(Associated Press via NewsEdge) Intel, the world biggest semiconductor company, has started construction on its $1 billion chip assembly and testing plant in Vietnam's southern business hub, a company official said.
The 500,000-square-foot facility was first announced in November. Construction is expected to end by mid-2009.
When operational, the facility is expected to employ 4,000 people, said Rick Howarth, general manager of Intel Products Vietnam. The plant will be Vietnam's first semiconductor facility, and Intel's sixth testing facility in Asia.
Intel earlier announced plans to build a $2.5 billion wafer fabrication plant in Dalian, China.
In 2006, computer and electronic equipment exports earned Vietnam $1.8 billion, up 24% over 2005.
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