CO-OPERATION and diversification - these are the key messages for the future if Hampshire's defence and aero-space industries are to remain competitive on the world stage.

More than 100 businesses and organisa-tions heard that partnership will be at the heart of future competitiveness, when they met in Winchester at an event organised by the Hampshire Economic Partnership defence task group and the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium.

On the agenda was an insight into the programmes available through the Department of Trade and Industry for defence-dependent businesses, the implications of increasing digital technology, the future role of the Defence Diversification Agency and plans for the formation of a new "trading entity" for small and medium-sized businesses.

Delegates also heard about the sup-port available through Hampshire Training & Enterprise Council and business Link Hampshire. Malcolm Crocker, pictured, HEP task group leader and chief executive of Gosport Borough Council, said: "Defence is a vital component in the Hampshire economy and so it is critical that we provide our businesses with the support they require to maximise future opportunities.

"It is clear that we are in a period of radical change both in the structure of the market-place and the way in which business is being done, particularly with regard to supply-chain relationships. In these circumstances we must share knowledge, work closely with organisations such as the Defence Diversification Agency and create the right framework of support. In this way, our defence and aerospace industries will remain competitive on the world stage."

Among the initiatives under way is the formation of a trading entity by the Farnborough Aerospace Consortium to enable small and medium-sized businesses to link to take part in tendering opportunities for major aerospace contracts.

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