Canadian plane manufacturer Bombardier will transfer part of its activities from Ireland to Morocco, The Belfast Telegraph reported on August 12.

The Irish newspaper indicated that the firm decided to proceed to the transfer to cut production costs. “It is absolutely critical that we continue to transfer work packages in which we are no longer competitive so we can safeguard the long-term future of our Northern Ireland operations,” the company told the daily.

Situated in the Midparc free-zone at Nouaceur, on the outskirts of Casablanca, Bombardier’s Moroccan plant will manufacture mechanic components for the Canadair regional jet (CRJ) model, a commercial plane.

The Canadian group said it will invest $200 million in the project, which should count 850 employees by 2020.