Hot on the heels of an investment deal for Northern Ireland's aerospace industry, experts from the province are today set to continue talks to build on the success story at one of the world's largest air shows.

Canadian aerospace giant Bombardier yesterday revealed details of a deal worth more than half a billion pounds which will see its Belfast workers assemble wings for a new generation of commuter jets.

The investment, the largest ever made by a single company in Northern Ireland, will help secure the medium to long term future of the plant and sustain at least 800 jobs.

The announcement was made at the start of the week-long Farnborough Air Show in Hampshire, where representatives of Northern Ireland's 13 aeronautical firms will hold a series of meetings with key stakeholders and potential customers.

Invest NI will facilitate meetings for seven of the 13 companies at its show stand while trade minister Arlene Foster will attend to lend political support.

"Northern Ireland has a vibrant and diverse aerospace sector, with global customers accessing the expertise of aircraft design and manufacturing firms," said the DUP minister.

"The sector employs over 8,000 people here and generates annual revenue in excess of £800m.

"Invest NI's group stand at the Farnborough Air Show will give participating companies exposure to over 150,000 trade visitors from both the civil and defence aviation sectors. This will provide an excellent opportunity to showcase the high level of expertise that Northern Ireland offers and establish potentially lucrative relationships with international aerospace influencers."

The announcement met with positive reactions from local figures.

Employment and Learning Minister Sir Reg Empey said: "To land this project, which has been in the mix since the last period of devolution, is a tremendous achievement for the management and workforce at Belfast.

"The fact that the wings are to be manufactured in Northern Ireland is the icing on the cake as this is always the most important aspect of any aircraft, with more potential for research and development.

"Lobbying has been going on for seven years, with all politicians pulling together to persuade both Whitehall and the company to take the decision forward.

"The biggest asset Bombardier has in Belfast is a trained and skilled workforce which was critical is securing this work."

Industry expert Jim Ferguson described the investment as "serious money".

"Bombardier build a good aeroplane, the Belfast people know how to build aeroplanes," he said.

"They will build an absolutely splendid wing.

"There is a very skilled workforce in Belfast, a well-respected workforce and they produce a good product.

"It is good for the economy because behind every one of these 800 workers will be two or three other people in other jobs."