The announcement this week of GE Healthcare’s €150 million investment, which proposes to develop a new biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus for Ringaskiddy, generating 500 new career opportunities for graduates in biopharmaceuticals and 800 jobs during construction, has been welcomed.
Dara Murphy, European Affairs Minister and Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central, said the development will help showcase Cork harbour ‘Pharma Valley’ as a ‘Go-To’ investment location for a new generation of medical science innovators and expanding blue chip Healthcare companies.
Mr Murphy, said: “Cork’s wider local economy has benefited significantly from Cork harbour’s ‘Pharma Valley’ – home to the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies over the past two decades. The fact that GE healthcare has once again chosen Cork as the location for future healthcare manufacturing in the proposed new €150 million investment in Ringaskiddy biopharmaceutical Park, is a testament to the talented local labour force, who provide the essential skills to power the multi-billion global healthcare industry on Leeside.
“GE Healthcare’s major investment in this new generation biopharmaceutical manufacturing campus, KUBio™, is a first for Europe, elevating Cork’s status as a ‘Go-To’ location for new bio-manufacturing investments, by leading innovator healthcare firms, as well as, existing manufacturing plants”, he concluded.
‘SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT’
While Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin also welcomed the announcement, stating “This is a significant investment by GE Healthcare, and demonstrates their commitment to the local community, and to the Cork region. This new venture can become a model for economic development in the city, and the country in general.”
“This announcement must become for the norm for Cork. We have one of the best educated workforces in the world. We have some of the best facilities in the world, and an investment regime that is attractive to global companies. GE Healthcare should be congratulated for continuing to choose Cork. These new jobs will be of significant importance in kick-starting other enterprises in the region,” concluded Mr Martin.
