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Seoul
attracts $2 bil. from 4 US firms in chip, energy sectors
By Yonhap, The Korea Times - Four U.S. companies have committed to
investing a combined 2.8 trillion won ($2 billion) in Korea in the
semiconductor, advanced materials and energy sectors, the industry ministry
said Friday.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and
Resources announced the investment commitments at a ceremony co-hosted by the
Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) in Washington on Sept. 3 (U.S.
time), attended by Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan.
Under the commitments, Air Products, a
U.S. supplier of industrial gases, plans to expand its semiconductor gas
production facilities in Pyeongtaek, just south of Seoul, the ministry said in
a press release.
Chip equipment maker Axcelis also plans
to expand production of ion implantation systems in Korea, strengthening the
role of its Korean facility as an export hub for the Asia-Pacific market.
Corning, a specialty materials company,
will strengthen its manufacturing capabilities and invest in equipment for
advanced materials used in next-generation mobile devices and semiconductors.
Renewable energy company Pacifico Energy
plans to develop a 3.2-gigawatt offshore wind power complex in the southwestern
Jeonnam-Gwangju area, which is expected to host a new semiconductor cluster.
"The government will provide
full-scale support to help these companies establish Korea as an attractive
investment destination and use their projects here as a springboard for
advancing into other global markets," Kim said.
