third largest airplane manufacturer in the world, after Airbus and Boeing.
