Jag pointed to increased investment in new production technologies with the Catapult centres playing an important part in their development. He is also seeing investment in the new infrastructure technologies, such as the Internet of Things. He noted the trend for re-shoring in certain sectors, bringing manufacturers closer to their markets as well as major investment in the region by some of the global pharmaceutical and healthcare giants.

Jag also emphasised the importance of education and training and the need for multidisciplinary skills. Today’s manufacturers need engineers with technical expertise but also the know-how to develop and commercialise new products and bring them successfully to market.