Aircraft factory for Vietnam

A Subsidiary of Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries will Monday become the first foreign firm to open an aircraft related manufacturing facility in Vietnam, the plant's general manager told AFP.

MHI Aerospace Vietnam began production of wing flaps for US-based Boeing's 737 passenger aircraft in June, Masateru Akiyama said Thursday.

Mitsubishi Heavy's president, Hideaki Omiya, is to attend Monday's official opening ceremony, Akiyama said.

The US$7 million facility employs more than 50 people and is located in Hanoi's Thang Long Industrial Park, he said, adding that the company aims to build flaps for 10 aircraft per month.

Announcing plans for the factory almost two years ago, Mitsubishi Heavy cited growing price competition and praised Vietnam's 'diligent labour force, robust economy, stable public security and the presence of overseas transport routes.' Vietnam's relatively low wages were 'of course' one reason for the move, Akiyama said.

thanhnien, afp

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