NSW Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner, Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor and NSW Member for Burrinjuck Katrina Hodgkinson have congratulated Cowra’s Brumby Aircraft on the sale of 280 aircraft to China.

A further 80 aircraft will be sold to Australia and New Zealand.

A delegation from the giant Chinese aircraft manufacturer, AVIC (Aviation Industry Corporation of China) today signed a 40 year contract for a joint venture with Brumby at a ceremony at Parliament House in Sydney attended by Deputy Premier and Minister for Trade and Investment Andrew Stoner.

Mr Stoner said the deal was a vote of confidence in Brumby and regional NSW. “This is a fantastic deal that will help not only create local jobs and grow the local economy, but will also improve our State’s ties with one of our largest trading partners,” Mr Stoner said.

Mr Taylor said the lucrative deal would put Brumby Aircraft on the world stage. “I am often speaking about the enormous opportunities for Australian companies in fast growing Asian markets. This is where we see our trading future - in Asia and particularly in China – and I am delighted a local firm is stepping up to show other Australian companies the way forward,” Mr Taylor said.

Ms Hodgkinson congratulated Brumby Aircraft on what would be the start of a massive period of growth. “This agreement means that Brumby will double the size of the factory in Cowra. The design and some of the manufacture of the aircraft will remain at Brumby’s Cowra base, which is an excellent outcome for the local economy, creating more jobs for the region,” Katrina said.

Brumby Aircraft Director Paul Goard said the deal was an opportunity for Brumby to greatly increase its penetration within the Australian aviation industry, as well as target additional international markets. “Our company is leading the way in aircraft design, manufacture and export. With the cash injection from this contract with AVIC, we will expand our marketing reach into New Zealand and then look further afield. The small aircraft that we produce are by far the fastest selling sector of the aviation market, particularly in the US and Europe.

“We have approached a Chinese airline with a view to establishing a flight training facility in Cowra. This will not only expand employment opportunities at Cowra Airport, it will inject substantial funds into Cowra township, as up to 30 Chinese pilots at any one time will be under instruction. The Cowra factory will remain as an R&D facility to develop the four-seat Victa aircraft. We are excited about the enormous growth prospects for our business and our home town. We are expecting to quadruple our staff in Cowra,” Mr Goard said.

Mr Goard thanked the president of AVIC Fujian, Jiang Congping and the delegation for their attendance.