Birla expands business

JAKARTA (JP): The Birla Group of India, which currently operates four companies in Indonesia, is investing US$50 million this year for the expansion of its businesses here.

The group announced yesterday that part of the investment will be used to expand the production capacity of the group's PT Indo Bharat Rayon, which manufactures rayon fiber in Purwakarta, West Java.

Under its expansion plan, Indo Bharat Rayon, currently operating two production lines, will install another line, so that in can produce up to 250 tons of fiber a day next year.

Barely Group, which has thus far invested $350 million in Indonesia, has total annual sales of about $220 million through its four companies -- PT Indo Bharat Rayon, PT Sunrise Bumi Textiles, PT Elegant Textile Industries and PT Indo Liberty Textiles.

Besides Indonesia, the business group also invests in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Egypt. (01)