JEC to build Manila plant

JEC to build Manila plant

TOKYO (UPI): Japan Energy Corp (JEC) said yesterday it has started building a new copper foil company on the outskirts of the Philippine capital of Manila.

The mining and petroleum refining firm said it will open the plant to meet Southeast Asia's heavy demand for the foil, which is used in personal computers and other electronics appliances.

"We chose the Philippines because it is located in the center of the market, and the people there can understand English well," spokeswoman Nami Kondo said. "We have also opened a separate subsidiary there."

The wholly-owned subsidiary GNF (Philippines) Inc. has been set up to oversee the operations of the new plant.

Capitalized at $20 million, the plant is slated to open in early 1998 with a monthly production capacity of 360 tons.