Rumania to produce Barbie

Rumania to produce Barbie

BUCHAREST, Romania (AP): The world largest toymaker, Mattel Inc., will begin producing its famous Barbie doll in Romania early next year.

Mattel signed a contract Friday with Rumanian toy factory Aradeanca to produce 100,000 dolls in 1998.

Mattel has offices in 36 countries. Recently, it scrapped its contracts with two plants in China that refused to meet company- mandated safety procedures. It also stopped work with an Indonesian plant accused of using low-paid workers as young as 13.

Barbies in Rumania are currently imported from the United States and western Europe. The dolls cost almost US$22, much more than the average Rumanian, whose monthly salary is $91, can afford.