Business support organisation Sussex Enterprise has welcomed the Government's announcement it will focus on helping the UK's troubled manufacturing industry after years of neglect.
Chief executive Mark Froud said: "The manufacturing industry accounts for 25 per cent of output and £1.9 billion worth of annual exports in Sussex and is the backbone of our economy.
"The Government needs to nurture manufacturing companies to make sure they survive the current difficulties in the industry.
"Sussex manufacturers generally perform better than the rest of the country, investing more in machinery and training.
"However, more needs to be done and Sussex Enterprise is calling on the Government to produce a package of measures specifically designed to help the industry."
Last week, Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt's admitted the Government had ignored the needs of manufacturers during its first term.
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