Siam expands business

JAKARTA (JP): Siam Cement Plc. of Thailand and its Indonesian partner PT Satyawada Mitrausaha of the Wings Group have set up a joint venture company to make fiber cement roof tiles and gypsum boards.

Sobsan Ketsuwan, the vice president of the Thai company said yesterday the joint venture's two factories would be able to make 45,000 tons of roof tiles a year and 140,000 tons of gypsum boards a year.

He said the factories, which would cost Rp 113 billion (US$48.09 million) initially, would start production later this year.

"We plan to double capacity by 2000," he said.

Siam Cement, which produces construction material products like roof tiles, pipes, gypsum boards, interior walls and other home-furnishing products, has already set up similar joint ventures in Cambodia, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam. (bnt)